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Apply for the Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance

 

· Application deadline: 20 February

· Video audition: submission of a video recording by 20 February

· Life auditions in April, upon invitation.

· Application fee: CHF 100.-

 

Summary

To apply for the Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance, you must complete the following steps:

  • by 20 February: complete the online application form, upload the required documents, and submit a video recording (between 15 and 30 minutes in length) through the admissions portal. Applicants who are currently immatriculated in the Bachelor, Master, MAS in Music Performance and Interpretation, or MAS in Contemporary Music Performance and Interpretation programmes at the University of Music of Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana are exempt from this pre-selection phase and will be invited directly to the in-person entrance examinations;
  • if you pass the video audition, take the entrance examinations in presence;
  • if admitted, confirm your registration by the deadline.

All the information you need to complete the admission process can be found on this page.

 

Admission requirements

Admission to the Master of Arts in Specialized Music Performance, is conditional on:

  • successful completion of a Bachelor of Arts in Music or equivalent musical education;
  • passing an admission exam;
  • the availability of places.

 

How to apply

The online application form can be access through the following link:

Online application form

 

Once you have completed the application form, you will need to upload the required documents to the applications portal. Precise instructions on how to access the applications portal are sent via email.

Required documents

The following documents must be uploaded to the applications portal:

  • Confirmation of payment: those who decide to pay for the application fee via bank transfer, should upload a copy of the transfer confirmation.
  • Link(s) to the video audition with a programme lasting between 15 and 30 minutes (maximum 5 links)
  • programme of the video audition (see below)
  • programme of the live audition (see below)
  • copy of ID or passport, which must be readable with both personal information and expiration date of the document clearly visible.
  • copy of the Access diploma to university studies: for the Master of Arts, the access diploma is the Bachelor of Arts (or equivalent). Candidates who are sitting their diploma exams in the current academic year should attach a self-certification that the qualification will be obtained by the start of the academic year being applied for.
  • curriculum vitae et studiorum: in list format, not in prose.
  • motivation letter: in which candidates state the motives that inspired them to choose the study programme to which they are applying.

An application is considered complete if it includes all the required information.

Application fee

The application fee of CHF 100.- (plus transaction costs), can be paid in any of the following ways:

  • online payment with a credit card or PayPal account, through the applications portal. In this case it is not necessary to upload a transaction receipt in the portal;
  • payment by bank transfer. In this case, a copy of the transaction receipt must be uploaded to the applications portal. All information necessary for the transfer are available in the Fees and Charges page on our website, under the "Payment details section.

 

Admissions procedure

The procedure is structured in two phases:

  • a pre-selection based on a video recording (video audition);
  • a second in-person phase involving two practical tests (auditions) and an interview.

Further information on the different tests can be found under “Frequently Asked Questions”.

 

Calendar for the live examinations

Those who pass the pre-selection will receive timely invitations by email to the various examinations, which will take place in April.

 

The University School of Music reserves the right to make changes to the schedule of entrance examinations at any time.

Frequently asked questions

  • No specific exam repertoire is established for any instrument. However, the freely chosen programme must consist of pieces from different styles and periods and may be performed, even partially, in the following selection stages:

    • Pre-selection: the video recording must have a duration between 15 and 30 minutes;
    • First practical exam: the program must have a total duration of at least 30 minutes;
    • Second practical exam: the program must have a total duration of at least 60 minutes.

    During the exam, the committee may require candidates to perform only part of the programme.

  • The video recording total duration must be between 15 and 30 minutes. No specific examination repertoire is stipulated for any instrument. However, the programme must consist of pieces from different styles and eras. Single movements of larger pieces (Sonatas, Concertos) are also permitted.

