Entrance examinations for composition
The entrance examination consists of the following elements:
- Principal study audition
- Written theory test
- Oral theory test
- Supporting subject: aural studies / theory test
- Piano for composers (video)
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:
- A 3-part imitation vocal movement in Palestrina style (12-16 bars) with a given theme and text.
or- 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-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 (video)
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.
The piano test in piano for composers is a video submission, which must be uploaded along with your application.
THE VIDEO MUST INCLUDE ALL THREE PARTS BELOW:
1) A piano piece
- J. S. Bach: A 3-part Invention, or another work of a corresponding nature.
2) A Piece chosen by the applicant.
- Minimum requirement: one of the more easy Classical sonatas or a Romantic or modern work with a similar degree of difficulty.
3) A set task
A song notated in a full arrangement (using treble and bass clefs) as well as with chord symbols.
1–3 verses of your choice are to be performed.
The task may be completed by playing the written-out arrangement, by playing from the chord symbols, or by demonstrating an alternative harmonization. If demonstrating an alternative harmonization, this version must be performed as the second or third verse. In other words, the song must first be played as notated (using either the written-out notes or the chord symbols); you may then choose to demonstrate your skills in alternative harmonization.
The level of difficulty is comparable to a song from the new Højskolesangbogen. (We will provide an example shortly.)
The assigned scales and triads will be published on this page 10 days before the application deadline (1 December).
The examination is assessed by two internal examiners and graded according to the Danish 7-point grading scale. The test is prohibitive.
Requirements for the recording
- There are no formal requirements to the quality of the recording of the proposed task. I.e. using a smartphone on the music stand is perfectly fine.
- The audition recording must clearly show the applicant in person including clear view of hands and fingers.
- The audition recording must be unedited except between performances (i.e. between pieces), and the audition must be recorded within six months of submitting your application.
- Check that the recordings have been submitted successfully.
- Accepted formats: mp4, mp3, webm and mpeg (not mov).
- The maximum size of a file that can be submitted in the online application is 1GB. Therefore, it might be necessary to divide your audition recording into individual pieces (please remember not to edit within a piece of music).
The entrance examination for the Bachelor's programme is online. It consists of three rounds, and an online screening of aural training and theoretical skills. Applicants must pass the first round to proceed to the second, and the second round to proceed to the third —these rounds are sequential and prohibitive.
- Application and compositions
- Discussion
- Piano for composers (video)
All three parts of the entrance exam must be passed.
The screening of aural training and theoretical skills is mandatory but not prohibitive.
Based on the above, RDAM will decide if the applicant is recommended for admission.
Application and compositions
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.
Discussion
The applicant may be invited to an online discussion with the examiners about the submitted compositions.
Piano for composers (video)
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.
The piano test in piano for composers is a video submission, which must be uploaded along with your application.
THE VIDEO MUST INCLUDE ALL THREE PARTS BELOW:
1) A piano piece
- J. S. Bach: A 3-part Invention, or another work of a corresponding nature.
2) A Piece chosen by the applicant.
- Minimum requirement: one of the more easy Classical sonatas or a Romantic or modern work with a similar degree of difficulty.
3) A set task
A song notated in a full arrangement (using treble and bass clefs) as well as with chord symbols.
1–3 verses of your choice are to be performed.
The task may be completed by playing the written-out arrangement, by playing from the chord symbols, or by demonstrating an alternative harmonization. If demonstrating an alternative harmonization, this version must be performed as the second or third verse. In other words, the song must first be played as notated (using either the written-out notes or the chord symbols); you may then choose to demonstrate your skills in alternative harmonization.
The level of difficulty is comparable to a song from the new Højskolesangbogen. (We will provide an example shortly.)
The assigned scales and triads will be published on this page 10 days before the application deadline (1 December).
The examination is assessed by two internal examiners and graded according to the Danish 7-point grading scale. The test is prohibitive.
Requirements for the recording
- There are no formal requirements to the quality of the recording of the proposed task. I.e. using a smartphone on the music stand is perfectly fine.
- The audition recording must clearly show the applicant in person including clear view of hands and fingers.
- The audition recording must be unedited except between performances (i.e. between pieces), and the audition must be recorded within six months of submitting your application.
- Check that the recordings have been submitted successfully.
- Accepted formats: mp4, mp3, webm and mpeg (not mov).
- The maximum size of a file that can be submitted in the online application is 1GB. Therefore, it might be necessary to divide your audition recording into individual pieces (please remember not to edit within a piece of music).
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 It consists of two rounds. Applicants must pass the first round to proceed to the second —these rounds are sequential and prohibitive.
- Application and compositions
- Discussion
Both parts of the entrance exam must be passed.
Based on the above, RDAM will decide if the applicant is recommended for admission.
Application and compositions
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.
Discussion
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.