Universitetet i Agder

Classical Music Performance

Bachelor

Duration: 3 years

Scope: Full time

Start: Autumn 2024

Campus: Kristiansand

The Bachelor's Programme in Classical Music Performance is centred around one-to-one tuition for musicians. The aim of the programme is to develop your skills as a solo performer, a chamber musician, and a creative contributor to collaborative music projects.

This unique programme is designed to enable you to realise your musical potential and to prepare you for a future career as a musician through a variety of modules. You can choose to focus as your principal study on either your main instrument, or on two contrasting disciplines. These can be two different instruments, one instrument and composition, conducting or classical music improvisation or similar combinations. Additional principal study lectures will be offered through masterclasses, workshops, chamber music coaching and practical seminars led by high-profile performers.

An important aspect of the Bachelor's programme is to prepare you for the musical and artistic challenges of the present day, where one often needs to create a personal and flexible artistic profile. The ability to lead and take part in artistic projects and to teach is of increasing importance. Training in these areas is offered via second study modules, which are taught both academically and practically through workshops, seminars and special projects. Other essential core subjects will include aural and analytical skills, music history and critical thinking. During the last semester, the student will submit a Bachelor's thesis.

What do you learn?

Your principal study is the focal point of your musical development. You will develop your skills as a performer and gain a solid platform for your musicianship.
The programme will give you the essential building blocks to pursue a future career.
You will develop a broad solo repertoire and an essential audition repertoire and will develop important skills to enable you to lead, develop and participate in musical projects.
You will gain orchestral and choral experience, develop important skills in chamber music playing and will learn how to interact professionally at different levels.
The second study modules will strengthen your reflective and critical thinking skills to enhance your general level of musicianship. You will develop essential skills in aural training, music history, analysis and music technology.
The three-year Bachelor of Classical Music Performance will provide a solid basis to enable you to specialise further in the future.

Job opportunities

The Bachelor's Programme in Classical Music Performance can give you the skills required to launch a musical career in orchestras, opera companies or choirs, teaching or freelancing.

Course structure

Display entire program

Admission requirements

Entrance requirements are Higher Education Entrance Qualification for international applicants and certified language requirements in English.

Higher Education Entrance Qualification

The general basis for admission to universities and university colleges in Norway is called Higher Education Entrance Qualification. You may find what is considered university entrance qualifications from your country in the 'GSU' list. This list states the basic requirements for admission to higher education in Norway. Please download the latest version of the 'GSU' list from this website.

Application period

The application period is from 1 November to 15 December.

Specific requirements for music students

Successful completion of entrance examinations in your main instrument, aural training and theory.
The entrance examinations include:

An aural training and theory assessment
An audition on your main instrument
An interview

Overseas (non-Norwegian) applicants who are not able to attend in person for the entrance examinations can be offered digital assessments in theory and aural. The audition can be carried out by sending a verified audio-visual recording of a 25- minute performance by the candidate (performing repertoire of their own choice), and interviews can be conducted on Skype.

For further information about the admission requirements click here.

Recommended prerequisites

Solid skills on your main instrument
Basic skills in music theory and aural training

You should have a solid knowledge of the standard repertoire and a strong basic technique on your main instrument. You should have creative ability and an interest in musical and artistic communication.