Entrance examinations for composition

You can choose to take the audition at several levels of the Academy.

The entrance examination consists of the following elements:

Principal study (duration: 30 minutes incl. assessment)

The application must contain the following information:

  • The applicant's expectations towards the curriculum
  • The applicant's previous education and possible professional experience (please enclose documentation)
  • The applicant's previous artistic activities, if any

The applicant must submit 3-6 of his/her compositions (works and/or movements) together with the application form. The submitted compositions can be in written form and/or as recorded material.

The applicant may be invited to a discussion with the examiners about the submitted compositions.

Assessment

What do the examiners focus on?

The panel of examiners’ professional assessment of the submitted compositions depends on their nature (scores, electroacoustic compositions, installations, etc.). The panel evaluates the stylistic orientation of the works and the use of the medium (solo instrument, voice, ensemble, electronics, etc.) in relation to the intended artistic expression.

The examiners consider, among other things:

  • instrumentation/knowledge of instruments and notation (scores)  
  • knowledge and use of compositional tools (electrophony)  
  • awareness of form and control over the sonic progression  
  • technical compositional proficiency  

You will normally be invited to an interview, during which the panel will ask follow-up questions related to the above aspects. The purpose of the interview is to give the examiners an overview of your general insight into other professionally relevant areas such as current aspects of the contemporary music scene, significant composers, influential movements, etc.

These aspects are included in an overall assessment, in which the panel evaluates, among other things, whether the applicant has the professional qualifications necessary to follow and complete the principal study course in composition programme.

The entrance examination is assessed by two internal examiners and one external examiner. 1 mark is awarded according to the 7 point grading scale. The test will be passed succesfully, only if the applicant has achieved a minimum mark of 02 in the principal subject examination. 

Supplementary requirements

Written Theory Tests

  • Harmonization: Four-part homophonic harmonization of melody in major or minor (4 hour test with a piano at disposal)
  • Counterpoint: 6 hours with a piano at disposal. The applicant's own choice of either:
  1. A 3-part imitation vocal movement in Palestrina style (12-16 bars) with a given theme and text.
    or
  2. A 3-part fugue exposition for a keyboard instrument in Bach style with a given theme which must be developed into a new entrance or cadence.
    or
  3. 3-part dodecaphonic movement (12-16 bars) for three freely chosen instruments on the basis of a given twelve-note row.

On the application form the candidate must state which of the three tests of counterpoint he/she wishes to take. 

Oral theory tests

  • Analysis: Discussion of a work or excerpts from a work. One hour preparation time with score and recording.
  • Score knowledge: The applicant must explain the standard arrangement of a classical full score and the use of transposing instruments.
  • Piano sight reading of a Bach chorale notated on two staves (or a movement with a similar degree of difficulty).

Oral theory tests are taken at the same time. Duration: approximately 30 minutes + 1 hour's preparation.

The theory tests are evaluated with one joint grade on the 7 point grading scale.

If the applicant passes the principal study audition, he or she then takes further examinations in supporting subjects: eartraining / theory. These examinations are identical for all Bachelor programmes. Furthermore an additional test in piano is required:

Piano for composers (the test is under revision)

Please note that the entrance examination in piano for composers has been changed from a January exam to a video submission, which must be uploaded along with your application. An updated description of the test will be available in early October.

  • J. S. Bach: A 3-part Invention, or another work of a corresponding nature.
  • Piece chosen by the applicant. Minimum requirement e.g. one of the more easy Classical sonatas or a Romantic or modern work with a similar degree of difficulty.

The admission candidate may demonstrate proficiency in improvisation and realization of chord symbols if he/she so wishes.

Duration: 15 minutes. The test is prohibitive. Piano for composers is assessed by two internal examiners.

The entrance examination for the Bachelor's programme is online.

The application must contain the following information

  • The applicant's expectations towards the curriculum
  • The applicant's previous education and possible professional experience (please enclose documentation)
  • The applicant's previous artistic activities, if any

The applicant must submit 3-6 of his/her compositions (works and/or movements) together with the application form. The submitted compositions can be in written form and/or as recorded material, and must show both technical and compositional skills.

The applicant may be invited to an online discussion with the examiners about the submitted compositions.

Supporting information to be prepared when applying

Piano skills: As part of their application, the applicant must describe their experience with piano playing. Piano playing as a supporting subject in all programs and is an important part of the studies at RDAM. If the applicant has no prior experience in piano playing before starting their studies, RDAM will try to adjust the classes accordingly.

If the applicant is offered a study place the applicant will be invited to a separate online interview with the relevant faculty to plan the studies. If the applicant has limited experience with theory and aural training RDAM will try to adjust the classes accordingly. 

The entrance examination consists of an audition in the principal study.

Applicants must submit 3-5 examples of their own musical compositions (works and/or movements) together with the application form. The submitted compositions can be in written form and/or as recorded material.

The submitted compositions should document the applicant’s technical skills and degree of musical expression.

The applicants may be called for an interview about their submitted works.

Duration of the entrance examination max. 20 minutes (30 minutes including assessment).

The entrance examination is assessed by two internal examiners, and a grade is awarded according to the 7 point grading scale. The entrance examination can end with a five-minute conversation about the applicant's motivation for applying, career considerations, etc. The conversation does not affect the grade but is used for mutual matching of expectations about the education.

The entrance examination for the Master's programme is online.

Applicants must submit 3-5 examples of their own musical compositions (works and/or movements) together with the application form. The submitted compositions can be in written form and/or as recorded material.

The submitted compositions should document the applicant’s technical skills and degree of musical expression.

The applicants may be called for an interview about their submitted works.

Supporting information to be prepared when applying

Piano skills: As part of their application, the applicant must describe their experience with piano playing. Piano playing as a supporting subject in all programs and is an important part of the studies at RDAM. If the applicant has no prior experience in piano playing before starting their studies, RDAM will try to adjust the classes accordingly.

The entrance examination consists of a principal study audition. It ends with a five-minute conversation about the applicant's motivation for applying, career considerations, etc.. The conversation does not affect the grade but is used for mutual matching of expectations about the education.

If you apply for the specialisation Soloist Artistic Research or Soloist with teaching qualifications (advanced level), there will also be a third round in your chosen specialisation.

You can read about the different specialisations and the content of the entrance exams here.

Applicants are requested to submit 4-5 works of different types. No less than 2 of those works must also be handed in as recorded form (in written form or as recorded material).

The applicants may be called for an interview about their submitted works.

Duration of the entrance examination: 20 minutes (30 minutes including assessment). A grade is given on the Danish 7 point grade scale. The grade is awarded by an admissions commitee.

From mid-March, you can find a preliminary schedule of the dates for the 2nd round on How to apply - EU/EEA applicants and How to apply - non-EU/EEA applicants.