- Leads to qualification: Master of Music in Performance.
- ECTS: 120 credits, two-year full-time studies.
Admission requirements
Bachelor's degree in Music or equivalent qualification (as recognised by the Norwegian Academy of Music) with a minimum of 80 credits in Music Performance subjects. Entrance examinations appropriate for the individual concentration will be administered to eligible applicants. The qualifying level of performance demonstrated at the audition must, at minimum, be equivalent to the graduation requirements of the four-year Bachelor of Music in Performance degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Bachelor's degree in Music (or equivalent as recognised by the Norwegian Academy of Music) with a minimum of 80 credits from Music Performance subjects. Entrance examinations appropriate for the individual concentration will be administered to eligible applicants. The qualifying level of performance demonstrated at the audition must, at minimum, be equivalent to the graduation fulfilment requirements of the four-year Bachelor of Music Performance Degree at the Norwegian Academy of Music.
Programme description
The Master of Music Performance Degree Programme is designed to provide high-quality academic music education and to produce knowledgeable, independent musicians. The programme comprises a total of 120 ECTS credits. During the programme, students will complete a Master's Project, which consists of an in-depth study of a self-selected topic/repertoire area. The Master's Project must be based on a project description developed by the student during the first year of studies.
The programme is designed so that students develop a collection of material during their studies that they can compile into a portfolio. Recordings of performances, an overview of the repertoire, description of and reflections on the student's chosen concentration and their role as a musician, promotional material (e.g. CV, biography, photographs, flyers) will be included in this material. The Master of Music Performance Degree Programme is divided into six concentrations:
Solo Instrument or Chamber Music Ensemble Concentration
This concentration is tailored to classical musicians and entails an in-depth study of a solo instrument/principal instrument or chamber music. In the first semester of studies, the content is based on solo performance, and students who wish to may form a chamber music group and receive supervision as a group. Beginning in the second semester, students may apply to the Chamber Music Ensemble Concentration; the application deadline is 15 October of the first semester of studies. Students accepted into the Chamber Music Ensemble Concentration must complete their Master's Project with the chamber music group. Students admitted to the program as a chamber music ensemble will function as a group from the first semester.
Improvised Music/Jazz Concentration
This concentration is intended for performers who wish to develop their improvisation skills as jazz musicians and professional performers. Through the programme, students develop an advanced awareness of their identity, various roles, and opportunities in music society. Central to the concentration is the initiation and completion of creative projects. The Master's Project is of significant breadth and demands that the student has strong abilities to engage with artistic challenges over time. Both individual performers and ensembles may apply to this concentration.
Nordic Master: The Composing Musician (NoCom)
This concentration is for performers who wish to combine composition with jazz performance practice. This concentration is offered as a joint study programme by The Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo (NMH), the Academy of Music and Drama at the University of Gothenburg (HSM) and the Rhythmic Music Conservatory in Copenhagen (RMC). The student completes the first and fourth semesters at NMH and the second and third HSM and RCM. The NoCom programme is open to musicians who are studying or have studied improvised/rhythmic music and/or composition and to other musicians with relevant qualifications.
Traditional Nordic Folk Music
This concentration is normally based on solo performance, but it may be adapted to include various types of ensembles.
Accompaniment and Chamber Music for Classical Pianists
This concentration is for classical pianists who wants to specialise as accompanists and chamber musicians at a high level. In addition to develop as a soloist you will also focus on rehearsing, prima vista and playing chamber music. The students must have a high level of piano skills and have a broad experience with musical interaction and chamber music. Throughout the study period the student will take part in practice scenarios such as accompanist at singing and instrument lessons, masterclasses and as accompanist for guest teachers.
Opera Répétiteur
This concentration is for students who want to obtain qualifications to work as a professional-level répétiteur in keeping with the standards that apply at Norwegian and international opera houses. The core of this concentration is theoretical and practical work as a répétiteur with opera and music theatre repertoires, both alone and together with others (vocalists, voice instructors, instrumentalists, conductors and directors).
Performance and Research
This concentration is for students in various genres and is suitable for those who want to combine performance and theory in their Master's Project. The Master's Project involves both performance and a written thesis which elucidate each other and represent a cohesive whole.
