Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting (Aarhus) (MA)
The Master’s programme in Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting is a two-year, full-time programme (120 ECTS) for those wishing to specialise in choral conducting and further develop their artistic, pedagogical and leadership skills at a high international level.
With practical choral conducting at the heart of the programme, you will explore conducting techniques, vocal work, arranging, improvisation and creative musical leadership. You will develop your individual artistic identity while strengthening your ability to lead, inspire and develop choirs and vocal ensembles.
How do you create an authentic and compelling musical expression in jazz/pop choral music? And how can improvisation, creativity and musical interaction become an integral part of a choir’s artistic development?
These questions are central to the programme, where you will explore contemporary musical approaches and innovative methods, building on your own artistic and pedagogical practice.
You will join an inspiring international learning environment alongside students from around the world, working closely with fellow students and an internationally recognised team of educators with extensive experience in Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting.
Main Subjects and Faculty
The programme is taught by an internationally recognised team of educators with extensive artistic and pedagogical experience from leading vocal music environments, including collaborations and professional connections with Bobby McFerrin, The Real Group, Touché and Vocal Line.
The main subject is organised around four areas of specialisation that together support your artistic, vocal, conducting and pedagogical development:
- The Intelligent Choir Philosophy & Vocal Painting with Full Professor Jim Daus Hjernøe
- Singers’ Tools with Honorary Professor Peder Karlsson
- Conductors’ Toolbox with Teaching Associate Professor Jesper Holm
- Arranging & Interpretation Tools with Associate Professor Malene Rigtrup
The programme is further enriched by international guest educators offering specialised expertise in areas such as beatboxing and concert design.
In addition, the curriculum includes a range of supporting subjects: ear training, theory of improvisation, Singing, Playing and Movement (SSB), vocal studies, piano, voice theory, arranging, entrepreneurship, theoretical pedagogy and ensemble singing.
You will also participate as a singer in RAMA Voices and have the opportunity to choose an elective flex subject.
Programme Structure and Teaching
The programme combines intensive on-campus boot camps in Aarhus with weekly online classes and individual live coaching.
This flexible approach brings together students and educators from different countries in a shared international learning environment, while allowing you to continue developing your artistic and pedagogical practice within your own musical community.
Boot Camps in Aarhus
The programme includes eight intensive on-campus sessions per academic year, including regular boot camps, a winter camp and an examination camp. Regular boot camps run from Tuesday to Saturday and require in-person attendance at the Aarhus campus.
These sessions provide opportunities for intensive artistic and pedagogical development, practical choral conducting, collaboration and the exchange of ideas and experiences with faculty and fellow students.
Between boot camps, students and educators meet for weekly online classes, ensuring continuity in their artistic and professional development.
Find the upcoming boot camp dates here.
Individual Live Coaching
As a student, you will receive four individual live-coaching sessions each year via Zoom.
During these sessions, you invite your teacher and fellow students to join one of your own choir rehearsals, where you receive direct feedback on your conducting and have the opportunity to reflect on your artistic and pedagogical choices.
Live coaching creates a close connection between your studies and your professional practice, while offering valuable opportunities to learn with and from fellow students working in diverse musical environments around the world.
A Collaborative Learning Environment Across Programmes
The Master’s programme forms part of a wider international community for Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting at RAMA Vocal Center, The Royal Academy of Music.
Through collaboration and selected joint learning activities, you will engage with students from several programmes:
- Bachelor of Music in Music Leadership – Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting
- Master’s Programme in General Music Leadership
- Professional Master in Jazz/Pop Choir Directing – a two-year, part-time continuing education programme
- Advanced Postgraduate Diploma (Soloist) in Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting – the Academy’s highest level of artistic education
This collaboration across programmes creates a dynamic learning environment where students with different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives inspire one another, share knowledge and develop their artistic and pedagogical practice together.
Curriculum
You can find detailed information about the programme’s academic content, structure and learning outcomes in the curriculum.
Find the relevant curriculum here.
Admission and Entrance Examination
Are you ready to take the next step in your development as a choral conductor within an international artistic and pedagogical environment? We look forward to hearing from you and discovering your individual musical approach to choral conducting.
View the admission requirements.
Application deadline: 1 December 2026.
The entrance examination is designed to give you the opportunity to demonstrate your artistic, musical and pedagogical skills, as well as your individual approach to choral conducting.
You may choose to take the entrance examination in person in Aarhus or remotely through video recordings and videoconferencing.
The examination consists of two parts:
Part 1: Choral Conducting (30 minutes)
You will work with a vocal ensemble at intermediate or advanced level, consisting of at least 12 singers performing in a minimum of four voice parts.
You will demonstrate your ability to work on musical details in previously rehearsed repertoire, as well as rehearse an assigned piece provided in advance.
You may bring your own vocal ensemble to Aarhus or complete this part of the examination through video recording and videoconferencing.
Part 2: Interview, Singing and Piano Assessment (30 minutes)
This part includes an interview and assessments in singing and piano. You may choose to complete the examination in person at the Aarhus campus or remotely via videoconferencing.
Contact
Are you interested in the programme, or do you have questions about its content, the application process or the entrance examination?
You are very welcome to get in touch. We will be happy to tell you more about the programme, answer your questions and help you explore your opportunities at RAMA.
Full Professor Jim Daus Hjernøe
RAMA Vocal Center
The programme is part of RAMA Vocal Center at The Royal Academy of Music – an international centre dedicated to Jazz/Pop Choral Conducting, vocal music, and the development of innovative artistic and pedagogical practices.