Sound Production and Music Direction (N0215A310032)

Programme objectives

The objective of the programme is to train versatile experts focused either on the Sound Design specialisation or the Music Directing specialisation, who are capable of practically handling and independently realising the most demanding sound recordings, from preparation to post-production and at a high technical and artistic level. The main education takes place in the area of recording acoustic music with a focus on classical and jazz music.

Another goal is to train highly qualified artists with the ability to process vocal and instrumental footage, as well as chamber and orchestral music at a professional level in cooperation with e.g. the Department of Music Production, the Department of Composition (for experimental projects), or other faculties and institutions (FAMU; Academy of Arts, Architecture & Design in Prague (UMPRUM); Faculty of Arts, Charles University), and who are ready to engage in all types of recording production activities. Projects are included in the subject Practice of Sound Design and Music Directing.

Both specialisations aim over the course of four semesters to deepen the student’s artistic and technical level of expertise in the field. Students also become acquainted with the procedures of artistic research, which is partially addressed in term papers aimed at clarifying the selection of a suitable topic for the final written thesis and graduate artistic performance. There is also an option to engage in scholarly research in cooperation with the Musical Acoustics Research Centre (MARC).

The programme is focused on perfecting the skills of the individual, as well as on building recording teams.

The goal of the Master’s programme is to enable students to acquire the deeper theoretical knowledge required for a professional career in the field, and to enable them to become actively involved in the most demanding internal and external projects. External collaboration involves procuring acoustic recordings of symphonic ensembles such as the Prague Philharmonia (PKF), the Czech Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Pardubice, the North Czech Philharmonic, the Hradec Králové Philharmonic (FHK) and others. The projects are increasingly demanding and aim toward graduates’ future professional employment. They include recordings of chamber and symphonic music, concert live streams, and mixing and mastering of footage. Participation in external projects is mandatory and publication of at least one output is required in the position of (assistant) music director or (assistant) sound master.

The programme also places emphasis on sound formats applicable in modern media, as well as on the aesthetics of sound design. Students have long had the opportunity to listen to Czech Radio, the Czech National Symphony Orchestra and the Pilsen Philharmonic. In pedagogical collaboration, they have the opportunity to hear prominent soloists and chamber ensembles, and they are able to attend most of the activities held in the HAMU Sound Studio.

The study plan also includes free-form artistic work, which supports students’ artistic and creative development in the area of sound design, acoustic signal processing and electroacoustic composition, including MIDI environments and programming. Intensive daily preparation and participation in exercises, seminars and practical experience are expected, as is the preparation and execution of the graduate artistic performance in cooperation with HAMU (external projects are not excluded).

Profile of a programme graduate

The programme of study is conceived in such a way so that the graduate will become a purposeful, artistically and professionally accomplished personality with the ability to independently act, make decisions and formulate arguments. The graduate demonstrates skill in designing the most demanding artistic sound recordings, broadcasts and sound engineering for live performances with an emphasis on classical music.

The graduate has been prepared to apply his or her specialist knowledge in practice, to become involved in education, and possibly to leverage his or her acquired professional potential by pursuing a further qualification in the area of psychoacoustic research at the doctoral level.

Specialist knowledge

The graduate of the Sound Design and Music Directing programme demonstrates deep knowledge and understanding of the practical, theoretical, technical and artistic aspects of the sound design process and the contemporary scope of the field. He or she understands the possibilities of the given conditions and limitations, and makes use of findings from related areas (music theory, music production, promotion, psychology, etc.).

The graduate has extensive knowledge of the field from the point of view of historical development in both the international and domestic contexts, as well as comprehensive knowledge of the musical repertoire of various stylistic periods and instrumental arrangements.

The graduate has basic knowledge in the area of copyright law, legal and economic aspects of musical life, and publishing law with a practical focus on making musical recordings pursuant to valid legislation.

The graduate is familiar with the media industry and its links to other segments of the music industry, including alternative music platforms, social networks and online music broadcasting.

He or she has a realistic notion of possible career paths in his field and specialisation with respect to existing institutions and pedagogical activities, and is qualified to work in all levels of artistic education.

The graduate demonstrates knowledge of advanced artistic and possibly also scholarly research processes enabling him or her to obtain new original information.

The graduate is able to suitably and sensitively apply in practical innovations the latest findings from the literature, from his or her own projects, and from foreign internships.

Specialist skills

The graduate is able to implement projects of various orientations with respect to the recording technologies used and to the final product – an audio recording.

The graduate can independently and creatively solve complex problems using the appropriate theories, concepts and methods of the field, which he or she can independently define and implement. The graduate has practical control over simultaneous workflows in a multi-channel digital recording process, working either independently or in team collaboration.

The graduate applies broad theoretical knowledge with an awareness of limiting situations in the given area of use. The graduate is able to improvise in unexpected situations and to creatively find suitable solutions using procedures that he or she safely controls and which lead to an expected result. The graduate correctly estimates how the situation will develop while applying various recording methods (e.g. studio or live footage), and appropriately implements work procedures appropriate to the real situation. While fulfilling an assigned task, the graduate maintains a high artistic and technical standard of work.

General competencies

The programme graduate is able make independent and responsible decisions in a real, changing environment with a view to the consequences of such decisions. He or she is able to define assignments in contemporary contexts, to coordinate them, and to bear the final responsibility for the result of the project and teamwork.

The graduate is able to independently, purposefully and efficiently plan and structure his or her own work, to communicate with the recording crew, other team members and the musicians, and to reflect on specialist criticism.

The graduate is able to comprehensibly communicate acquired knowledge to the expert and lay public in the form of articles, reviews and critiques.

He or she is prepared to acquire additional specialist knowledge, skills and competencies by planning, supporting and directing practical projects and by making use of theoretical findings. The programme graduate is prepared for collaborations on recording projects domestically and with international participation, and is able to cultivate working relationships in the field and across disciplines.

General information about admission process

For the programme of study in Sound Design and Music Directing (with specialisations in Sound Design or Music Directing), the precise requirements of the aptitude tests are published for each academic year. 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.

An admissions proceeding has been organised for this continuing Master’s programme and its specialisations, which consists of several rounds and will take place in person online before the examination committee.

The requirements of the aptitude tests have been set in such a way so that applicants must meet standards reflecting those met by a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Sound Design and Music Directing. Applicants who have completed other related Bachelor’s programmes, provided they meet the minimum technical and artistic requirements of the admissions proceeding for the continuing Master’s programme with a specialisation in Sound Design or Music Directing, may in exceptional cases acquire the required knowledge from the Bachelor’s programme curriculum within the scope of elective subjects.

Examples of programmes related to the specialisation in Music Directing: Bachelor’s programmes in Conducting, Composition.

Examples of programmes related to the specialisation in Sound Design: Bachelor’s programmes at FAMU, Czech Technical University in Prague (CTU), Brno University of Technology (BUT).

The examination committee has the right to interrupt the course of the entrance examination at any time.