Composition (N0215A310018)

Programme objectives

The Master’s programme in Composition is focused in particular on shaping students’ individuality and on forming a distinctive artistic style and views. Emphasis is placed on understanding the contemporary situation in the field, and one’s own position within it. Compared to the Bachelor’s programme, the technical exercises are more narrowly focused on specifically addressing students’ distinctive creative aims. Groups of elective subjects then enable students to develop individual profiles across three basic areas – composition for acoustic instruments, electro-acoustic music, and film music – and their intersections, which are inherent to the current state of the field. This is also related to the greater depth of the education provided in the area of working with modern technologies in various phases of composition activity. Greater depth is also provided in theory, and in developing students’ ability to apply their knowledge to critical reflection on artistic practice.

Profile of a programme graduate

Graduates of the continuing Master’s programme in Composition are distinctive creative individuals. They are well oriented in contemporary music events and are able to perform independent composition work with clearly defined and stylistically distinctive characteristics. Through their nimbleness, technical certainty, responsibility in submitting work, orientation in the prevailing currents of contemporary music, and ability to view these currents in the broader historical and cultural context, programme graduates are predestined for careers in contemporary music or a number of related areas.

Specialist knowledge

Programme graduates are oriented in the wide spectrum of contemporary music production and react to it in a creative manner. They are familiar with music operations as well as in cultural operations generally, and are able to actively participate in them. They are able to provide highly relevant argumentation in relation to the prevailing music-theoretical and creative discourses. Programme graduates also have a basic familiarity with copyright law, financial literacy and grant policies.

Specialist skills

Programme graduates are able to perform independent composition work with differentiated and stylistically distinctive traits. They are able to work independently and creatively with modern technologies, including software for working with sound, to create notographically professional and stylistically appropriate graphic representations of musical scores, and to use musical notation software with a high level of proficiency. Programme graduates are able to work in teams and to initiate teamwork, e.g. in producing music performances, creating interdisciplinary works, etc.

General competencies

Programme graduates possess systematic, analytical and process skills, and the ability to independently and methodically adhere to them. They demonstrate a strong aptitude for self-motivation and self-discipline, including self-study in preparation for future education with a view to a sustainable career path. They use various technical means in their own musical production and to promote their professional profiles. They communicate effectively and come across as confident, trustworthy personalities. They are able to use current information technologies for professional communication and presentation.

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 optional subjects Pedagogy, Psychology and Didactics / Teaching Practical in Composition.

Rules and requirements for creating study plans

General information about admission process

The admissions proceeding consists of two rounds: a correspondence round and an in-person round. In the correspondence round, the applicant must demonstrate the systematicity and professional level of his or her composition work. In the in-person round, the applicant undergoes an aptitude test as well as a test of technical knowledge, abilities and predispositions on the level of a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Composition at HAMU. Applicants shall submit relevant outputs from their previous studies or elaborate short essays on historical and modern composition techniques and electro-acoustic music. During the course of the motivational discussion with the admissions committee, applicants shall also be tested on their theoretical and overall cultural-historical knowledge.

The admissions proceeding is structured as follows:

Round 1 – correspondence

The Master’s programme applicant is required, within seven days from the application deadline, to send his or her composition portfolio for the past three years, including a selection of representative scores, in electronic form (PDF format) and any recordings (WAV or MP3 format or functional links) by e-mail to prijimacky_k.skladby@hamu.cz. In the event of questions or for clarification with respect to the required materials, it is possible to contact the Department of Composition by e-mail on sekretariat.k101@hamu.cz.

The admissions committee shall assess and evaluate these materials, and vote (pass/fail) on whether individual applicants shall advance to the next round of the admissions proceeding. In the event of a “fail”, the admissions proceeding shall conclude. In the event of a “pass”, the Department shall invite the applicant to the in-person part of the admissions proceeding.

Materials sent after the deadline will not be included in the admissions proceeding. Failure to submit materials by the stipulated deadline shall be deemed non-fulfilment of the requirements for round 1, and the admissions proceeding shall conclude.

Round 2 – in-person

This round will take place on one day or on two consecutive days depending on the number of registered applicants. It consists of two parts – a practical part and an oral part. The final score will be evaluated after the conclusion of the second part.

Part 1 – practical

A test of knowledge, abilities and aptitudes at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Composition at HAMU according to the following assignments:

1. Elaboration of a short essay on historical compositions (G.P. da Palestrina, J.S. Bach) and twelve-note technique (series, quaternion and dodecaphonic invention from this material in the style of the Second Viennese School).
2. Elaboration of a short sound composition (c. 1 minute) on the applicant’s own computer, or in the Department of Composition’s electro-acoustic music laboratory (ProTools, Cubase, Reaper or other platform by individual arrangement) from a piece of sound material which the applicant will receive. The technical parameters of the work can be specified upon request.

Applicants can send materials for the practical part of the in-person round in advance (in electronic form), or elaborate them at HAMU using the Department’s technical equipment on the day of the entrance examination. The committee shall evaluate the materials and recognise or not recognise the individual items (1-2) of the practical part of the in-person round as satisfied.

Part 2 – oral

1. Submission of a set of compositions composed in the last three years.
2. Submission of a music-theoretical paper (c. 20 pages, can be a supplemental paper for a Bachelor’s degree).

The admissions committee will conduct a specialist motivational discussion with the applicant on a wide spectrum of questions concerning composition, music-theoretical disciplines and the applicant’s overall music-historical outlook. The length of the applicant’s presentation should not exceed 30 minutes (including the presentation of the compositions and commentary). The total length of the presentation and the interview should not exceed 60 minutes.

The admissions committee shall assess the applicant with an overall grade, which takes into consideration an assessment of outstanding compositional talent, developed general music ability, compelling proficiency in compositional techniques, deep knowledge of music-theoretical disciplines, and general cultural knowledge – all minimally at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor’s programme in Composition at HAMU.

After the completion of round 2, 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 Composition 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.

If not enough applicants receive the required number of points, the admissions target will not be met.

Applicability to other types of academic programmes

Parts of the state final examination and their contents

Other academic duties

Characterisation of professional practice

Anticipated job placement for graduates (typical employment)