ECMAster – European Chamber Music Academy Master
This concentration is intended for established chamber music groups as part of the ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy). The students complete their whole Master's programme as part of the ensemble. This concentration is offered as a joint study programme by The Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo (NMH), Fondazione Scuola di Musica di Fiesole Onlus (SMF), Koninklijk Conservatorium, Den Haag (KC), Lietuvos Muzikos ir Teatro Akademija, Vilnius (LMTA), Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester (RNCM) and Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst, Wien. The students complete the first and fourth semesters at NMH and the second and third at partner institutions.
Individual Concentration
This concentration is not associated with a specific genre and is relevant for students who want a special emphasis on developing an artistic profile that entails projects and ideas that are difficult to realise in any of the other concentrations. A very limited amount of students will be admitted to this concentration.
Learning objectives
Students graduating with the Master of Music in Performance Degree demonstrate
- a high level of technical ability on their principal instrument and expertise in creating music
- ability to realise and convey their artistic intentions with a clear profile
- independence in meeting demanding artistic challenges and by initiating, implementing and directing a variety of projects
- ability to meet the demands of music life and the music industry
- ability to use their role as musicians to promote innovation and new ways of thinking
- application of acquired knowledge in order to expand their musical perspective and conduct independent, artistic development activity
- ability to analyse and discuss issues in the music field from both a historical and a contemporary point of departure
- reflective views on issues in the music field, and the ability to articulate and discuss these in a thoughtful manner, both within the music community and in the public sphere
- skills of analyses and critical assessment of material from artistic development activity and research, and the ability to use this in their own work
- insight and critical assessment of ethical norms and issues of a musical and professional nature
Organisation
The study programme consists of instructor-led classroom instruction, academic supervision and independent study in connection with this instruction.
As a general rule, class attendance at the Academy is not compulsory. However, there are certain courses in which attendance is required. The reason for this is that the activity in the classroom itself provides students with experiences that lead to insight, understanding and skills in the subject area, although this expertise cannot be documented/demonstrated on a test or examination. The individual course descriptions specify whether class attendance is compulsory.
Students whose principal instrument is an orchestral instrument may be admitted to the elective course Orchestra Internship, which involves playing with the Norwegian Chamber Orchestra or the Oslo Philharmonic. The course comprises 15 credits and lasts throughout both years of studies. It is recommended that string players who are not admitted to this practicum select Orchestral Section Leading in the Academy's symphony orchestra as an elective course.
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 in the first academic year and one chamber choir project in the second academic year.
Study credits are used as the unit of measure to express the scope of the courses in the study programme. The complete Master's degree programme consists of 120 credits. One year of full-time study is equal to 60 credits. One credit corresponds to 27–30 hours of work, including classroom instruction and independent work.
Each concentration must have a programme coordinator with overall responsibility for monitoring that specific area of the study programme. An instructors' team with overall responsibility may be established for a specific concentration.
Assessment
The Academy’s course portfolio is comprised of courses that use the marks “pass/fail” and courses that use marks on a scale of A to F, where E is the lowest passing mark. The individual course descriptions state which system of marks will be used.
Additional provisions on assessment and examination are laid down in Chapter VI of the Regulations governing the study programmes at the Norwegian Academy of Music (lovdata.no).
A diploma will be issued when the student has passed all the courses required for a degree. All courses which are part of the study programme, as well as the marks and number of credits, will be stated on the diploma. The title of the Master’s Project will also be stated on the diploma.
Exchange
At the Academy, we facilitate the opportunity to go on an exchange as part of your degree. We have exchange agreements with Europe's leading institutions, as well as with exciting and highly ranked music education programmes across the globe. Going on an exchange will therefore not result in a prolonged study period, as one or two semesters abroad will replace tuition you normally would follow at the Norwegian Academy of Music during this time. If you want to go on an exchange during the first year of your Master's programme, you must apply for this before you know whether or not you have been admitted to the programme. It is also possible to travel during your 2nd year of Master's.
Find out more about how, where and when to exchange on NMH's web site (student.nmh.no).
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.