    Important considerations:

    • The 15-30 minute video audition programme may be submitted in separate parts (videos).
    • all pieces must be recorded in a single take, i.e. no cutting or editing within a piece is permitted nor within a single movement, in the case of works consisting of several movements;
    • the camera must be oriented so that the musician and the instrument are clearly visible. In particular, the face, hands, and torso must be visible;
    • only video recordings are admitted;
    • video recordings must have been made within the six months prior to the date of application for the entrance examination;
    • the video recording must be uploaded to a video-sharing web platform (preferably YouTube or Vimeo) and the links copied to the registration portal;
    • links to files on Dropbox, GoogleDrive, WeTransfer or similar are not evaluated. Videos must be viewable from the browser without downloading files or entering passwords. Admission committees must therefore be able to watch the videos without restrictions. Example link: https://youtu.be/ZuB6r1f18Gg

  • The practical test (audition) takes place as follows:

    • candidates must arrive to the examination at the appointed time, as per the invitation received via email. For classes with a high number of candidates, a division into time slots of approximately 2-3 hours each is applied;
    • as a rule, on the day of the examination, the commission calls people by study programme, starting with the Bachelor's degree and followed by the Master's in Pedagogy, in Performance, and in Specialised Music Performance; and subsequently in alphabetical order for each study programme.

    During the examination, the commission reserves the right to make changes to the order of calls.

    Repertoire

    There is no pre-established repertoire for any instrument and candidates may present a freely chosen programme. However, the free-choice programme must consist of pieces from different styles and eras for a total duration of at least 30 minutes. During the examination, the commission may request the performance of part of the programme.

    Piano accompanist

    For all auditions (except for harp, guitar, cembalo, accordion, organ, percussions, and piano auditions), the University of Music (SUM) provides a professional piano accompanist. We remind candidates that:

    • candidates must submit the audition programme on the applications portal by 20 February, which will be forwarded to the piano accompanists;
    • candidates must bring to the audition the score for the piano accompanist;
    • it is not possible to rehearse with the piano accompanist before the audition.

    Candidates who wish to perform with their own piano accompanist, are required to inform the secretary office (servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch).

    Warm-up room

    The SUM provides a common warm-up room for all candidates. It is not possible to make further bookings for admission exams.

    What to bring

    • the scores for the piano accompanist (see above).
    • your own scores. We do not require any extra copies of the scores for the admissions commission.

    The audition rooms will be equipped with all relevant instruments—according to the nature of the audition—i.e. harp, cembalo, organ, percussions, and pianos. Candidates for all percussion Majors must inform the secretary office about the required instrumentation for their auditions; we advise percussionists to perform a repertoire that requires a reduced instrumentation, due to organizational matters. Candidates for all harp Majors must coordinate with the secretary office the use of their own instruments for the audition.

     

  • The second practical test (second audition) takes place in the form of a competition between different classes and instruments. Only those candidates who have passed the first practical test will be called for the second audition.

    Repertoire

    There is no pre-established repertoire for any instrument. For the second practical examination, the free-choice programme must consist of pieces from different styles and eras for a total duration of at least 60 minutes. The programme of the second practical test may also contain pieces from the first test and the video recording. During the examination, the commission may require candidates to perform only part of the programme.

  • At the end of the audition, candidates will be interviewed on topics related to their musical education, their future career goals, and their professional development.

  • The Conservatoire has scholarships available for admissions candidates. Candidates interested in obtaining financial support can find all relevant information on our website, at the page dedicated to Scholarships.

  • Different rules apply according to the nationality of the candidates:

  • Candidates are invited to pay attention to the customs and import regulations established by the Federal Customs Administration, with regard to traveling with musical instruments. Information on this regard may be found on the website of the Federal Customs Administration. When leaving Switzerland, candidates must observe import regulations in their destination country.

  • Applicants who successfully pass all entrance examinations will receive the admission notice and the enrolment confirmation form by email, usually in May.
    This form must be signed and returned to the Academic Office of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana within the deadline indicated in the admission notice.

    Once enrolment is confirmed, the applicant officially becomes a student of the Conservatorio. The enrollment confirmation is final and binding.

Info

Academic services

servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch