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.

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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 individual lessons in the major and the mentoring sessions will be agreed on an individual basis.

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Costs

The cost of taking the MAS module is CHF 2,400.
This includes the individual lessons/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.

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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 2025 autumn semester

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

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Terms and conditions

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