What will I learn

Music Performance (Master’s programme)

What will you learn?

The Master’s Degree Programme in Music Performance provides students with a solid foundation for developing a personal artistic expression and profile. The programme places strong emphasis on music performance itself. In addition to advancing instrumental, artistic, and musical skills at a high level, it is designed to educate independent and reflective musicians with a deep passion for the art.

The Artistic In-Depth Project constitutes more than half of the programme, comprising 75 credits and three master’s concerts. In addition, students complete four compulsory courses totaling 30 credits, and elective courses worth 15 credits.

The compulsory courses focus on:

  • Musician’s psychology
  • Reflection on and around your artistic work
  • Entrepreneurship for musicians
  • Interdiciplinary work at NTNU (Experts in Team) 

Through the electives, you can:

  • Develop your skills as an ensemble player in one of Trondheim’s professional ensembles
  • Work with chamber music, improvisation, or a second instrument
  • Compose for your ensemble
  • Undertake a specific project of your own choice
  • Interdiciplinary work at NTNU (Experts in Team) 

We assemble a team of teachers and supervisors to support your development and guide you through your chosen in-depth study.

Graduates of the programme earn the title Master of Arts in Music Performance.

You may choose to focus on an in-depth specialization in your individual musical performance. Alternatively, in your second year, you can explore, document, and share a chosen performative topic or project.

Jazz students may opt for the European Jazz Master (EUJAM), an exchange programme offered in collaboration with music conservatories in Paris, Amsterdam, Basel, and Berlin.

Examples of Past Projects and Specializations:

  • The interplay between viola and piano in sonatas
  • New aesthetic perspectives in experimental music for electric guitar
  • The cello’s role in Italian Baroque music
  • North Sámi joik and West African guitar traditions
  • Repetition and trance in music
  • Preparing for orchestra auditions
  • Improvisation in rock music

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

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Learning outcome

A candidate who has completed his or her qualification should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The master candidates in music performance

  • have knowledge of and can communicate and discuss relevant issues connected to their performative practice
  • have knowledge of, can analyze and discuss musical issues from a historical and contemporary perspective, both within the field of the discipline and in the public domain
  • have knowledge of artistic development and research within the field, can relate to this knowledge critically and make use of it in own practice
  • understands the relations between practice and theory, and can employ this in their own artistic development
  • have knowledge of relations between instrument, performing, physiology and psychology
  • have knowledge of entrepreneurship strategies and the labor market in their field

Skills

The master candidates in music performance

  • can perform music on a high artistic level, both individual and in ensembles
  • can integrate artistic content and performance in an insightful way, in diverse contexts
  • can work independent and goal-oriented, individually and together with others, and can initiate, carry out and manage artistic projects.
  • can shape, reflect on and present an idea for an artistic development work
  • shows ambition, independence and a personal profile in choice of repertoire

General competencies

The master candidates in music performance

  • have consciousness about standards in excellent artistic quality in their discipline
  • have self- awareness of, and mature reflections related to, ethical and social issues regarding their own and others practice, and can act according to that
  • have knowledge of how music influences the society and the education of humanity
  • shows independence in handling demanding artistic challenges, and in initiating, leading and carrying out various artistic projects
  • can acquire and communicate knowledge in a life-long learning perspective