Msc.Composition

The study of the Composition programme at the Master's level is primarily aimed at supporting the development of students' creative individuality, the formation of their own distinctive artistic style and musical opinions. Emphasis is placed on understanding the current situation of the field and one's own position within it. Technical exercises are more narrowly focused on specific solutions to students' distinctive creative intentions. Groups of compulsory elective subjects then allow students individual profiling across three basic areas which are inherent in the current state of the field: composition for acoustic instruments, electroacoustic music, film music and their intersections. This is also related to further deepening education in the field of working with modern technologies in various phases of compositional activity. The programme also deepens theoretical education and the ability of students to use their knowledge in critical reflection on artistic practice.

The graduate of the continuing Master's programme in Composition is a distinctive and creative individual. He/she is well versed in contemporary music and is capable of independent compositional work. His/her work has distinct and stylistic features. Their responsiveness, technical assurance, responsibility in the submission of work, orientation in the present currents of contemporary music, as well as ability to see them in a broader historical and cultural context predestines the student for professional work in the field of contemporary music, as well as in a number of related areas.

Expertise
The graduate of the programme is familiar with and responds creatively to a wide range of contemporary music. He or she is familiar with and able to participate actively in music and cultural activities in general.
They are capable of highly relevant argumentation in relation to current musical theoretical and creative discourses.

Professional skills
The graduate of the programme is capable of independent compositional work, and his/her work has distinct stylistic characteristics. He/she is able to work independently and creatively with modern technologies, including softwares for sound editing and processing or notation. He/she is capable of creating a notographically professional and stylistically appropriate graphic form of the score. He/she is capable of teamwork and initiating it, such as in the production of musical performances, the creation of interdisciplinary works, etc.

General competencies
The graduate of the programme has proficient analytical and procedural skills and the ability to follow them independently and consistently. He/she demonstrates a strong capacity for self-motivation and self-discipline, including the ability for self-study in preparation for continuous future learning with a view to a sustainable career path. They can use a variety of technical resources in their own music making and to promote their professional profile. They act as confident and trustworthy personalities and communicate effectively. He/she is able to use current information technologies for professional communication and presentation.

There is a fee for studying in English. The amount of tuition fee for each study programme (including specialisations) is set by the Dean's Decree, which is published in the relevant section of the faculty website in English.

The admission procedure is divided into two rounds: first by correspondence, second in-person. In the correspondence round, the applicant must demonstrate a consistent and professional level of his/her work as a composer. In the second round, in addition to the audition examination, the applicant is subjected to an evaluation of technical knowledge, abilities and prerequisites at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Composition at HAMU. Candidates will present relevant outputs from previous studies or prepare short studies in the field of historical and modern compositional techniques and electroacoustic music. During a discussion with the admissions committee, the level of their theoretical knowledge and general cultural and historical overview is also examined.

Structure of the admission procedure:
1st round – by correspondence
Within 7 working days after the deadline for submitting the application form, the applicant for the Master's programme is obliged to send a portfolio of work from the last 3 years via email to: prijimacky_k.skladby@hamu.cz. Materials should include a selection of representative scores in electronic form (.pdf) and recordings, if any (.wav, .mp3) or functional internet links to them. In case of questions or other uncertainties regarding the required documents, the responsible staff of the Department of Composition can be contacted by e-mail sekretariat.k101@hamu.cz.

The Admissions Committee will review and evaluate these materials and decide by vote (pass/fail) on the applicants' progress to the next round of the admissions process. In the case of a "fail" decision, the admission procedure is terminated. In the case of a 'pass' decision, the applicant will be invited by the Department to attend the second part of the admission procedure in-person.

Documents sent after the deadline will not be included in the admission procedure. Failure to submit documents by the deadline will be considered as failure to meet the conditions of round 1 and the admission procedure will be terminated.

Round 2 – in person
This round will take place on one or two consecutive days, depending on the number of applicants. It consists of two parts – evaluation and interview. The scoring of both parts will take place after the second part.


Part 1 - evaluation
Verification of knowledge, abilities and prerequisites at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in Composition at HAMU according to the following assignment:

1) Examples of short studies in historical composition styles (G. P. da Palestrina, J. S. Bach) and dodecaphony (series, quaternion and dodecaphonic invention from this material in the style of the Second Viennese School).
2) Creation of a short sound composition (approx. 1 minute) on his/her own computer or in the EA Music Department's Composition Lab (ProTools, Cubase, Reaper, other platforms, subject to individual agreement) from audio material provided to the candidate. Technical parameters for the work can be specified upon request.

The candidate can send the materials for the evaluation in advance (in electronic form) or prepare them at the HAMU campus using the technical equipment of the department on the day of the evaluation. The Committee will evaluate the materials and, on the basis of the materials, will accept or not accept the individual points (1-2) of the written part of the attendance procedure as fulfilled.

Part 2 - interview
1) Presentation of a set of compositions composed within the last three years.
2) Submission of a study in the music theory field (approximately 20 pages, this may be an undergraduate written supplementary thesis).

The admissions committee will conduct a professional discussion with the applicant on a wide range of issues related to composition, music theory, and general music historical perspectives. The length of the candidate's presentation should not exceed 30 minutes (including introductions and commentary on the compositions), and the total length of the presentation and interview should not exceed 60 minutes.

The Admissions Committee will evaluate the applicant with an overall grade that takes into account: assessment of significant compositional talent, developed general musical ability, convincing mastery of compositional techniques, in-depth knowledge of music-theoretical disciplines, and general cultural insight, all at least at the level of a graduate of the Bachelor's degree programme in composition at HAMU.

The conditions of the admission procedure, including the determination of the method of scoring and its range, are regulated for each academic year by the relevant decree of the Dean, which is subject to approval by the Academic Senate of the Faculty.

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