Content and structure

Course content.

The Major in โ€œOrchestraโ€ comprehensively examines orchestral literature in all its stylistic diversity, focuses on professional practice in symphony and opera orchestras, and prepares you for auditions for permanent positions. In the instrumental area, a team of up to four lecturers work together to optimally promote and develop the students. 
In the artistic Major, the focus is on perfecting the instrumental performance in technical terms as well as the artistic repertoire. In the optional subject, orchestra-specific secondary instruments (e.g. piccolo for transverse flute) not only offer additional opportunities in skill or sound terms but also in professional terms. 
The interplay between Major, optional subject and coordinated orchestral tuition in orchestral reductions or parts at ZHdK and in partner orchestras provides broad-based, comprehensive training. Students also participate in orchestral formations and ensembles at ZHdK. The allocation is adjusted to their professional wishes (e.g. principal, tuttist) and development goals (secondary instrument, such as the English horn, piccolo, etc.)

Course structure.

Core 

The instrumental Major focuses on musical development and perfecting the instrumental performance in technical terms. Individual tuition guarantees the inclusion of every stylistic period, the requisite mental capacity for orchestral performance to listen and focus while playing, as well as targeted development of a nuanced, flexible performance technique. The goal of the tuition is not only to be successful in auditions but also to progressively develop your artistic personality at a high level.

Extension 

With an internship in a professional orchestra, students have the opportunity
to establish themselves as professional musicians in the professional environment. They take over parts in the regular repertoire of the partner orchestra, where they rehearse and perform with their mentors.
Accordingly, the tuition focuses on orchestral parts and mentoring from experienced orchestral musicians to increase studentsโ€™ strengths and offset any weaknesses. The mentoring includes professional advice from an independent external source, which is important for job applications and career planning. In preparation for the repertoire examination and the auditions, the repertoire of compulsory orchestral extracts (reductions from instrumental orchestral parts) is compiled in a targeted manner, and students practise playing together in ensembles of different sizes and compositions.

Profile

Students are able to develop an independent professional profile and improve their use of audiovisual
communication and production forms, social media, other digital platforms and company forms. Learning and development steps are continuously reflected on, supported and documented in the digital portfolio during a mentoring session. This empowers students to take control of their career planning.

Graduation exam/project 

In the repertoire examination, students demonstrate the artistic, technical, and mental skills they have acquired with a comprehensive solo and orchestral score repertoire. The presentation of their digital portfolio not only allows them to show what they have achieved in addition to their core study, but also the skills they have acquired to promote their own career when dealing with digitality in aspects such as their online presence, social media profile and production of audiovisual materials.

Module plan:

Skills acquired in the course.

  • Comprehensive skills in working in professional orchestral formations
  • Dynamic mastery of the main and secondary instrument
  • Incorporate music history and stylistic knowledge in practice 
  • Extensive social and recital skills
  • Comprehensive literature studies
  • Effective audition preparation 
  • Knowledge of how ensembles work

Admissions requirements.

The Major in โ€œOrchestraโ€ is aimed at instrumentalists who have achieved the high level of artistic-technical knowledge required to become a member of a professional orchestra and pass an audition
for a professional ensemble. In order to consistently meet the requirements of the professional world, the course takes place with the Philharmonia Zurich (Orchestra of the Opera House, collaboration since 2008) and the Zurich Chamber Orchestra (for timpani). The Major is offered for transverse flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba, timpani, drum, harp, violin, viola, violoncello and double base.

Benefits of studying at ZHdK.

Studying at ZHdK offers a wealth of unique benefits:

  • The Specialized Music Performance Masterโ€™s is a lively degree programme with approx. 80 musicians. 
  • You will gain extensive practical experience and have many opportunities to perform thanks to the diverse relationships with the regional cultural scene and its event organizations.
  • You will enjoy an inspirational environment with colleagues and partners from around the world for discussion and collaboration in a variety of ensembles and orchestras
  • You will meet students from other artistic areas on a daily basis, make contacts and enjoy stimulating collaboration. 
  • You will study at the Toni Campus โ€“ a public cultural and university campus for all artistic disciplines that is unparalleled in its dimensions anywhere in Europe.
  • You will benefit from outstanding infrastructure, live electronics and multimedia, audio productions with in-house sound engineers, historical instrument collections and an excellent library.
  • You will have opportunities to undertake exchange semesters and various possibilities to explore other cultures thanks to ZHdK Musicโ€™s international network.