Department of Music
Information for applicants for studies at the Department of Music in academic year 2010-2011
Important dates
| Diploma and Undergraduate Programmes |
|
| Deadline for submission of applications | Mars 15, 2010 |
| Evaluation exams | April 7, 2010 |
| Auditions and interviews | April, 8-9, 2010 |
| Notifications of admiitance mailed | May, 2010 |
| Autumn term begins | August 23, 2010 |
| Graduate Program in Composition |
|
| Deadline for submission of applications | May 10, 2010 |
| Interviews | June 1, 2010 |
| Notification of admittance mailed | June 2010 |
| Autumn term begins | September 7, 2010 |
| Joint Master of New Audiences and Innovative Practice | |
| Deadline for submission of applications | April 16, 2010 |
| Auditions and interviews | May, 2010 |
| Notification of admittance mailed | June, 2010 |
| Autumn term begins | August, 2010 |
Electronic form for the Department of Music
Postal adress for applications
Iceland Academy of the Arts
Department of Music
Sölvhólsgata 13
101 Reykjavík
About the Department of Music
The Department of Music offers a 180 ECTS specialized program leading to a B.Mus. degree in instrumental/vocal performance, and a general music program leading to a B.A. degree in which students can choose to specialize in composition (branches into general composition, new media, film music, stage music and production), music education or church music.
The Department offers also a special 80 ECTS diploma program, which is intended for students who are still in secondary school but meet the demands of the Academy with regard to musical knowledge and ability. These students must be at least 16 years old and have finished courses in music theory, harmonic analysis and aural skills in secondary music schools.
There are two graduate programmes at the Department of Music: 120 ECTS programme in composition leading to a M.A degree and a 120 ECTS M.A programme in Joint Master of New Audiences and Innovative Practice.
The goal of the Department of Music is that students learn to work independently, increase their knowledge and ability and develop as free-thinking artists. The program shall meet international demands and reflect the wide range of opportunities for musicians in musical performance, music creation, and music education. The program shall exhibit professionalism and creative thought. Graduates of the Department of Music shall be a source of enrichment for society.
The academic year is divided into two 15 week terms, which are broken down into shorter periods of instruction. This creates flexibility in the program and opportunities for inviting foreign guest teachers for special projects. It also allows students to take elective courses at other departments and facilitates cooperation among students in the Academy’s four departments. The department emphasizes that music has no borders and it is therefore its role to educate musicians for a wide range of jobs in music.
All students receive private instruction in their main subject area, as well as group instruction and master classes. The Department prides itself in getting both nationally and internationally renowned guest musicians.
Participation in ensemble groups of various sizes is an important part of the education provided by the department. These can be traditional chamber music ensembles, orchestras, or improvisation of various natures. In addition, students are encouraged to create their own ensembles. Students are expected to perform in concert at least once every semester. All of the department’s concerts are recorded and pod-casted on the Academy’s website.
The diploma program, which generally takes two years, ends with a concert. If a diploma student chooses to complete a bachelor’s degree, s/he must apply for it before the end of the fall semester of the second year. All of the credits will then automatically be transferred and the student continues the full time program.
Study Programmes
Diploma studies
Instrumental / Vocal Performance:
-Piano
-Strings/Winds
-Voice
-Other
B.MUS.- degrees
Instrumental / Vocal Performance:
-Piano
-Strings/Winds
-Voice
-Other
B.A. - degrees
Music Education and Communication
Church Music
Composition:
-General Composition
-New Media
-Film Music
-Stage Music
-Production
M.A. - degrees
Composition
Joint master of new audiences and innovative practice
Admission Requirements
The Iceland Academy of the Arts seeks talented and creative individuals with a solid basic education and a primary knowledge of art. To qualify for consideration of admission, applicants must meet both general and specific requirements
a. General requirements
Basic qualification for acceptance into the IAA is a secondary school exam (Icelandic stúdentspróf) or completion of an equivalent program. Applicants who do not meet these general requirements must demonstrate maturity and knowledge which can be evaluated as equivalent to the missing education. A detailed explanation must be enclosed with the application form.
b. Specific requirements
In addition to the general requirements, applicants must meet additional requirements regarding their knowledge of music. The assessment criteria are that the applicant has completed a secondary level according to the national music school curriculum guide or the equivalent.
All those who meet the general requirements are invited to an evaluation exam in music theory, harmonic analysis and aural skills.
