Classical composition
As a Composition student at the Academy, you will be introduced to a wide range of subjects and projects that take your own compositions as a starting point and form the basis of your own choices and ambitions as regards further studies and your future career.
Study environment
The Composition programme is part of a vibrant Academy environment which encourages initiative and dedication. You can expect a wide network of contacts, allowing you make things happen in collaboration with your fellow students and external players.
As the Academy is home to both classical, jazz/pop, and electronic music students, you can try your hand at diverse projects and many different forms of artistic expression.
Contemporary music
The Academy has a strong focus on contemporary music, for example through the option of specialising in contemporary music played on classical instruments. In addition, the Academy often hosts external projects focusing on contemporary music, for example through collaboration partners such as AUT (Aarhus Unge Tonekunstnere), the SPOR festival, and the Aarhus Sinfonietta.
Teachers
Our Composition teachers are very experienced and actively pursue international careers. In addition, the Academy prioritises master classes featuring prominent names from Denmark and abroad, including composers, soloists, and ensembles. Recent visitors include the JACK Quartet (US), Francois Sarhan (FR), and Joanna Bailie (GB).
Our tuition builds on a proud tradition; former Professors and teachers include Per Nørgård, Karl Aage Rasmussen, and Bent Sørensen.
Bachelor’s degree (3 years)
The Classical Composition BMus degree (Bachelor) focuses on the development of your compositional and technical skills. You will also work with communication of music during choir and ensemble conducting, and during residential composer training. The programme is concluded with a bachelor project.
- The subjects are divided into four areas:
- 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
Master’s degree (2 years)
The Master’s programme (MMus) has a constant focus on the Composition subject. Depending on your profile, the main area of the programme also includes options for specialisation within areas such as instrumentation, performance, or other relevant support subjects.
Through the Entrepreneurial Studies subject, you acquire relevant tools for managing your artistic qualities through self-management and entrepreneur activities.
The programme concludes with a student-defined master’s project which is based on your interests and needs and also constitutes your specialisation in the composition field.
Soloist degree (2 years)
With an MMus degree, you may apply for the 2-year soloist programme (advanced postgraduate diploma) which requires an admission test and is concluded with a public concert performance.
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 the curricula for Electronic, Composition and Songwriting here.