Jazz and Contemporary Music

As part of the instrument/voice specialization, we offer intensive courses to help you develop your vocal potential and your skills as a jazz singer. You will also refine your skills on your chosen instrument and deepen your musical understanding.

As part of the composition specialisation, you will learn to develop melodies, harmonies and structures and find your own musical language.

An overview of all study modules can be found in the module plan:

Your core subject comprises approximately 40% of your coursework. You will receive one-to-one tuition and individual support. You will also receive piano lessons (or percussion lessons for pianists) and lessons in an additional subject (classical music/instrumental technique related to your instrument).

Practical experience and projects make up around 20% of your coursework. Here you can participate in various ensembles, from jazz-based repertoire to instant composing. From the third year onwards, you can also choose from an extensive list of contemporary music and composer themed ensembles.

Theory classes make up around 25% of your coursework. In theory modules, you will attend courses on topics such as:

• Music and Society
• Notation and Sequencing
• Music and Media Technology
• Composition and Arrangement
• Harmony and Rhythm
• Aural Training
• Styles and relevant artists

Optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your needs and interests. The offer ranges from research courses and lectures at the University of Bern to courses in mental training and live electronics labs.

The Y courses include interdisciplinary courses for Bachelor’s and Master’s students. These can consist of project work or talks on topics of art, music, literature and performance.

You will gain insights into our Master’s degree programmes in performance, pedagogy and composition in order to specialize after your Bachelor’s degree. You will benefit from individual coaching sessions and festival appearances as well as the opportunity to perform your own compositions live. You will also complete an internship at a music school.

The Bachelor’s thesis, consisting of a recital and a written paper, forms the final part of the degree program. In collaboration with your mentors, you design the recital program and choose the topic of your written thesis. Your thesis combines the skills you have acquired in artistic practice, theory and independent design into a synthesis.

You can communicate in German or French (level B2).

If the admission requirements are met, you will be invited to the examination. This consists of a practical and a theoretical part.
The examination committee consists of the head of degree programme and the relevant lecturers. To pass the examination, you must achieve a minimum grade of 4 in all examination areas.

Examination of main instrument

1. Jazz Standard with Improvisation (no transcription)
From three prepared standards, the jury will select one piece for you to perform with an available rhythm section. Please bring 4 copies of the lead sheets.

2. Piece of Your Choice (max. 4 minutes)
Stylistically open – original compositions are welcome. You may perform the piece either as a duo with an accompanist (you bring your own accompanist), with the present rhythm section, or with a play-along track (CD/laptop). Please bring scores/lead sheets if applicable.

3. Solo Performance (max. 2 minutes)
From traditional to free (no stylistic limitations)

4. Optional: Spontaneous Task
No preparation required

Total duration of examination: 30 minutes (15 minutes performance, 15 minutes interview). We will provide a professional rhythm section with piano, bass, and drums. Available equipment: piano, drums, amplifiers, PA system, CD player, practice rooms.

Theory examination: aural training und rhythm

1. oral

• Sightsinging a simple melody line
• Singing the fournote chords commonly used in jazz and their inversions in arpeggiated form (ascending and descending)
• Sung improvisation over a scale, a simple cadence or harmony sequence to a playalong

2. written

• Transcription of various audio examples without the help of the instrument (melody, harmony, rhythm, meter, form)
• The playback devices fort he written part are provided including headphones

Theory exam: Harmony
 

• Functional analysis
• Identification of piano voicings as chord symbols
• Scale recognition
• Harmonisation of an 8bar melody with chord symbols

The examination results will be sent to you in writing. Candidates with exceptional instrumental and musical skills but insufficient theoretical knowledge may be admitted on a provisional basis. The missing subject areas must be made up later.

The PreCollege of the Swiss Jazz School in Bern is an intensive course to prepare for the Bachelor entrance exams at the Swiss Jazz universities.