Course content

This course is specifically tailored for students in the classical performance program. It is closely integrated with the students’ repertoire and activities on their principal instrument as well as in chamber music ensembles. Central to the course is performance combined with practical and performative analysis, accompanied by critical reflection on stylistic characteristics, expressive parameters, and interpretative approaches within the framework of major/minor tonality.

The course provides an aural-based introduction to the tonal language, covering scales, motivic development, harmonic materials, progressions, voice leading across various textures, form, and aesthetics. The content of Harmony A and Ear Training A is designed to be mutually complementary. Additionally, the course includes arranging and composition tasks, as well as audio production using digital tools.

A range of written, listening-based, and practical assignments are employed to explore tonal language from multiple perspectives and to develop foundational skills in composition and arranging within diverse textures.

Core Components for All Students:

• Performance and listening projects linked to performative analysis
• Introduction to fundamental chord doubling and voice-leading techniques
• Basic composition and arranging within tonal frameworks
• Mandatory module in music technology, including an introduction to digital notation, audio formats, and recording/editing tools on digital platforms

Specialization Options: Students may choose one of two craft modules:

1. A module focusing on simpler vocal textures (two- and three-part) with an emphasis on functional music
2. A module offering in-depth study of four-part classical chorale writing

Learning outcome

Skills

The candidate:

• Is able to identify and articulate key expressive parameters in relevant repertoire and translate these observations into informed and deliberate interpretative choices.
• Can compose melodies in simple song form and create arrangements or compositions in various stylistic idioms within defined parameters. Students specializing in four-part chorale writing should be able to produce stylistic imitations at a satisfactory level of craftsmanship.
• Can transcribe music from different styles with an appropriate degree of complexity.
• Possesses fundamental skills in music technology and can utilize digital tools for audio recording, editing, and notation.

Knowledge

The candidate:

• Can explain the essential building blocks and characteristics of music based on major/minor tonality.
• Has a basic understanding of compositional techniques characteristic of music from the same historical period.
• Is familiar with elementary principles of musical form and motivic development, as well as chord usage and voice-leading within the scope of the course.
• Masters a relevant conceptual framework, can apply scale-degree analysis and chord symbols, and has knowledge of functional analysis.

Learning methods and activities

• Weekly instruction in both plenary sessions and smaller groups during scheduled teaching weeks.
• Singing and ensemble work (solo and chamber music), listening exercises, and score reading, all connected to performative analysis and critical reflection.
• Individual and group-based practice assignments throughout the academic year, with selected works presented in class.
• A final performance-based project at the end of the second semester, where students perform and reflect on interpretative choices in a self-selected piece from their own repertoire.
• A course in basic music technology: 2 hours per week for up to 8 weeks in the autumn semester and up to 8 weeks in the spring semester. The course concludes with a composition/arrangement assignment for which students are responsible for the entire process. This is carried out in collaboration with first-year students from the Bachelor program in Music Technology.

Compulsory assignments

• Satisfactory participation in compulsory instruction
• Course in Basic Music Technology
• Approved assignments
• Practical performance

Specific conditions

Required previous knowledge

Requires admission to the Bachelor's programme in Music Performance Studies.

Credit reductions