- Bachelor of Music in Church Music – read more and apply
- Master of Music in Church Music – read more and apply
Application deadline: 15 December
Study Organ and Church Music at NMH
The multi-musician
The role of music in the liturgy is at the heart of the study programme. The repertoire as a whole is broad and covers many different genres. The programme qualifies you for work in a range of fields in Norwegian churches and congregations. You will become a multi-musician capable of everything from liturgical organ-playing to choral conducting and arranging.
As a church musician, you are part of a long-standing tradition in which you are increasingly expected to take on new roles. The design of the church music programme is the result of input from society, the Church and the educational institutions. The Norwegian Academy of Music wishes to contribute its wealth of expertise and tradition in the field with an understanding and acknowledgement of the day-to-day challenges that church musicians face.
Cantor
The bachelor degree qualifies you for the role of cantor in the Church of Norway. The standard arrangement is that you will be ordained for service in a permanent position.
Exchange opportunities
The Academy has exchange agreements with European music academies, allowing students to complete parts of their studies abroad.
Organ
Improvisation
Liturgical playing, liturgics, and hymnology
Church music choir
Programmes of study
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Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Music in Church MusicThe programme is especially aimed at preparing the student for work in the Norwegian Lutheran Church.
Full-time, 4 yr.
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Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Music Performance Classical and Contemporary MusicThis programme provides a unique possibility for you to develop as a classical musician. After having finished your studies you will have a solidly professional musical platform, and you will be fully equipped to be a performer at a high level.
Full-time, 4 yr.
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Graduate Programmes Master of Music in Church Music – Experience BasedThe Master's programme in church music is a three-year, experience-based course of study that carries 90 ECTS credits.
Part-time, 3 yr.
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Graduate Programmes Master of Music PerformanceThe Master of Music Performance is a two-year programme of music study that will help you to shape your own artistic profile and to choose areas to examine in more depth.
Full-time, 2 yr.
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Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Music with Individual Concentration (FRIBA)Do you play music that extends established music genres? Or do you want to study several different disciplines or instruments? If the other programme options don’t entirely match your goals as a student, FRIBA might be just what you are looking for.
Full-time, 4 yr.
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Undergraduate Programmes Bachelor of Music in Music EducationThis programme combines performance and teaching activities. You will have the opportunity to become a versatile and skilled musician while, at the same time, you will gain teaching qualifications for music schools, primary schools and secondary schools.
Full-time, 4 yr.
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Graduate Programmes Master of Music EducationThis programme provides an introduction to research in music education and an in-depth academic approach to music education practices and problems.
Full-time/Part-time, 2 yr.
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Continuing Studies Church Musician IWorking in a church means that your daily life will be full of music and person-to-person interactions. This programme gives you a basis for functioning as an organist in the Church of Norway or another religious community.
Part-time, 2 yr.
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Continuing Studies Church Musician IIAt the Academy, you can be educated as a cantor, even if the organ is your secondary instrument.
Part-time, 2 yr.
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Doctoral Studies The PhD Programme in Music ResearchThis programme provides a professional education in music research that will enable you to contribute to academic development within your research field at national and international level.
Full-time, 3 yr.
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Doctoral Studies PhD Programme in Artistic ResearchThe PhD programme in artistic research intends to secure high level artistic research and leads to expertise as Associate Professor.
Full-time, 3 yr.
Stories
Projects Relevant
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Music EducationRagnhild Strauman: The Church Musician's role in Christian education in the Church of Norway -
Music EducationSolveig Christensen: Church musician - calling and profession -
Performance PracticeMathias Gillebo: To Sing Reality -
Performance PracticeAnders Veiteberg: Exploring Bach’s Evangelist. -
Performance PracticeWilhelm Sollie: Arild Sandvold's organ works – in the light of Norwegian-German interpretation traditions.
Published: Mar 10, 2020 — Last updated: Oct 30, 2025