Composition (Bachelor of Music)

Course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Music
Regular course length: 8 semesters

Incontri (= Italian for “encounters”) is the name of the Institute for New Music at the University of Music, Drama and Media Hannover (Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover - HMTMH).
This Institute of the HMTMH offers diverse and flexible opportunities for up-and-coming composers and thrilling encounters between composers, improvisers, interpreters and the public in the field of New Music. The Institute assists and promotes its students both in traditional composition and in improvisation, interdisciplinary projects and experiments.
At the same time, Incontri stands for an open aesthetic position with the aspiration to provide the highest level of quality. Practical aspects are particularly emphasised in its work, so that students have numerous opportunities to experience their works in performance. The work is distinctly international, and enriched by the variety of cultures from which the students are drawn. From the encounter between manifold traditions and new, exciting issues, Incontri strikes the sparks which will ignite the music of the future.

  1. Course content and objective / Tuition
    The course offers sound and broadly based tuition in Composition with the widest variety of areas of work and of opportunities in the fields of instrumental and electronic composition, including interdisciplinary work. The aim of the course is to develop the student of composition into an autonomous and original personality in his or her craft.
    The programme of tuition is distinguished by theoretical and practical work in individual tutorials, seminars, workshops, master classes, concerts and special projects.
  2. Who is the course aimed at?
    Applicants for this course should be able to demonstrate their particular aptitude for and a great interest in the major focuses of composition as a subject. It is desirable for them to be able to present their own first compositions (instrumental and/or electronic) and possibly also other first works (instrumentation, arrangement, stylistic exercises etc.). Further information can be found in the field "Information on the entrance examination" on the right.
  3. Career outlook
    The Institute for New Music attempts to provide its students with the broadest possible training, so that graduates are guaranteed to be extremely flexible, and have the opportunity to follow a variety of professional directions (freelance, teaching, applied music, improvisation, research etc.).

Programme learning outcomes

 

The Bachelor's degree programme in Composition offers a broad and well-founded education in composition with a wide variety of fields of work and opportunities in the areas of instrumental and electronic composition, including interdisciplinary work. The aim of the Bachelor's degree programme is to develop an independent compositional personality.

The contents include the main subject (instrumental and electronic composition) and the closely linked new music seminars, a basic education in musicological methods as well as music theory knowledge and working methods, comprehensive ear training (both in older music and music of the last 100 years) as well as a broad education in various additional subjects, including independent creative instrumentation.

The programme focuses on teaching through various forms, including both theoretical and practical work in individual lessons, seminars and workshops. The experience is rounded off by the opportunity to take part in masterclasses, concerts and special projects. This not only imparts basic professional qualifications, but also the additional organisational skills required for the desired activity. The wide range of teaching formats and the many other qualification measures give students the opportunity to get to know composers of different styles in Germany and abroad, to reflect on these encounters and to build connections in the wider network of contemporary music.

With the knowledge and skills they have acquired, graduates are able to apply for jobs on the labour market as well as for further study via Master's programmes. On the labour market, employment is usually on a freelance basis, made possible by the broad knowledge and skills acquired, including the ability to fulfill commissions for performances and compositions in various areas. Students have also begun to develop their own areas of specialisation and their own artistic profile, which enables them to move on to a postgraduate Master's course with the further qualification opportunities available there.

 

Download (partly just available in german language)

You want to learn more about the department of new music?

Website www.incontri.hmtm-hannover.de

Representative Professor

  • Prof. Dr. Aaron Cassidy

    Professor for Composition, Director Incontri – Institute for New Music

    Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media, Institute for New Music
    Neues Haus 1, 30175 Hannover

    aaron.cassidy@hmtm-hannover.de
    More information:

Examination Office

  • Cordula Ratajczak

    Department for Studies and Teaching | Examination Board Musical Performance B. Mus./M. Mus., Composition B. Mus./M. Mus.

    Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
    Neues Haus 1, 30175 Hannover
    E015 | Loebensteinstraße 2

    Phone: +49 (0)511 3100-7230
    cordula.ratajczak@hmtm-hannover.de

    Office hours: Mo 09:30-12 Uhr | Di 09:30-12 Uhr und 14-15:30 Uhr | Do 14-15:30 Uhr | und nach Vereinbarung

Student Registration Office

  • Beate Heitmüller

    Department for Studies and Teaching | Matriculation Office, Examination Office Junior Students, Solo Class

    Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media
    Neues Haus 1, 30175 Hannover
    E007 | Loebensteinstraße 2

    Phone: +49 (0)511 3100-7223
    I-Amt@hmtm-hannover.de

    Office hours: Mo 09:30-12 Uhr | Di 09:30-12 Uhr und 14-15:30 Uhr | Do 14-15:30 Uhr | und nach Vereinbarung

Last modified: 2024-03-20

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