Contemporary Music

The MMus (Contemporary Music) degree at The Royal Academy of Music, Aarhus, 2-year study course (120 ECTS credits) in which students acquire specialized knowledge, skills, and qualifications to become musicians and music teachers at the highest level. Students learn how to work within contemporary music and how to study new works and embrace their new aesthetic expression. The degree course also focuses on enabling students to become entrepreneurial driving forces in music life.

The Course Structure

The course structure has a constant focus on teaching the main instrument. The other main area of study is contemporary music, which is concluded after the third semester so that students can concentrate on their main instrument and their Masters project in the final semester. The courses in theoretical and practical teaching skills teach students how to impart their technical and musical knowledge and skills.

The entrepreneurial skills course, concluded after the third semester, provides students with the relevant tools to show their artistic qualities through self-management and entrepreneurial skills.

The MMus (Contemporary Music) degree course concludes with a student-defined project, based on their interests and needs, which also serves as part of their specialization in teaching classical music.

The Course Subjects

The course subjects are divided into the following fields:

• Main study area: Subjects where students are practising musicians plus subjects that support this aspect
• Entrepreneurial studies: Subjects and projects where students acquire skills and qualifications as entrepreneurs and leaders of dynamic processes, and acquire tools to further their careers
• Masters project: In addition to guidance on their project, students are prepared through project-related studies

The elements in the course are credited with ECTS points based on an assessment of the workload in the subjects.

In addition to the scheduled teaching students can experience:

• Projects on contemporary music and creative processes
• Master classes with internationally acclaimed musicians
• Chamber music in a rich and challenging study environment
• Orchestral projects and work experience with professional ensembles and orchestras
• And much, much more