Course content and structure

Course content.

Instrumental and vocal foundations in practice and theory are developed. The tuition in the main instrument or in singing can either be undertaken in the performance module area of jazz, pop or classical music.

The artistic major subject is expanded in aesthetic terms and placed in a didactic context with the module areas of teaching practice/subject-specific practice/educational science/research. Modules on music and movement, on percussion, band practice as well as new media open new perspectives.

Course structure.

Core
This full-time course is based on three areas: Performance, Teaching and Subject-Specific Practice.

Performance
The module area comprises tuition in artistic subjects, individual tuition in the instrumental or vocal major, teaching experience in piano-playing and voice. Advanced students can attend choral conducting, speech techniques, dance or percussion on an individual basis to support their artistic profile. Soloist and collective forms of music-making are practised in workshops, in ensemble tuition and in concerts. 

Teaching practice
The foundations of teaching practice are learnt through systematic reflection on music practice. The starting points for this are ensemble conducting, rhythmic coordination and artistic forms of playing with new media. In the interdisciplinary try-out module, you take part in the courses of students in the Master of Music Education, major in School Music II. Via peer-to-peer learning, teaching practice ideas in groups are developed and tested to assess their innovation potential and more. 

Educational science/subject-specific practice/research
The module area combines subjects from the areas of music theory and educational psychology. Your knowledge is relevant for musical-educational research work, for a joint language of discourse, systematic self-reflection – and for a better understanding of your own music-making and teaching in the context of history and culture. You draw on your previous music education experience and extend it in practical exercises and in reflective discussion. 

Graduation project
You complete a graduation project on your main instrument or in the area of Voice. You plan and implement your Bachelor project independently. You have plenty of scope for creativity in the form of an artistic presentation and a related written paper. This work is supported with colloquia and individual mentoring sessions.
 

Module plans:

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Independently further develop skills on the main instrument/in vocals from an artistic and technical perspective. 
  • Expert knowledge of a broad stylistic repertoire on the main instrument, teaching practice on the piano and in Voice. 
  • Design artistic concepts independently and in an innovative manner. 
  • Perform competently as a solo artist or in an ensemble/band. 
  • Adeptly interrelate theoretical and historical music foundations and artistic and social practice.
  • Run advanced artistic, music education-related projects
  • Take a reflective, critical perspective when dealing with musical contexts. 
  • Take the initiative in social situations and adjust your communication and presentation skills to suit your audience.
  • Differentiated self-expression and reflection.

Entry requirements.

Students are expected to demonstrate artistic potential in the instrumental or vocal major and be keen to make music education their profession. This includes:

  • Prior knowledge of school-music-specific basic knowledge in piano, voice, song accompaniment, percussion instruments, etc.
  • Prior knowledge of music theory
  • Independence and personal responsibility
  • Ability to reflect and self-assess
  • Communication and social skills

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers you a wealth of unique benefits:

  • You have access to the Toni Campus: a public, cultural and university campus for all artistic disciplines that is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe.
  • You benefit from collaboration with other performative artistic disciplines at project level. 
  • You enjoy the exchange formats with other universities. ZHdK’s extensive international network provides you with numerous opportunities to learn from other cultures and discover new projects.
  • The often interdisciplinary graduation projects motivate you to organize your collaboration independently. 
  • You gain extensive practical experience and have many opportunities to perform thanks to the diverse relationships with the regional cultural scene and its event organizations.