Admissions process
B.Mus. and Diploma in Instrumental /Vocal Performance
- Applications are evaluated on the basis of general requirements
- Evaluation exam in Music Theory
- Auditions (Instrumental/Vocal Performance)
- Final results
B.A. in Composition, Music Education and Communication and Church Music
- Applications are evaluated on the basis of general requirements
- Evaluation exam in Music Theory
- Admissions committee evaluates the portfolio of the applicant
- Interviews
- Auditions for Organ (for the programme of Church Music)
- Final Results
Auditions
Instrumental/Vocal Performance
Applicants for instrumental/vocal performance need to attend special auditions (see specific instruments below). The total length shall not be less than 20 minutes. Applicants are expected to demonstrate knowledge equivalent to at least the 7th grade of secondary music school.
Please, notice that students are expected to provide their accompaniment for the auditions. International students can contact the department office for further information.
Piano students
1. One piece by J.S. Bach
2. One etude
3. 1st part of a classical sonata
4. A piece from the romantic or a later era (8-12 min.)
Strings students
1. One piece by J.S. Bach
2. One etude (Paganini or equivalent for violins)
3. A major movement from a sonata
4. A major movement of a concert (the sonata and the concert should not be from the same era)
All or parts of the works must be performed without the use of sheet music.
Winds and brass
1. One etude
2. A movement from a sonata or a piece by a 20th century composer
3. A work of the student’s own choice
Flute students should additionally perform one piece by J.S.Bach or another Baroque composer.
Voice students
1. An aria from an oratory or cantata (Bach, Handel or the equivalent)
2. A non-Icelandic “Lied” from the 18th or 19th century
3. A non-Icelandic “Lied” from the 20th century
4. An Icelandic song
5. An aria from an opera
The repertoire shall be around 20 minutes long and each piece shall be sung in the original language.
B.A. degree in Composition
Applicants for the composition program must send in a portfolio with their application containing samples of their work. The portfolio’s contents will be evaluated by the Admissions committee. For further information about the contents, see below.
Students in a selected group will be called in for an interview in which the material they provided is reviewed and they get a chance to demonstrate their talent and knowledge in other fields of music. Special emphasis is put on their ability to play an instrument.
B.A. degree in Music Education and Communication
Applicants for musical studies in music education and communication must send in a portfolio with their application containing samples of their written work and/or other work they believe will demonstrate their talent. The portfolio’s contents will be evaluated by the Admissions committee. For further information about the contents, see below.
Students in a selected group will be called in for an interview in which the material they provided is reviewed as well as their general professional intentions. As part of the interview, the applicant must demonstrate an ability to sing or and/or play an instrument. S/he is therefore expected to prepare a short repertoire (5-15 min.)
B.A. degree in Church Music
This study programme is a cooperative programme with the National Church’s Music School. In addition to the Entrance Exam, the admission requirements for this programme is to have completed a Church Musicians Examination (from the National Church’s Music School in Iceland or an equivalent exam).
M.A. degree in Composition
An application is not valid until the Department of Music has received the following documents:
- Successfully submitted electronic form
- Signed print-out of the electronic form
- Passport photo
- Certified copy of school transcripts
- C.V.
- 2 letters of recommendation
Portfolio
Applicants for the Composition and the Music Education programme must put together a portfolio of their work, which they send in with their other application materials. The portfolio should include:
- Work that demonstrates talent for independent artistic work and/or
- Work that demonstrates talent for academic work
The work should reflect the student’s personality, main interests and what capacity s/he has for creative work and for presenting his/her work. The work does not have to be fully complete or arranged. Sketches, texts, writing samples, recordings and musical work can also be included. In fact, any piece of work that in the student’s opinion will in some manner reflect his/her aspirations in a particular area and demonstrate the student’s ability to reach a goal can be included in the portfolio.
Tuition Fee
Full tuition for the school year 2009-2010 is 160.000 ISK per semester or 320.000 ISK in total. The tuition fee for the first semester must be paid before August 2, 2009.
Language of Instruction
Please, notice that the instruction on the bachelor level at the Iceland Academy of the Arts takes place in ICELANDIC, with the exception of classes taught by foreign guest teachers.
Further Information
Sóley Björt Guðmundsdóttir, Department Secretary
Department of Music
Sölvhólsgata 13, 101 Reykjavík
TEL: +354 552 5020
FAX: +354 562 6314
