Master's Degree Programmes in Performance

Admission to all variants of the Master’s Degree Programmes in Performance requires a Bachelor's Degree in Music with 80 ECTS credits in performance.

Principal Main Instrument/Chamber Music

The aim of the programme is to provide the student/ensemble with a varied and extensive relevant repertoire at a high level, and to further development of instrumental skills, capability for artistic expression and capacity to communicate these skills. Tuition is in English or Norwegian.

Internship at The Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and The Norwegian Chamber Orchestra
Students of orchestral instruments admitted to the programme music can apply for internships at the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra. There is a separate audition for the internship and students accepted will receive a scholarship.

Entrance Examinations
The application should include the following documents:

• an audition programme in accordance with the repertoire requirements for the master's level programmes
• a repertoire list for main instrument showing that the applicant has studied works amounting to a performance time of at least 360 minutes, of which at least 40 minutes is chamber music. 
• a summary of the applicant’s own experience and practice as a performer. 
• an account of the applicant’s plans for the course.

At the audition the applicant must

• perform approx. 25 minutes of the proposed audition programme, chosen by the jury from the programme submitted. 
• attend an interview with the jury on the background for the application and the intentions for the course.

 Video audition for international applicants

Application Form 2011

Improvised Music/Jazz

Applicants with a background from improvised music/jazz can apply for this programme. Acceptance to the programme is conditional upon there being sufficient satisfactory applicants who can play together in ensembles. Applicants are primarily accepted as ensembles. The programme aims to develop further students’ technical and artistic abilities, as well as their musical communication skills, through a variety of projects. The projects areformed under the guidance of an academic supervisor. The programme allows a great degree of freedom within the given framework. Tuition is in English or Norwegian.

Audition

The application should include the following documents:

• a proposed audition programme of 45 minutes duration documenting the applicant’s/ensemble’s level of performance and area of musical interest. 
• a list of repertoire performed with an ensemble 
• a summary of the applicant's own experience and practice within the field of improvised music / jazz. 
• an account of the applicants plans for the course.

At the audition the applicant must

Play 30 minutes of the proposed audition programme, chosen by the jury.
Discuss with the jury her/his reasons for applying and expectations for the study programme.

Video audition for international applicants

Application Form 2011

Traditional Nordic Folk Music

This programme is for single applicants or established ensembles with background in Norwegian or Nordic traditional music. All members of ensembles must submit an individual application. Tuition is in Norwegian.

Entrance Examinations
The application should include the following documents:

• a proposed audition programme of 45 minutes duration documenting the applicant’s/ensemble’s level of performance and area of musical interest. 
• a list of repertoire performed either as soloist or ensemble
• a summary of the applicant's own experience and practice within the field of traditional music. 
• an account of the applicants plans for the programme.

At the audition the applicant must

• Play 30 minutes of the proposed audition programme, chosen by the jury.
• Discuss with the jury her/his reasons for applying and expectations for the study programme.

Application Form 2011

Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Pianists

Accompaniment and chamber music is a programme aimed at training pianists for a career where they can specialise in different types of ensembles. The course demands a high level of performance as a pianist and wide experience in accompaniment. Tuition is in English or Norwegian.

Audition

The application should include the following documents with the application form:

• A list of repertoire studied.
• Documentation of participation in chamber music and experience and practice as an accompanist.
• A chamber music accompaniment programme of the candidate’s own choice of approx. 20 minutes’ duration (trio, sonata, lied or similar). The programme may include one or several works or parts of works for one or several ensembles.
• A solo programme of the candidate’s own choice, approx. 15 minutes’ duration. The programme may include one or several works or parts of works. Together with his/her ensemble programme the candidate should demonstrate a wide variation in styles.
 

A week before the audition the applicant will be sent the following assignment to rehearse:
1.• A piano reduction of a concerto (or possibly an excerpt) to which the applicant devises a functional accompaniment (reduction of orchestral score).
2.• One or two shorter works for instrument/voice and piano.

At the audition the applicant must
• Play a solo programme of his/her own choice
• Accompany a chamber music programme of her/his own choice. The applicant must provide co-musicians for the audition.
• Play the prepared home assignment

The prepared works are performed at the audition together with musicians provided by the Academy. The day before the audition the applicant will have short rehearsals with his/her co-musicians. The audition will involve quick-study and sight-reading tests (chamber music/accompaniment).

Application Form 2011
 

Operarepetiteur

The essence of the programme is independent practical and theoretical work and collaboration with vocalists, conductors, directors and vocal instructors at the opera and musical theatres. The programme includes practice as a repetiteur at the Norwegian Academy of Music, the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and the Norwegian Opera and Ballet. There is a scholarship for practice at the Oslo National Academy of the Arts and the Norwegian Opera and Ballet. Tuition is in Norwegian.

Application and audition procedures

The applicant’s ability to achieve a thorough musical overview and insight, and the ability to communicate this via the piano, will be assessed during the audition.

The audition is in two rounds. The applicant will be sent 3 assignments to prepare 2 weeks before the audition. Only applicants who complete the 1st round successfully will proceed to the 2nd round.

Audition

1st round (30-45 minutes per applicant)

A. Piano playing and prepared assignment work

• A solo piece chosen by the applicant (approx. 5 minutes)
• An operatic aria chosen by the applicant and rehearsed with a vocalist. If an applicant cannot audition with his own vocalist, the Academy will provide a vocalist for the audition upon request. Such a request must be made at least 2 weeks before the audition.
• Sight-reading
• Quick rehearsal (1 hour) of an aria to be performed with a vocalist
• A piano excerpt from an opera. The excerpt will be sent to the applicant 2 weeks before the audition and will be performed with a vocalist at the audition. Coaching the vocalist is part of the audition. The Academy will make vocalists available for audition purposes.

B. Aural training

The applicant will be tested in the definition of chord progressions and positions.
The applicant will also be sent a piano excerpt from an opera with a vocal ensemble. He/she must be able to sing all voices.

C. Interview

A general interview will be carried out with regard to the applicant’s background and attitude to the profession of a repetiteur. The interview will also cover terminology with regards to form, contents and instrumentation of a score which will be handed out during the interview.

2nd round

• A piano excerpt from an opera with a vocal ensemble. The excerpt will be sent to the applicant 2 weeks before the audition and will be performed with a vocal ensemble at the audition. Instructing the vocalists is part of the audition. The Academy will make available a vocal ensemble during the audition. The applicant may be asked to sing one of the voices in the ensemble.
• Playing the piano, following a conductor’s beat (the same excerpt as above)
• Instructing 2 pianists and a string quartet. The score will be sent to the applicant 2 weeks before the audition. The instruction will be part of the audition. The Academy will make musicians available during the audition.

Application Form 2011

Music performance with thesis

In this programme the student concentrates on a special subject of his/her own choice. The student will study this subject from both a theoretical and a performance perspective. The programme includes a postgraduate thesis. Tuition is in English or Norwegian.

Audition

An audition programme in accordance with the repertoire requirements for the master's level programmes must be submitted with the application form.

Special subject

The applicant describes the basis for the special subject. The special subject relates to both performance and written thesis. Documentation of the subject may also include other media, such as video or tape/CD.

Essay

In January / February the applicant is requested to write a short essay on a given theme within the area of the described subject.

Interview

An interview will be conducted on the basis of the subject description and the essay.

Application Form 2011