Music

Brief information about the "Integrative Composition Bachelor of Music" study course

1.) General information

The “Bachelor of Music in Integrative Composition” course combines four central artistic subjects (CAS).

These are:

  • Instrumental Composition
  • Electronic Composition
  • Composition and Visualisation
  • Pop Composition

One of these subjects is the central artistic subject (CAS), to be studied during the entire study course. The other subjects are studied as integrative artistic subjects (IAS) for one year each. If the relevant requirements are met (sufficient previous knowledge in Jazz Theory and Arrangement), then it is possible in the 3rd and 4th years of the course to study the subject Jazz Composition/Arrangement (from the Bachelor Jazz Performing Artist course) as an additional artistic subject in the Jazz Department.

2.) Curriculum and study course

The study course modules contain various, mostly CAS-specific part-modules and events in the following categories:

  • Composition (CAS/IAS)
  • Theory (e.g. composition, instrumentation, analysis, sound synthesis)
  • Practical (e.g. instrument playing, aural training, performance practice, ensemble direction)
  • Academic (e.g. music history, acoustics, study of instruments)
  • Project (e.g. Folkwang Labs)

There is, in addition, an elective module containing various integrative composition modules and events (e.g. music informatics, live electronics, rhythm and groove) plus an optional area with offers outside of integrative composition. The detailed semester plan is available on the website basic info as attachment to the examination regulations

3.) Establishing artistic aptitude

The works presented for the CAS provide the basis for establishing artistic aptitude. These may be submitted as scores, CDs/tapes, videos etc. Furthermore, there will be a theory examination, which must be passed. For the Instrumental composition CAS, this is identical with the general theory examination, whereas for the other CASs it consists of a general part and a part related to the chosen subject.

Example: general part for all CASs except Instrumental Composition
Example: subject examination Composition and Visualisation
Example: subject examination Electronic Composition

Example: subject examination pop composition

4.) Frequency

Students are admitted in the winter semester (the beginning of October). The qualifying examination is usually held in mid-May/early June (the precise dates are available here).