Content and structure

Course content.

This degree programme centres around the conducting of choirs. Graduates work as choral conductors for secular choirs or are employed in church congregations, where they oversee the development of church music and and organise a variety of liturgical celebrations, with the involvement of choral well as instrumental ensembles and orchestras. They are distinguished by their independent artistic identity and their broad training that meets the diverse requirements of the job profile.

Course structure.

The course consists of four module areas:

Core

Students enjoy individual tuition in the Major in “Choral Conducting”, which is supplemented with weekly group tuition in the Choral Conducting Studio, Practical Keyboard Skills, Score-Reading and Accompaniment, and voice lessons, as well as modules in orchestral conducting.

Extension

Assistantships with choirs and vocal ensembles of ZHdK and participation as a singer in the Kantorei ZHdK and Kammerchor ZHdK choirs enable students to practise and demonstrate what they have learned in a practical context and promote the development of collaborative and social skills. Specific aspects of the profession are taught in the choral conducting seminar, while aural training and music theory tuition round off the degree programme. Study trips and student days provide insights into special issues within the profession or enable students to deepen their stylistic knowledge and broaden their education.

Profile

The individual profile is expanded through elective areas and supplemented with a Master’s thesis and Master’s seminars on a subject-specific topic.

Graduation exam/project

The final assessment consists of an ensemble examination and a public choral project, which is supplemented by written documentation. 
Please note: in combination with the Self-Composed Minor specializing in Organ, it is possible to obtain a dual degree in choral conducting and organ.

Module plan:

Skills acquired in the course.

  • The ability to conduct choirs and vocal ensembles of various levels and from a wide variety of styles 
  • Expertise in and understanding of a broad repertoire from various eras and styles up to and including popular music
  • Pedagogical and methodological/didactic knowledge regarding choral directing, rehearsals and vocal training for amateur and semi-professional choirs
  • Integration of instrumental ensembles and orchestras into choral work
  • Practical keyboard skills, including in the field of popular music; knowledge of elementary jazz and pop band work; creation of choral arrangements in various styles
  • Singing expertise 
  • Sensitivity in relation to the context-aware organization of different liturgical celebrations with various choir formations 
  • Initiating, planning and giving own concert programmes

Admissions requirements.

Applicants are expected to have attained an advanced level in the core subject of choral conducting and the additional subjects (piano, playing from a score, singing). They must also demonstrate a high degree of artistic potential and personal commitment.

Further requirements:

  • Independence and personal responsibility
  • Ability to reflect and self-assess
  • Communication and social skills
  • A good command of German and English 

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers a wealth of unique benefits:

  • In the Performance Master’s, you can look forward to a lively degree programme with approx. 120 musicians. 
  • You will enjoy 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.