Innovative Choir Directing (MA)

The 2-year graduate programme develops your personal and professional competencies as an innovative jazz/pop choir director at an international level.

120 ECTS – full-time study

Content

How do you make vocal music sound just ‘right’ in styles such as pop, rock, jazz, gospel, world, improvisation, and vocal painting? Many choirs and a cappella groups face this challenge in rehearsal and performances featuring these musical styles.

The studies answer this challenge, where choir directors from all over the world attend as students to be educated by a renowned team of world-class teachers, ensuring the highest pedagogical and artistic level.

Curriculum

International touch

In some cases, students can participate in the weekly classes online. This option adds to the modern and international quality of the program.

Teachers

The teacher team references Bobby McFerrin, The Real Group, Touché, and Vocal Line, assisted by top guest teachers, e.g. beatboxing and concert design.

• The Intelligent Choir Philosophy & Vocal Painting by professor Jim Daus Hjernøe
• Singers’ Tools by honorary professor Peder Karlsson
• Conductors’ Toolbox by assistant professor Jesper Holm
• Arranging & Interpretation Tools by assistant professor Malene Rigtrup

Tuition includes the minor subjects ear training, theory of improvisation, rhythm and coordination, vocal studies, piano, voice theory, arranging, entrepreneurship, pedagogy, ensemble singing, RAMA Voices (as a singer), and an elective flex subject.

Structure

Eight boot camps per academic year are mandatory for all students to join in person on campus (Monday to Friday). There will be three boot camps in the fall and 5 in the spring. These are supplemented by weekly classes, which can be joined via video conference. See dates for boot camps here.

In addition, live coaching sessions via Zoom, four times per academic year per student, where students bring their teacher and fellow students to watch and supervise a choir rehearsal, no matter where they live.

Admission

Find a detailed description here.

The admission test provides a complete picture of the applicant’s musical background and teaching skills. Part of the teaching takes place via video conferencing, where students and teachers meet from different countries, which is why the admission test can naturally be conducted via video conferencing. This is optional.

The admission test consists of 2 different parts:

1) Choir leading (30 minutes). The applicant works with a mid/upper-level vocal ensemble consisting of 12 singers (or more) and a minimum of 4 voice parts. It is optional if you want to show up in person on campus with your vocal ensemble or conduct the admission test via a video recording.

2) Interview, voice- and piano test (30 minutes). In connection with the interview, a test in piano and singing will be conducted.

Important dates

• Apply no later than December 1st here
• Information meeting for applicants who have signed up takes place via video conferencing on December 4th on Zoom. Here, we give advice and guidance, and there will be an opportunity to ask questions.
• No later than December 13th, the applicants submit their thoughts concerning the planning and content of the admission test (description of the choir and chosen repertoire) to the study administration. A copy of the material (scores, lyrics, etc.) for the admission test must be submitted as a PDF.
• If you conduct the admission test online, the set assignment will be available on January 5th. Then you have a week to record a total video of 30 minutes, including all admission test requirements regarding choir leading (not the voice- and piano test). The deadline for submitting the video is January 15th.
• If you conduct the entrance exam on campus in person, the set assignment will be available on January 15th (one week in advance). You must bring your vocal ensemble for the admission test that will take place on January 22nd.
• The interview, voice- and piano test take place on January 22nd. It is optional to show up on campus in person or via Zoom.

Contact

If you have any questions about the procedure for signing up and the audition please contact Anne Vilsen at [email protected]

Other questions can be addressed Professor Jim Daus Hjernøe at [email protected]

Visit the RAMA Vocal Center.

(To watch the video, please accept marketing cookies. Cookie declaration at the bottom of the page.)