Music Theory (8201T095)

master's programme qualification

Specific admission requirements:

During the entrance examination, the candidate must submit his or her work hitherto in the field of Music Theory (an extensive written work, papers and essays independently addressing a music-theoretical issue), and defend them in a scholarly debate. The candidate must also present and defend a proposal for the Master´s thesis.

As part of the admissions process, candidates from other universities will be examined for the knowledge, skills and prerequisites necessary to ensure a scholarly level comparable to that of a graduate of the Bachelor´s programme in Music Theory at the Music and Dance Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU).

Specific arrangements for recognition of prior learning:

The programme does not have any specific requirements for the recognition of prior learning. The procedure for recognition at AMU is governed by Articles 89 and 90 of the Act on Higher Education Institutions No. 111/1998 Coll., as amended, and by the AMU Attendance and Examination Regulations.

Qualification requirements and regulations

Graduation from the Bachelor´s programme in Music Theory at HAMU, or at another university.

Regulations: The Czech education system is governed by the Act on Higher Education Institutions, as amended (Act No. 111/98 Coll.), and by the internal regulations of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Field of study characterization

Music theory is a practically oriented musicological discipline focused on the study and systematic interpretation of the structure of the musical language, its components, aspects and their internal organising relationships. It is closely linked to compositional and interpretive music practice. This link is the reason why it is studied at university-level arts schools as opposed to the broader and more general conception of Music Studies cultivated in universities arts faculties and oriented mainly toward music history and music aesthetics.

Building on the Bachelor´s programme, the continuing Master´s programme in the field of Music Theory is focused on further deepening students, knowledge of the systematics of music theory and its disciplines, and of music-theoretical analysis all with an accent on an independent, individual, creative and inventive approach to the selected research topics. Students participate in team grant projects within the scope of the department´s research topics, and their responsibilities also include active participation in music-theoretical conferences organised by the Faculty.

The core of the programme at the Master´s level is formed by the main subject of Music Theory - Systematics, and is supplemented by the subject Music Theory ? Special Topic (the basic thematic areas of both subjects are: music theory?s place in the constellation of musicological and other related disciplines, new tasks and prospects in the field of music theory, significant personalities and titles in modern world and Czech music theory and their analysis and comparison, music-theoretical reflections on new music, and independent research work in developing and applying music theory in practice). Other core subjects include Analysis of a Music-Theoretical Text, Organology, and for all students in the programme the joint Seminar in Music Theory. This is supplemented by subjects of a broader theoretical scope: Musical Aesthetics and Seminar in Musical Aesthetics.

Key learning outcomes:

Ability to perform independent research work in developing and applying music theory in compositional, interpretive, music-pedagogical, musicological and other practice, as well as the cultivation of an individual creative and inventive approach to developing music theory itself, applying acquired knowledge, an overview of the methods of music-theoretical systematics and analysis of the musical language of various stylistic epochs and cultures up to the present day.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples:

A graduate of the continuing Master´s programme has mastered the ability to perform independent research work applying music theory in compositional, interpretive, music-pedagogical, musicological and other practice, as well as the cultivation of an individual creative and inventive approach to developing the field of music theory itself. These skills can be applied as a scientific researcher in the field of musicology and as an instructor of scholarly music-theoretical subjects at the secondary (conservatories, musical academic high schools) and university level.

A greduate is prepared and equipped for possible further continuation in the field at the doctoral level, assuming a fully independent, creative and inventive individual approach to developing the systematics and methods of music-theoretical work.

Access to further studies:

The doctoral programme in Music Theory at the Music and Dance Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU), doctoral programmes in the arts or education faculties of other universities.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading:

Studies are assessed by credits and examinations stipulated by study plans.

The credit is an ungraded form of assessment of studies. It is allocated upon fulfilment of requirements stipulated for individual subjects and is recorded in the information system with the word „Credited“ (Z). An examination is a graded form of assessment of studies, which tests knowledge and level of creativity in the relevant subject. Examinations are graded on the scale „A, B, C, D, E, F“. In the main subjects, examinations are administered by a commission. At the end of each year, students undergo an examination before a committee of the Department of Music Theory and History, during which they present, comment and defend their written outputs from all subjects of the core field.

Graduation requirements:

The student fulfils the requirements of the study plan and passes the State Master´s Examination.

The State Master´s Examination consists of the following parts:

-the Master?s diploma thesis and its defence;

-the subject of Music Theory;

-the subject of Aesthetics.

Mode of study:

full-time

Qualification director or equivalent:

Vladimír TICHÝ

Field of study is part of study programme:

• Art of Music – (N8201)

Study plans of qualification:

• Music Theory (Mg)