Core subject Choral Conducting

Content

In the "Diploma of Advanced Studies in Music Practice/Choral Conducting", students demonstrate a personal connection to the profile in which they completed the course of study, and area in the form of a project which comprehensively outlines or presents their exploration of a theoretical and/or practical focus related to the profile in question.

Structure

The DAS module runs for one semester. Students who successfully complete it are awarded a “Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Practice/Choral Conducting”. As part of the DAS module, students implement a practical project (DVD recording of their own rehearsal work and choral concert) and write 8-10 pages of documentation. Students are expected to attend the course entitled “Introduction to research, documentation and presentation” as it is the basis for the written paper.

A total of four mentoring hours are available for the DAS module. These can be used to supervise the practical project and/or the written documentation. The choice of mentor depends on individual needs and is determined in consultation with the Head of Continuing Education in Music.

Qualification

With the successful completion of the DAS module, the skills acquired in the continuing education degree programme are consolidated, and culminate in a “Diploma of Advanced Studies”. The module is worth 6 ECTS credits.

The DAS degree with Core Subject Choral Conducting Conducting consists of three parts:

  • Practical project (DVD recording)
    DVD recording with excerpts of the rehearsal work and the choral concert, each around 20 to 30 minutes in length. Students are free to choose the work.
    Students must create a high-quality DVD recording of the rehearsal work and the concert. The DVD recording must be submitted together with the supporting written documentation in triplicate as well as in PDF form to the Continuing Education Centre Office.
  • Written documentation
    Written documentation of 8-10 pages (excl. pictures and appendix). The paper reflects on and documents the developed programme (or sections/works thereof) in analytical and/or theoretical terms.
  • Presentation and colloquium
    In a 20-minute presentation, students focus on specific artistic aspects of the rehearsal and concert work and once again elaborate on and explore important points in their written supporting documentation in depth.
    Afterwards, there is a colloquium with questions on the written supporting documentation, the DVD recording and the presentation.

Eligibility and admission requirements

Admission to the "Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Practice/Choral Conducting" is granted by the Director of Studies, the major subject lecturer and the Director of Continuing Education in Music and is usually granted by passing a corresponding admission and dossier examination. 

Further degree in Music Practice

→ MAS in Music Practice / Choral Conducting

Dates

The DAS degree is run twice a year.

DAS module “Autumn semester option”

  • 31 May: Registration for the DAS module
    • Covering letter explaining why you would like to take the DAS degree
    • Intended DVD recording
    • Description of the concept and content of the intended written documentation
  • Mid-June: Interview with the Head of Continuing Education Music (next steps, mentoring, schedule, etc.)
  • 30 November: Interim report to the Head of Continuing Education Music
  • 28 February: Submission of the DVD recording and the written documentation
  • End of March: Presentation with subsequent colloquium

DAS module “Spring semester option”

  • 30 November: Registration for the DAS module
    • Covering letter explaining why you would like to take the DAS degree
    • Intended DVD recording
    • Description of the concept and content of the intended written documentation
  • Mid-December: Interview with the Head of Continuing Education Music (next steps, mentoring, schedule etc.)
  • 31 May: Interim report to the Head of Continuing Education Music
  • 31 August: Submission of the DVD recording and the written documentation
  • End of September: Presentation with subsequent colloquium

The dates and times of the mentoring sessions will be agreed on an individual basis.

Costs

The cost of taking the DAS module is CHF 1,600.
This includes the mentoring sessions, the administration fee, the expert assessors’ fees as well as the examination fee and the diploma. The costs are all invoiced together when the student signs the agreement to take the DAS module.

Online application

Applications are processed via ZHdK’s online tool (ONLA). 

Application deadline: 31 May resp. 30 November

→ To the online application for the “DAS in Music Practice/Choral Conducting", starting in spring semester 2026

  • Informations regarding the online application (ONLA)

    You can interrupt the application process at any time and complete it at a later date. The information you have entered will be saved. Mandatory fields are marked with a *.

    Once you have entered all your information, complete the process by clicking on “Finish entry”. The data can no longer be amended. Your submission will be reviewed by the Continuing Education Office.

    Please check your e-mail spam folder during the application period. If you have any further questions about online application or experience any technical difficulties, please contact the Continuing Education Centre: Contact

  • Login with ZHdK Login or SWITCH edu-ID

    If you already have a ZHdK login, you can sign in with your normal access data. Those without a ZHdK login require a SWITCH edu-ID in order to apply online. You can create one really easily here.

  • Required documents

    Curriculum Vitae

    A brief and clear list of your education and professional career history.

    Covering letter

    Set out your reason for applying for the continuing education degree programme on a maximum of one side of A4. If you do not have a university degree, please describe your professional experience up to this point and why you are applying for your chosen continuing education degree programme (maximum of two sides of A4).

    Photo of yourself in JPG format

    Upload a recent photo in passport photo quality (at least 320 x 400 pixels). The photo must be high-contrast and your face must be clearly visible. It may not feature other people or objects.

    Social security number

    If you live or work in Switzerland, you will find your Swiss social security number (756…) on your OASI card or on your Swiss health insurance card. 

    Further documents

    • Transcripts
    • Degrees
    • Certificates

    The documents must be uploaded in PDF format. If you have several individual PDF files, you can upload these one after another.

  • Additional submissions

    Please submit the following together with your application for the DAS module:

    • Draft programme for the DAS degree performance
    • Description of the concept and content of the intended written DAS supporting documentation

Once an application has been checked, a binding agreement covering the practical project, the choice of topic for the written documentation, the mentoring supervision and the structure of the DAS module will be reached in consultation with the Head of Continuing Education Music.

Terms and conditions

The general terms and conditions of the Continuing Education Centre apply for applications for this programme.