Core Subject Orchestral Conducting

Content

Holders of the “Diploma of Advanced Studies in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting” demonstrate a personal connection to the field in which they completed the 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 DAS module runs for one semester. Students who complete it successfully are awarded a “Diploma of Advanced Studies in Music Practice/Orchestral Conducting”. As part of the DAS module, candidates realize a practical project (orchestral concert) and write 10–15 pages of documentation. 

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 bundled and completed with a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS). The module is worth 6 ECTS points.

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

  • DVD recording of rehearsal work and orchestral concert totalling 20-30 minutes
    DVD recording with excerpts of the rehearsal work and the orchestral concert, each lasting around 20–30 minutes. Students are free to choose the work(s). The student is in charge of creating a high-quality DVD recording of the rehearsal work and the concert. The DVD recording and the written supporting documentation will be submitted to the jury in triplicate.
  • Written documentation
    Written accompanying documentation of 8-10 pages (excl. pictures and appendix). The work must document the student’s personal connection with their own conducting work.
  • 20-minute presentation
    In a 20-minute presentation, the student focuses on specific artistic aspects of the rehearsal and concert work and once again elaborates on and explores important points in their written supporting documentation. After the presentation, there is a colloquium with questions on the written supporting documentation, on the DVD recording and on the presentation.

Eligibility and admission requirements

Admission to the "Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Practice/Orchestral 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 / Orchestral Conducting

Dates

The DAS degree is offered twice a year.

DAS module “autumn semester option”

  • Application deadline: 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.; written DAS 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
    Presentation with subsequent colloquium

DAS module “spring semester option” 

  • Application deadline: 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.; written DAS 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
    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 individual 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/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 submission for this course

    Please submit the following together with your application 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 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.