Brand-new master’s programme in Aalborg
From August 2025, RAMA will offer a brand-new master’s programme in Electronic Music Production in Aalborg, thus strengthening the commercial electronic music scene in North Jutland. At the same time, RAMA Vocal Center will move from RAMA in Aalborg to RAMA in Aarhus, making Aarhus a national powerhouse for choral conducting in both classical and rhythmic choral music.
New master’s programme in demand in the regional music industry
The new Master’s in Electronic Music Production focuses on music production within contemporary popular music expressions and provides specific professional skills in areas such as music for gaming, film, or live sound.
The master’s program is a continuation of the Bachelor’s degree in Electronic Sound and Music (ELM), which RAMA has offered in Aalborg since 2015. However, the master’s will have a much more specialized focus. At the same time, the programme will help retain talent within the field in North Jutland; until now, ELM graduates have had to move to cities like Aarhus to pursue a master’s degree.
The new master’s program meets the need for higher education focused on more commercial music production, addressing genres that, despite a large market and strong public interest, have only been partially covered by existing electronic master’s programmes.
Relevant profile
The profile of the new program has been thoroughly discussed both internally and externally, including with other Danish music conservatories and representatives from the industry.
It is pointed out that much of the music for recording and live performances today is either entirely or partially electronically produced or has been produced by an electronic producer. The producer’s role is central both in the creative artistic process and in connection with recordings, etc.
The music industry in North Jutland is struggling to keep up with demand, particularly regarding expertise in new technologies within the entertainment industry, niche performances, specialized production (gaming/sync/spatial audio), AI implementation, event management, and so on. Therefore, the industry is looking forward to the new master’s program.
Aarhus as a national choral conducting hub
Since 2004, the master’s and later the soloist programme in Rhythmic Choral Conducting at RAMA in Aalborg has significantly developed the field. RAMA Vocal Center, with its master’s, soloist, and professional master’s degrees, has gained international attention.
At RAMA in Aarhus, there is a strong tradition of classical choral conducting. At the same time, the conservatory offers the music pedagogical AM programme (General Music Leadership), aimed at both classical and rhythmic students, and which includes both classical and rhythmic choral conducting at both bachelor’s and master’s levels.
When RAMA Vocal Center moves to RAMA in Aarhus in August 2025, it will further enhance synergies between classical and rhythmic choral conducting, creating a unique environment for interdisciplinary collaboration and promoting cross-aesthetic development.
The rhythmic choral conducting programmes will also benefit from Aarhus’ strong network and grassroots scene in rhythmic choral music, including the Aarhus Vocal Festival. Finally, the move to Aarhus will provide better opportunities to strengthen and expand the network for choral conductors, thus supporting professional development.
Although RAMA’s master’s, soloist, and professional master’s programmes in Rhythmic Choral Conducting will move to Aarhus, the subject will still be part of the jazz/pop bachelor’s program in Aalborg as one of three leadership subjects and as an elective in the jazz/pop master’s programme.
With the new Master’s in Electronic Music Production in Aalborg and the move of RAMA Vocal Center to Aarhus, there will be no significant change in the overall distribution of study places between the two cities. However, the electronic music programme will be more prominent in Aalborg as a full master’s program, and in Aarhus, the various choral conducting programmes will make the city a national powerhouse for choral conducting.
Application Deadlines in March and April 2025
Master’s, soloist, and professional master’s programmes in Rhythmic Choral Conducting: March 17
Master’s in Electronic Music Production: April 7
For more information, see under Admissions.