Content and structure

Course content.

In the Master’s course, you develop your own artistic identity as a professional musician. The focus is on in-depth instrumental work. However, optional subjects for early and contemporary music, orchestral instruments and orchestral conducting are also offered. Workshops and other specific courses help students understand how music was performed throughout history. The wide range of chamber music activities, outstanding orchestral formations, and additional room for students to explore their own project ideas enable them to put what they have learnt into practice.

Course structure.

The course consists of four module areas:

Core

Students learn how to play their instrument at an expert level in all practical, artistic, historical and social dimensions in the Major and optional subject. This usually takes place in individual tuition sessions, along with internal and external master classes, competitions, concerts, panels, class recitals and feedback rounds. The course is rounded off with mentoring sessions from senior lecturers and external experts.

Extension

Guided orchestral, ensemble and project work in a stylistically diverse environment or as self-organized, self-managed work in ensembles ranging from duos to octets consolidate your collaborative and social skills.

Profile

Seminars with a focus on specific topics consolidate your theoretical knowledge and culminate in a Master’s thesis on a subject-specific topic. Moreover, elective courses enable you to consolidate your own profile in scientific, psychological, physiological or practical terms.

Graduation exam/project

The course culminates in a repertoire examination, an independently designed public recital and a written paper. Within the scope of a colloquium, students discuss the basics of historical performance practice, their own listening habits and the application of musical-artistic skills in the concert environment, as well as finding a topic, drafting and writing their Master’s thesis.

Module plan, choices Variantfach:

→ Module plan Percussion (PDF)

Skills acquired in the course.

Students develop an artistic identity that enables them to work to a professional standard in the cultural sector. Besides gaining comprehensive expertise in their instrument, they also deal with a variety of constellations in concerts, productions and performances. In this position, they develop an awareness of contexts and a network with artists on a variety of levels. 

Admissions requirements.

Prospective students have an above-average artistic understanding and would like to play music professionally. They are dedicated, have outstanding musical knowledge and communication skills, and are keen to express themselves creatively. They are ready to consolidate all these skills at a high level and network in the professional context. 

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers a wealth of unique benefits:

  • In the Master’s in Music Performance, you can look forward to a lively degree programme with approx. 120 musicians. 
  • You will find an inspirational environment with colleagues and partners from around the world for discussion and collaboration in a variety of ensembles and orchestras
  • 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.
  • You will meet students from other artistic disciplines on a daily basis, make contacts and enjoy stimulating collaboration. 
  • You will have opportunities to undertake exchange semesters and various possibilities to explore other cultures thanks to ZHdK Music’s international network. 
  • 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.