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Con­tinu­ing edu­ca­tion in rhyth­mic­al ensemble con­duct­ing

  • Leads to qualification: No formal qualification.
  • ECTS: 15 credits

Admission requirements

Bachelor's degree in music and documented competence in conducting of larger jazz ensembles, or a Bachelor's degree in conducting. Applicants will need to document access to a jazz ensemble of a size that requires a conductor throughout the entire period of the study programme. Admission is based upon an assessment of the applicants relevant background and motivation for the study programme.

Programme description

The study programme is suitable for conductors who wants to update their skills relevant for leading large jazz ensembles. The student will work on the development of relevant skills and develop a basic understanding of the role as a conductor for large jazz ensembles. Normally there will be arranged three seminars in Oslo and one seminar in Hamburg. The students are responsible for covering their own expenses for travels and accommodation in relation to the seminars.

Learning objectives

Upon completing the continuing education in ensemble conducting for rhythmic music, the student should

  • demonstrate an adequate and appropriate conducting technique for large jazz ensembles
  • be aware of the balance between composed and improvised music in a score
  • be able to apply methods for creative work with scores in a rehearsal and concert setting
  • demonstrates skills in jazz related aural training and rhythm
  • have knowledge of instruments from the jazz genre and especially the rhythm section
  • have skills in planning, implementing and evaluating their own work with large jazz ensembles
  • demonstrate skills within composing, arranging and orchestrating

Organisation

As a general rule, class attendance at the Academy is not compulsory. However, for certain courses attendance is required. The reason for this is that student activities in the classroom are important experiences that lead to insight, understanding and skills in the subject area, which constitute valuable expertise and qualifications that may not be documented/demonstrated by a test or examination. The individual course descriptions specify whether class attendance is compulsory.

Read about absences and leaves of absence (only in Norwegian at lovdata.no).
ECTS credits are used as the unit of measure to express the scope of the courses in the study programme. One year of part-time study is equal to 30 credits. One credit corresponds to 27–30 hours of study including classroom instruction and independent study/academic work.

Assessment

The Academy’s course portfolio is comprised of courses that use the marks “pass/fail” and courses that use marks on a scale of A to F, where E is the lowest passing mark. The individual course descriptions state which system of marks will be used.

Additional provisions on assessment and examination are laid down in Chapter VI of the Regulations governing the study programmes at the Norwegian Academy of Music (lovdata.no).

A transcript of records will be issued when the student has passed the course(s) in the continuing education. All courses which are part of the study programme, as well as the marks and amount of credits will be stated on the transcript.

Education quality assurance

The Academy has a system for educational quality assurance and development that applies to all aspects of the education provided. Students play a vital role in these efforts by, among other things, participating in student evaluations of courses and programmes.

Read more about educational quality at the Academy (in Norwegian only).

Published: Mar 6, 2023 — Last updated: Feb 1, 2024