- Leads to qualification: No formal qualification.
- ECTS: 60 credits, one-year full-time study.
Admission requirements
Admission to the programme requires completion of a Bachelor of Music degree (or equivalent as recognized by the Norwegian Academy of Music) with a minimum of 60 (ECTS equivalent) credits in Conducting concentration(s). Entrance examinations will be administered to applicants with suitable academic qualifications.
There is a limited number of study places available and admission is competitive.
Programme description
The in-depth programme in Conducting degree comprises a total of 60 credits over one year of full-time study. Students may specialise in orchestral/band or choral conducting.
Students are exposed to and trained in the management of demanding artistic challenges in preparation for a conducting career at an advanced level. Conducting practice with live ensembles is a central component of the study programme. The programme does not offer a degree. However, students admitted to the programme may be eligible for admission to an additional year of study in order to fulfil the necessary requirements and obtain a Master’s degree in Conducting from the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Over the course of the programme the student will compile a collection of material from which s/he will create a portfolio. Performance recordings, repertoire overview(s), descriptions and reflections regarding her/his area of concentration and musical role, promotional material (e.g. CV, biography, photos, pamphlets, posters, concert programmes), etc. should be included.
Learning objectives
Upon completion of the Graduate Conducting Diploma programme the student will demonstrate
- ability to realize and convey their artistic intentions with a clear personal profile as conductors
- independence and autonomy when meeting demanding artistic challenges, as well as by directing a variety of projects
- ability to engage in a music sphere and a music industry undergoing change
- ability to apply acquired knowledge to expand their musical perspective and repertoire
- ability to analyse and discuss music disciplinary issues in both historical and contemporary contexts
Organisation
The study programme is comprised of teacher-led classroom instruction, academic supervision and independent study.
As a general rule, class attendance at the Academy is not compulsory. However, for certain courses attendance is required. The reason for this is that student activities in the classroom are important experiences that lead to insight, understanding and skills in the subject area, which constitute valuable expertise and qualifications that may not be documented/demonstrated by a test or examination. The individual course descriptions specify whether class attendance is compulsory.
- Read about absences and leaves of absence (lovdata.no).
Students whose principal instrument is an orchestral instrument, regardless of concentration, may be required to participate in one orchestra project per year, as needed.
Students whose principal instrument is Classical Voice are required to participate in two chamber choir projects.
ECTS credits are used as the unit of measure to express the scope of the courses in the study programme. One year of full-time study is equal to 60 credits. One credit corresponds to 27-30 hours of study including classroom instruction and independent study/academic work.
Assessment
The Academy uses two marking systems giving either a final course mark of “passed” or “failed,” or final course mark on a scale [CJS1] of A to F, where E is the lowest passing mark.
The individual course description specifies which system of marking will be used.
Further details on assessment and examination are provided in Chapter VI of the Regulations governing the study programmes at the Norwegian Academy of Music (lovdata.no).
A final transcript of records will be issued when the student has completed the programme. All courses which are part of the study programme, as well as the marks and number of credits, will be stated on the transcript.
Education quality assurance
The Academy has a system for educational quality assurance and development that applies to all aspects of the education provided. Students play a vital role in these efforts by, among other things, participating in student evaluations of courses and programmes.