Core Subject Orchestral Conducting

Content

Holders of the “Master of Advanced Studies in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting” demonstrate a personal connection to the field in which they completed their course of study, and present a paper which comprehensively outlines and explores a theoretical and/or practical focus related to the field in question.

Structure

The MAS module runs for one semester. Students who complete it successfully are awarded an “Master of Arts in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting”. As part of the MAS module, candidates realize a practical project (recital/concert) and write 12-15 pages of documentation.

A total of eight mentoring hours are available for the MAS 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 MAS module, the skills acquired in the continuing education degree programme are bundled and completed with a Master of Advanced Studies (MAS). The module is worth 15 ECTS points.

The MAS degree with Core Subject Orchestral Conducting consists of three parts:

  1. Orchestra concert of at least 45 minutes duration
    Conception, development and live conducting of an orchestral concert of at least 45 minutes duration. The choice of work(s) is free. It should document the individual profile of the student and will be discussed with the director of studies and the Director of Continuing Education in Music when the student registers for the MAS degree. 
    If the jury is unable to coordinate a visit to the live performance for scheduling and/or geographical reasons, the student is commissioned to create a high-quality DVD recording of the performance. The recording will be handed over to the jury together with the written documentation.

  2. Written documentation
    Written documentation of 12-15 pages (excl. pictures and appendix). The work should document the personal reference to one's own conducting activities.

  3. Presentation and colloquium
    If a DVD recording of the performed choir concert was submitted instead of the live conducting, a 30-minute presentation with subsequent colloquium will take place instead of the live conducting and in addition to the MAS degree.

Eligibility and admission requirements

Admission to the ‘Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting’ is decided by the major subject lecturer, the Director of Studies and the Director of Continuing Education in Music. 

Dates

The MAS degree ist offered twice a year.

MAS module “autumn semester option” 

  • Application deadline: 31 May
    Registration for the MAS module
    • Covering letter explaining why you would like to take the DAS degree 
    • Programme outline for the MAS concert 
    • 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.; written MAS agreement)
  • 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
    Live conducting of an orchestral concert;
    when submitting a DVD-recording: 30 minutes presentation with subsequent colloquium

MAS module “spring semester option”

  • Application deadline: 30 November
    Registration for the MAS module
    • Covering letter explaining why you would like to take the MAS degree
    • Programme outline for the MAS orchestral concert
    • 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.; written MAS agreement)
  • 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
    Live conducting of an orchestral concert;
    when submitting a DVD-recording: 30 minutes 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 MAS module is CHF 2,400.
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 MAS 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 “MAS in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting”, study starts in the 2026 autumn semester

  • Informationen 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 for this course

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

    • Draft programme for the MAS degree performance
    • Description of the concept and content of the intended written MAS 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 MAS 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.