Woodwind and Brass Instruments (N0215A310022)

Programme objectives

The objective of the programme is to prepare highly qualified musicians who possess a significant degree of skill in interpreting the solo, chamber and orchestral literature. The Master’s programme augments the curriculum studied in the Bachelor’s programme. It develops and systematises skills and knowledge concerning the presentation of students’ skills in chamber ensembles, orchestras and solo performances. The programme is focused on mastery of a wide range of the most technically challenging repertoire, as well as on developing the student’s individual musical expression and capacity for critical self-reflection, flawless command of instrumental technique and knowledge of a broad spectrum of interpretative approaches. The student is also led to synthetically interconnect artistic practice and acquired knowledge concerning the problems of the organisation and structure of music operations.

Profile of a programme graduate

The graduate has mastered the advanced skill of selecting the optimal interpretive approach to the given repertoire, and can substantiate his or her decisions with relevant arguments. The graduate performs as a versatile and accomplished artistic personality capable of masterful, original and compelling musical expression in interpretations of highly challenging, extensive and stylistically heterogeneous repertoire. The graduate is able to independently, purposefully and efficiently plan and structure his or her own work.

Specialist knowledge

Graduates of the Wind Instruments programme possess comprehensive knowledge of the Czech and world repertoires in their specialisations, and demonstrate a high standard in creating and delivering seamless musical experiences and interpretations. They develop, present and execute artistic programmes which are coherent and appropriate for various contexts. They have an in-depth understanding of the musician’s role in contemporary society, and they explore, are engaged in and contemplate specific relevant professional work environments and contexts. They have an overview of the regimen and function of music in society, and are familiar with the basic concepts and terminology of the existing model of music operations. They have basic knowledge in the area of copyright law, legal and economic aspects of musical life, and publishing law with a practical focus on the possible organisation of concerts or recordings and making adaptations to a protected work pursuant to valid legislation. They are familiar with the media industry and its links to other segments of the music industry, including the ever-growing role of social networks and online music broadcasting.

Specialist skills

Graduates of the Wind Instruments programme effectuate music at a high professional level (technically and interpretatively masterful expression), and they express their own artistic concepts on the level of an accomplished musical personality. Within the scope of their specialisation, they have mastered sophisticated skills of the craft with respect to repertoire, style, genre, etc. They demonstrate breadth and/or depth of expertise in their specialisation, as well as proficiency in a number of styles and/or a distinctive and individual expressiveness in one particular style. Publicly, they execute high-quality artistic performances in the role of a solo, chamber, or orchestral player. They understand their field in depth with respect to the relevant career path and opportunities, and on this basis they identify and formulate strategies for developing collaborations.

They engage in a high level of critical self-reflection with respect to their own learning style, skills and strategies. They are able to apply their knowledge of the organisation and structure of music operations in their own artistic practice.

General competencies

Graduates of the Wind Instruments programme demonstrate independence in all aspects of learning and social interaction, and in recognising opportunities. They are able to integrate knowledge obtained from various contexts and perspectives. They recognise the relationships between theory and practice, and use this knowledge to support and strengthen their own artistic development. They have mastered the presentation skills appropriate for all aspects of their practice and activity. They engage and share information with expert and lay musicians and audiences across a broad spectrum of society; they are aware of individual and/or group reactions to this information and are able to respond appropriately.

They have a positive attitude and willingly engage in lifelong personal and professional development. Students also have the opportunity at any time during their studies to sit for a state examination in pedagogical competency. A prerequisite for taking this state examination is completion of the relevant optional subjects: Pedagogy, Psychology and Didactics / Teaching Practical.

General information about admission process

An admissions proceeding has been organised for all specialisations (Bassoon, Flute, Oboe, French Horn, Trombone, Trumpet, Tuba) of the continuing Master’s programme in Wind Instruments, which takes the form of an in-person aptitude test.

Aptitude test

The precise requirements of the aptitude tests are published for each specialisation and academic year, and consist of a specific programme (a designation of required compositions and compositions selected by the applicant, of whether these compositions must be played from memory, etc.) which is selected in such a way so as to enable the applicant to demonstrate his or her extraordinary aptitudes for the Master’s programme.

These requirements are updated each year and posted in the relevant parts of the Studies section on the faculty website, and thus they are also available to prospective HAMU applicants.

The aptitude test shall take place in person before the examination committee, where the applicant shall perform the stipulated programme. The examination committee has the right to designate which of the required compositions the applicant shall perform. The examination committee has the right to interrupt individual compositions at any time.

The admissions committee evaluates the applicant with a comprehensive score, which includes the evaluations of aptitude and instrumental dispositions, especially embouchure dispositions and the expectation of their development, manual skills, including fingering and tongue techniques – staccato, tone setting, legato, dynamics, acoustic imagination, stylistic sensibility, memory disposition and individual interpretive contribution – all at least at the level of a Bachelor’s programme graduate.

After the aptitude test, the admissions committee shall rank individual applicants according to their average scores and shall recommend for admission those applicants who ranked within the admissions target and who earned the minimum score for the individual specialisations of the Wind Instruments programme of study.

The requirements of the admissions proceeding, including designation of the method by which points are awarded, their range and the admissions target, are defined for each academic year by a relevant Decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the academic senate of the faculty.