Content and structure

Course content.

Subject-specific training is at the centre of the pedagogical education. Its purpose is to develop the individual didactic, instrument-specific skill set. The course covers the broad field of music learning, from individual and group tuition through to classroom music-making, and the appropriate methodological approaches. It examines, focuses and individualizes the design, planning and execution of students’ own artistic, educational and music-teaching projects while simultaneously fostering their independent artistic development and musical practice.
In relation to the educational objective, students are required to be open towards stylistic diversity and musical forms that initiate exchange processes between genres and styles. The goal is to guide students towards artistic independence and to understand music as a way of communicating with other people. The transition from learner to teacher is verbalized and discussed. This includes an understanding of the physicality of music-making, the physiology of playing/singing processes, a willingness to reflect on efficient practice and learning methods and the cognitive interpretation of learning processes. 

Course structure.

The course is made up of four module areas:

Teaching

This module area focuses on imparting theoretical knowledge and appropriate methods for creative teaching in students’ own and in supervised teaching practice while allowing room for observation and analysis. The theoretical examination of issues related to instrument-specific didactics is always closed linked to practical application, with current teaching and music-making methods also being taken into account. The design and planning of students’ own projects and projects at social or cultural institutions is examined in further detail through courses on project design and music teaching. Discourse with representatives of the various professional fields in music education shows students the prospects, opportunities and requirements of the job profile.

Performance

Instrumental and vocal qualifications are expanded and professionalized through individual tuition. The goal here is to guide students towards artistic independence. By being involved in and designing ensemble projects (orchestra, chamber music, individual projects) and through instrument-specific and cross-stylistic complementary subjects and courses, students learn to observe their roles and integrate themselves. The repertoire exam demonstrates the level of instrumental/vocal training they have reached.

Educational science/subject-specific practice/research

This module teaches application-oriented basic knowledge of educational psychology and general didactics and consolidates it via the study of aspects related to developmental and communication psychology. Insights into current practical issues in music education research form a bridge between teaching/learning practice and science/academia. Differentiated perception of teaching/learning situations is expanded and sharpened through reflective observation during work-experience placements. Various teaching and educational formats are planned, implemented and reflected on in a professional context during supervised internships. These are supplemented by a changing range of core elective didactic and specialist courses and workshops.

Graduation exam/project

In this module area, stylistic diversity and the level of instrumental/vocal training are assessed in the repertoire examination for admission to the Master’s project. In the pedagogical Master’s examination, students demonstrate their educational/artistic skills, while in the Master’s project, their artistic competencies are placed in a teaching context which is reflected on in terms of performance practice and in writing.

Module plans (PDF download)

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Flexible approach to various teaching/learning settings
  • Design and implementation of artistic/educational projects
  • Insights into educational/academic work
  • Knowledge of music education in the sociocultural context 

Admissions requirements.

A completed Bachelor’s degree, preferably in music, is expected. 

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

  • In the Master’s in Music Pedagogy, you can look forward to a lively degree programme with approx. 100 musicians. 
  • You will enjoy an inspirational environment with colleagues and partners from around the world for discussion and collaboration. 
  • You will benefit from outstanding infrastructure, live electronics and multimedia, audio productions with in-house sound engineers, historical instrument collections and an excellent library.
  • You will study at the Toni Campus – a public, cultural and university campus for all artistic disciplines that is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe and offers ideal opportunities to use media, practise and rehearse.
  • You will meet students from other artistic disciplines on a daily basis, make contacts and enjoy stimulating collaboration. 
  • The self-designed graduation projects will motivate you to organize your work independently. 
  • You will gain extensive practical experience and have many opportunities to perform thanks to the diverse relationships with the regional cultural scene and its event organizations.