Advanced Studies in Composition

Admission requires a Bachelor's Degree in Music with 80 ECTS credits in subjects related to composition. The student will be concentrating on developing her individuality as a composer. Applicants for this programme will be evaluated on their potential as composers and artists, and will have to demonstrate the ability to express themselves with artistic perspective in their work. The programme leads to a Master's Degree in Composition. Tuition is in English or Norwegian.

Entrance Examinations
The entrance examinations are in two parts: home assignments followed by interviews at the Academy. The interviews are usually held in the third week of March.

Home assignments:
With the composition assignment the applicant will be given a deadline for submitting all the home assignments.

A) Composition Assignment
The applicant composes a short work (2-5 minutes) based on a sound recording prepared by the Academy. The work can be acoustic – submitted as a score – or realized using digital sound processing – submitted as an audio-CD. In writing the applicant discusses the notions/ideas behind the work and the work process.

B) Project Description
The description shall

• describe the central problems of the applicant’s preferred diploma work
• define/limit the scope of the work
• contain a schedule for the diploma work
• be 2000-6000 characters long

C) Previous Works
The applicant must document at most a total of 5 compositions within 3 genres. (ex. Electro acoustic music, music for solo instrument, chamber music, vocal music, music for larger ensembles, music for orchestra, music for choir or music drama/opera/performance art.)

The works must be submitted as recordings on CD and as score – with the exception of electro acoustic music. The score must be bound; loose sheets of music will not be accepted! The submitted works will not be returned and should therefore be copies.

The scores and recordings must be clearly marked with

• the applicant’s name
• title
• year of composition
• duration
• instruments

D) A list of all the compositions of the applicant

• With title, year, duration and instruments for each work.

E) An essay on the applicant’s motivation for admission to the programme.
The applicant is expected to attempt a characterization him-/her-self in relation to the contemporary music scene. (less than 1000 characters)

Auditions:

A) Rehearsing and conducting the composition home assignment
The applicant rehearses his/her composition assignment with an ensemble for 30 minutes. A complete performance of the work ends the audition. The applicant brings the score and the sheet music for the ensemble.

B) Conversation with the jury
On the basis of the submitted material the applicant is expected to explain the stylistic and aesthetic context of his/her works; demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the last 50 years of the music history. The applicant can also be questioned on notational and instrument idiomatic problems. The applicant’s preferred diploma work is discussed on basis of the project description. The applicant must demonstrate knowledge of relevant points of view, particularly music theoretical aspects of the diploma work.

Applicants without a Bachelor’s Degree in Composition from the Norwegian Academy of Music must also do an additional composition assignment and aural and music theory tests.

Required listening:
Bach: Goldberg Variations (Klavierübung IV)
Beethoven: String Quartet No. 14 in C sharp minor, op 131
Sibelius: Symphony No. 2 in D major, Op. 43
Debussy: Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Schönberg: Verklärte Nacht
Berg: Violin Concerto
Webern: Variations, for orchestra, opus 30
Prokofiev: Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 44
Stravinsky: Symphonies of Wind Instruments
Bartók: String Quartet No. 4
Hindemith: Kammermusik No. 1, op. 24
Messiaen: Quatuor pour la fin du temps
Pierre Boulez: Le marteau sans maître (1955)
Karlheinz Stockhausen: Kontakte (1960)
Igor Stravinsky: Requiem Canticles (1966-67)
György Ligeti: Aventures (1962)
George Crumb: Night Music I (1963)
Arne Nordheim: Solitaire (1968)
Luciano Berio: Sinfonia (1968-69), 3rd movement
Steve Reich: Music for Mallet Instruments, Voices and Organ (1973)
Iannis Xenakis: Jonchaies (1977)
Gerard Grisey: Modulations (1976-77)
Sofia Gubaidulina: Offertorium (1980)
Per Nørgård: 4. symfoni (1980-81)
Cecilie Ore: Praesens subitus (1989)
Wolfgang Rihm: Gesungenes Zeit (1991-92)

Required reading:
Paul Griffiths: Modern music: the avantgarde since 1945, Dent, London 1981 or similar books

Additional information

Language requirements

Application Form 2011