Percussion

Classical Percussion tuition builds on a solid tradition and on a thorough understanding of European and American orchestra performance practice as well as traditional music from around the world.

You will meet many different traditions, giving you the opportunity to develop your personal creativity and finding your own way among the many avenues open to the modern percussionist.

Tuition content

Tuition includes one on one and class tuition, frequent master classes featuring international artists and other special projects, plus participation in the RAMA Percussion Ensemble. In addition, you may participate in joint projects with other Academy orchestra music students and in collaboration projects with professional symphony orchestras and ensembles.

Following an audition, you may be selected for soloist assignments with professional symphony orchestras and chamber orchestras. You will also get the opportunity to attend auditions at other institutions and locations than the Academy, thereby receiving training on instruments that you do not play on a regular basis.

On the soloist programme, you may specialise in the marimba and in theatre percussion.

Freedom of choice

At the Academy, we focus on artistic citizenship and wish to bring artistic processes into play in our surroundings. Electives are offered for this purpose as part of all Bachelor and Master programmes. Other electives support the interdisciplinary collaboration, pedagogical work or allow for specialization within contemporary music and chamber music, to name a few.

Teachers

The leader of the percussion department, Associate Professor Henrik Knarborg, works with research projects in addition to tuition and is a master class teacher in international demand. Henrik is also a regular member of the Aarhus Sinfonietta. For more information, click the photo links to the right.

Other teachers are: Nikolai Petersen (Solo timpanist, Aarhus Symphony), Simon W. Sigfusson (Aalborg Symphony) og Per Holm Dahl (Aarhus Music School) .

Bachelor degree (3 years)

The bachelor degree (BMus Orchestral Music) gives you the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to become an orchestra musician, music teacher, and enterprising music industry player. The BMus programme is concluded with a bachelor project.

The subjects are:

• Main study area: Subjects where you perform, as well as subjects that support this
• Pedagogics: Subjects where you communicate and teach, as well as subjects that support this
• General studies: Elementary music theory subjects
• Entrepreneurial Studies: Subjects and projects that give you experience as an entrepreneur and similar
• Electives: Specialization within your preferred field

Master’s degree (2 years)

All master’s (MMus) programmes gives you the knowledge, skills, and qualifications necessary to become a musician or music teacher on the highest level. They are concluded with a master’s project.

The subjects are:

• Main instrument
• Chamber music
• Entrepreneurial Studies
• Electives

With a BMus degree, you may also apply for the Ear Training or Choir Conducting MMus programme. However, these MMus programmes do not include an instrument main subject.

Soloist degree (2 years)

With a MMus degree, you may apply for the 2-year soloist programme (advanced postgraduate diploma). The programme requires an admission test, and is concluded with a public concert. The aim is to educate musicians and composers at the very highest artistic level, and students will be qualified for independent artistic development processes and prepared for a career in the international music business.

Curricula

The BMus, MMus, and soloist programmes are described in detail in their respective curricula. You can find the relevant curriculum in the general overview of classical music curricula here.