Course content.
In the minor «Conducting Children’s Choirs», students learn to put together and conduct a choir for children between the age of six and twelve years of age. Students delve into methodological, subject-specific and organizational questions, and explore their role in different settings (rehearsal work, project design, putting together a children’s choirs in or outside an institution). 

The minor, which is taught in German, is offered by Continuing Education Music. It is aimed at Bachelor’s and Master’s students.

Skills acquired in the course.
In the teaching area, students acquire didactic and methodological skills for choral work with children, and also hone their self-observation and self-evaluation skills. In the musical area, students develop the required knowledge of voice, listening, song repertoire, gestures, conducting techniques, piano-playing and leading singing from the piano.

Admissions requirements.
You are enrolled in a degree programme of the Department of Music and have
–  previous pedagogical experience
–  basic knowledge of music theory
–  basic knowledge of the piano in several keys (chord notation)
–  a secure, differentiated and trained singing voice

Language skills required.
You need the following languages to take this minor:
–  German: to be able to follow a discussion
–  German: to actively participate in a verbal exchange
–  German: to understand a text
–  German or English: to write a text

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.
ZHdK is the only institution in Switzerland where students have the opportunity to learn how to conduct a children’s choir as part of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree programme. In the process, they benefit from interfaces to other areas of ZHdK as well as from its long-standing relationship with music and primary schools.

Time structure.
This minor takes place as follows:

Fall semester 2025
Friday, August 22, 2025, 17.30-21.00 
Saturday, August 23, 2025, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, September 13, 2025, 09:00-17:00
Friday, September 26, 2025, 17:30-21:00
Saturday, September 27, 2025, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, October 25, 2025, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, November 15, 2025, 09:00-17:00 
Saturday, December 06, 2025, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, January 24, 2026, 09:00-17:00

Spring semester 2026
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, March 28, 2026, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, May 09, 2026, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, May 30, 2026, 09:00-17:00
Saturday, June 27, 2026, 09:00-17:00

→ Semester dates ZHdK
→ More information about this minor (PDF download)