Masters degree programmes in Performance

1) Principal Main Instrument / Chamber Music

Academic entrance qualifications: admission requires a completed 3 or 4 year bachelor degree in music.

The aim of the course is to provide the student/ensemble with a varied and extensive relevant repertoire at a high level, and to further development of instrumental skills, ability for artistic expression and capacity to communicate these skills.
 

Auditions

The application should include the following documents:

• a proposed audition programme of 45 minutes duration. The programme must include at least one work of a high degree of difficulty.
• 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.

2) Improvised Music/Jazz

Admission requires a completed 3 or 4 year bachelor degree in music. Applicants with a background from improvised music/jazz can apply for this course.
Acceptance for this course is conditional upon there being sufficient satisfactory applicants who can play together in ensembles. Applicants are primarily accepted as ensembles. The aim is that students further develop their instrumental and artistic techniques in communicating their skills through different types of project work, which is formed in cooperation with an instructor. The course allows a great degree of freedom within the given framework.

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. 
• attend an interview with the jury on the background of the candidate's application and intentions for the course.

3) Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Pianists

Academic entrance qualifications: admission requires a completed 3 or 4 year bachelor degree in music. The course in 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.

Audition

The application should include the following documents: 

• 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.

At he 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. 
• preparatory assignment

A week before the audition the applicant will be sent the following to rehearse:

• a piano reduction of a concerto (or possibly an excerpt) to which the applicant devises a functional accompaniment (reduction of orchestral score). 
• one or two shorter works for instrument/vocals and piano.

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. Chamber music scores to be sight read, or played with limited rehearsal time.

4) Music performance with thesis

On the Music Performance with Thesis course the student concentrates on a special subject of his/her own choice. The student will study this subject from both a theoretical and a performing point of view. The course includes a postgraduate thesis written in Norwegian.

Audition

The applicant chooses an individual programme of approx. 45 minutes duration. The programme must relate to the applicant’s choice of special subject. Part of the programme must be chamber music. The applicant provides the necessary musicians. The examination board will choose 25 to 30 minutes from the individual programme.

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.