CAS Church Music Practice

Content of the degree programme

Instrumental musicians (organ/piano) and choral conductors from a secular background who then take up a church musician’s position often find that they lack the necessary specific knowledge of church musical traditions and the requirements for preparing church services and working with the parish congregation. Such gaps in their knowledge are also having an increasing impact in monetary terms. The “CAS Church Music Practice” is designed as a compact course that covers the requirements for working as a musician in a church parish.

This continuing education programme focuses on: Liturgy, hymnology, liturgical singing in German and Latin, church services, leading congregational singing, Old Testament, New Testament, history of church music, organ making studies and vocational studies for church musicians.

→ This degree programme is taught exclusively in German.
→ More details on the structure and individual modules of the degree program, see the German webpage.

Coursework/study periods

The “CAS Church Music Practice” runs for two semesters and consists of classroom teaching and individual self-study. It comprises 15 ECTS credits (all modules).

Individual modules
If individual modules are chosen, these take place according to the timetable (see German website ‘Studiendaten’). ECTS credits are awarded according to the scope of the module.

Qualification

On successfully completing the “CAS Church Music Practice” programme (all modules), students are awarded a ZHdK certificate. The certificate confirms that the holder participated in the CAS, and describes the subjects and courses attended.
Students do not receive a mark.

Eligibility and admission requirements

This “CAS Church Music Practice” is aimed at qualified musicians.
The requirements for admission to the programme are as follows:

– Successful completion of a university degree in music or an equivalent qualification
– Previous professional experience
– Positive outcome to the admission interview/assessment.

Special admission (“sur dossier”) is also possible in justified cases. The Head of Programme and the Head of Continuing Education Music decide on admission.