Composition (8201R080)

bachelor's programme qualification

Specific admission requirements:

Entrance examination:

a) a practical aptitude test - presentation of compositions, demonstration of talents and technical abilities:

1) submission of one´s own compositions as scores (or in corresponding graphic form) and their performance on the piano or other instrument, or from a recording;

2) ability to analyse one´s own compositions and those of others;

3) a written examination: test of practical skill and extemporaneity in harmony (harmonising with a given melody) and in counterpoint (composing a Baroque fugue). Both without the use of a piano; a test of musical creativity based on an assignment (a short study); candidates for the Bachelor´s programme may be granted an exemption on the basis of presented compositional studies;

4) playing the piano: 3 etudes of the candidate´s choice and 2 elocutionary compositions; it is not necessary to play from memory; the test of practical piano ability is part of the aptitude test in the main field and is revelatory in character; Candidates for the Bachelor´s programme do not undergo this test;

b) candidates for the Bachelor´s programme who passed the practical aptitude test will undergo an oral examination on the history of music and on harmony (analyses); an exemption is granted for the other disciplines of music theory if the candidate demonstrates that the final evaluation for the subjects in question on the transcript of the conservatory or GJN in Prague with a musical specialisation, does not show a mark of worse than 2.

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 (Articles 8, 14, 18).

Qualification requirements and regulations

A completed secondary or a completed secondary vocational education; exceptionally, it is also possible to admit candidates without a completed secondary, a completed secondary vocational or higher vocational education at a conservatory.

Regulations: The Czech education system is governed by the Act on Higher Education Institutions, as amended (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.), and by the internal regulations of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague.

Field of study characterization

In the main field of Composition, the instruction grants to the student latitude in stylistic direction, but requires extemporaneity, technical certitude, responsibility in handing in work and possibly also the ability to understand and make use of various expressions of applied genres and types of music in the student?s work. For the duration of the programme, the student is developed and cultivated mainly by the pedagogue of the main subject in individual lessons (2 hours of instruction per week at the Bachelor?s level and 3 instructional hours per week at the Bachelor?s level). In addition, the department places great emphasis on students? well-founded general and specific scholarly informedness, which helps them to search for and find distinctive paths in artistic practice. The instruction of composers is divided into several mutually interconnected wholes which participate in shaping students? artistic and human qualities. Emphasis is also placed on the creative mastery of present-day digital technologies in compositional practice.

Study tasks are selected for students in individual years according to their level of compositional maturity.

At the Bachelor?s level, they proceed from smaller chamber music formations to medium-sized ensembles, which is usually the subject of the Bachelor?s diploma task.

Key learning outcomes:

Mastery of composing technique in modern and traditional composing styles including component disciplines; ability to independently create a musical work meeting the requirements of an autonomous musical form; mastery of the fundamentals and common practice with modern technologies (notational programs, the basics of electroacoustic production); orientation in the contemporary directions of musical creation and creative reaction to them; orientation in musical and cultural operations and the ability to participate actively in them; ability to formulate arguments in theoretical and creative discussions about composition on a professional level.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples:

A graduate of the Bachelor?s programme has mastered composing technique in modern and traditional composing styles including component disciplines; is able to independently create a musical work meeting the requirements of an autonomous musical form; has mastered the fundamentals and common practice with modern technologies (notational programs, the basics of electroacoustic production); is oriented in the contemporary directions of musical creation and reacts to them in a creative manner; is oriented in musical and cultural operations and is capable of participating actively in them; is able to formulate arguments in composition-theoretical and creative discussions on a professional level.

Access to further studies:

The Master?s programme in the field of Composition.

Examination regulations, assessment and grading:

Studies are assessed by credits and examinations stipulated by study plans. The student is informed of these through the information system.

The student registers for examinations using the information system, and is entitled to a second and third attempt to pass an examination. If neither of these attempts proves successful, the Dean may in exceptional cases permit a fourth attempt (administered by a commission). It is not permitted to repeat an examination for the main subjects or to repeat written examinations.

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. In the main subjects, examinations are administered by a commission. An examination may be practical, written, oral, or involve a combination of these methods. Examinations are graded on the scale „A, B, C, D, E, F“.

Graduation requirements:

The student fulfils the requirements set by the study plan.

The student passes the final state examination.

A condition of advancement to the Bachelor?s examination is the elaboration of the diploma composing task (diploma composition) as a score or different corresponding final form of the diploma composition (performance is assumed but not a condition). Its defence is part of the state examination in the field of Composition.

An additional requirement is the elaboration of a supplemental theoretical written work in accordance with an assigned topic (its defence is also part of the state examination in the field of Composition).

The State Bachelor?s Examination consists of the following parts:

- the diploma work and its defence (a composition and a theoretical written work);

- Composition Theory.

Mode of study:

full-time

Qualification director or equivalent:

Hanuš BARTOŇ

Field of study is part of study programme:

• Art of Music – (B8201)

Study plans of qualification:

• Composition (Bc)