Music Theory (MA)

The Royal Academy of Music Aarhus/Aalborg is the only music academy in Denmark to offer bachelor and master's programmes in music theory. The programmes give you the knowledge necessary to work as a music theorist and music teacher at the very highest level.

Theory and practice

The education in music theory includes versatile studies of European score music from both theoretical and practical perspectives. During tuition, the student is introduced to various theories about music, including classical theories about form, harmony and counterpoint as well as modern theories about acoustics, perception and music psychology. In the practical studies, students are among other things working with harmony, counterpoint, arrangement, instrumentation as well as the preparation of pedagogical teaching materials.

Meeting other students

Music theory is a specialized education with very few students, which is why large parts of the classes are studied together with other groups of students such as classical musicians (general studies), classical composers (instrumentation) and church musicians (harmony, counterpoint and arrangement). This ensures both a high level of teaching and a social anchoring at the academy. Part of the education also includes electives, which provide the opportunity to gain an insight into e.g.  aspects of jazz/pop and electronic music.

Job opportunities

The bachelor’s degree is a basic education, where you are introduced to many subjects, while the master’s degree to a greater extent gives the opportunity to adapt the student’s prerequisites, ambitions and interests. The education is aimed at teaching, e.g. at church music schools, MGK and the conservatories, at communication and outreach, e.g. as a writer or music critic, as well as artistic development.

Teachers

The teachers are experienced music theorists who have worked with research (see e.g. articles on orchestration/instrumentation here and here or on interpretation here), respectively with own practice as church musician.

The programme

All master’s degree programmes (cand.musicae) include entrepreneurship and culminate in a master’s project.