Music Theory (8201R095)

bachelor's programme qualification

Specific admission requirements:

Thorough knowledge of the history of music and music-theoretical disciplines: harmony, counterpoint, musical forms, musical instruments and intonation at the level of a conservatory graduate. Strong orientation in the systematics and terminology of classical harmony, proficiency in harmonic analysis, ability to harmonise a given melody in practice, ability to elaborate a given basso continuo, practical knowledge of the counterpoint techniques of vocal and instrumental polyphony, strong orientation in the systematics and terminology of musical forms and genres. Practical ability to play a keyboard instrument (benchmark playing).

The entrance examination consists of a written part and an oral part.

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

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. 111/98 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.

The Bachelor´s programme is focused on systematically deepening classic music-theoretical disciplines, on the genesis and development of music-theoretical systems, on their comparison and on mastering basic analytical methods. Important components of the programme include working with music material (note texts, recordings, etc.) as well as with the foreign and domestic scholarly literature in music theory.

The core of the programme at the Bachelor´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: the concept of music theory, the subject of music-theoretical research, working methods of music theory, the relationship between music theory and practice, traditional disciplines in European music theory). Other core subjects include Analysis of a Music-Theoretical Text, Theory of Composition, and for all students in the programme the joint Seminar in Music Theory. This is supplemented by subjects of a broader theoretical scope: Study of Compositions, Fundamentals of Composing Technique, Ethnomusicology, History of Music and Music Acoustics.

Key learning outcomes:

Mastery of the methods of music-theoretical systematics and analysis, acquisition and deepening of practical skills in the technique of analysing the musical language of various stylistic epochs up to the present, an overview of the methods of music-theoretical work in the area of analytical, synthetic and systematic theory applied in compositional and interpretive practice.

Occupational profiles of graduates with examples:

A graduate of the Bachelor´s programme has mastered the methods of music-theoretical systematics and analysis, and is able and prepared to apply them in team musicological work or (after studying the relevant pedagogical disciplines) in pedagogical work at primary and secondary music schools. He or she is prepared and equipped for possible further studies in the field of Music Theory in the continuing Master´s programme, assuming a relatively independent, creative and inventive individual approach to developing the systematics and methods of music-theoretical work.

Access to further studies:

The continuing Master´s programme in Music Theory at the Music and Dance Faculty of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU), 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 the first year, students undergo an examination before the Dean´s College, where they demonstrate their abilities to master the study programme in all its breadth. On this occasion, they present, comment and defend their written outputs from all subjects of the core field.

At the end of each year, they undergo a similar examination before a committee of the Department of Music Theory and History.

Graduation requirements:

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

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

-the Bachelor?s thesis and its defence;

-the subject of Music Theory - Systematics;

-the subject of History of Music.

Mode of study:

full-time

Qualification director or equivalent:

Vladimír TICHÝ

Field of study is part of study programme:

• Art of Music – (B8201)

Study plans of qualification:

• Music Theory (Bc)