Facts

Location
Esbjerg
Start
August
Deadline
1/12
Please note: The curriculum is in Danish only. We suggest you use an online translation service in order to translate the content into your preferred language. In case of any doubts or discrepancies the Danish version prevails.

About the programme

The Master's programme Classical Musician/Singer is a practice-oriented artistic education focusing on you developing a highly relevant set of professional skills. Its purpose is to make you a proactive, competent and well-informed musician who understands how to translate reflection into professional action. The programme aims to help you develop your own artistic and professional profile as a basis for a multifaceted career in music and cultural life.

 

The Complete Musician

The Master's programme focuses on five important and mutually supportive key roles for the professional musician:


THE PERFORMER:
The performer represents the core of musicianship at Danish National Academy of Music. This is where you develop your technical, musical and artistic skills, enabling you to achieve a high degree of musicality and mastery of your instrument, as well as to communicate your artistic vision in an engaging way to different audiences.


THE TEACHER:
The teacher is your ability to communicate and convey your musical knowledge and skills. Teaching is a central part of many musicians' careers, which is why the programmes offer a strong basic pedagogical education, where you will learn to plan and implement teaching programmes for different target groups, including children, young people and adults.


THE CREATOR:
The creator is the role in which you explore and develop your own creative practice, whether in composition, improvisation, sound art or concept development. This role supports not only the traditional understanding of creating music, but also innovation in artistic expression and projects.


THE DEVELOPER AND ENTREPRENEUR:
The developer and entrepreneur role focuses on preparing you to navigate the economic and organisational realities of music and cultural life. Here you will acquire the tools to realise your own projects, create new opportunities and build a sustainable career.


THE LEADER:
The leader represents your ability to take responsibility and inspire others. This role is trained through collaboration, project management and organisational understanding, giving you the skills to take on leadership roles in various artistic, musical and interdisciplinary contexts.

Schedule, content and activities

During your master's programme, you will acquire a high level of knowledge, competencies and skills that will enable you to perform as a musician at the highest level and contribute to the development of the music industry and the arts and culture scene. You will have the opportunity to put this into practice in the large community-oriented project in the second semester, where you will apply your music and professional skills in a social and welfare-relevant context in close collaboration with an external partner. The Master's programme is a well-rounded educational programme that provides you with a foundation for a sustainable musical, artistic and pedagogical working life.

Whether you perform, teach or inspire, musicianship is central to your work, and therefore your main instrument or voice is the focal point of the programme. In addition to instruction in your main instrument, chamber music and ensemble playing are included in the programme, and during your studies you will participate in projects with professional ensembles.

You will also receive instruction in a wide range of subjects that will prepare you to make your mark on the world of music. You will receive both theoretical and practical instruction in pedagogy, entrepreneurship and a number of other supporting subjects, which will give you the prerequisites to create your own career as a professional musician, teach at various levels and conceive, launch and implement artistic projects.

In addition to focusing on teaching the main instrument and chamber music, the Master's programme also focuses on instrumental pedagogy with courses in didactics, psychology and theoretical pedagogy. You will also be taught PR and administration, where you will learn about fundraising, press relations, financial management, VAT/tax, copyright, agreements and contracts.

Besides the scheduled lessons, you can experience masterclasses with internationally renowned musicians, interdisciplinary project weeks, study trips and much more.

 

SCHEDULE

Your schedule will vary from week to week throughout the year. Some subjects are only available for limited periods during the year, while other subjects are available throughout the year. In addition to the scheduled classes, you should plan to set aside time for practicing and for unscheduled study activities such as masterclasses, workshops and concerts. When you do not have scheduled classes, you can reserve available rooms for practicing alone or with other students.

 

Related programmes

FAQ

Typical questions and practical info

Conservatory education in Denmark consists of a 3-year bachelor's degree, a 2-year master's degree and an additional 2-year soloist program.

The master's programs require that you have passed a bachelor's degree from a Danish or foreign music conservatory - or have equivalent qualifications.

You can generally apply regardless of which instrument you play.

The entrance exams require you to demonstrate your skills on your main instrument/vocal and test you in a number of general subjects such as theory and ear training.

Read more and find examples of the tests here!

The entrance exams for SDMK's master's programs are always in early January. Find the dates for the upcoming exams here.

All scheduled classes are generally held at SDMK in Esbjerg between 8 am and 6 pm. However, in connection with orchestra projects, masterclasses and other extraordinary teaching, classes may be held outside these hours.

We have collected a number of general questions and answers about finances, ECTS, study locations, credits, etc. on this page.

If you have any questions regarding the programme, please contact:

  • Head of Studies Mads Kjær Jensen
    +45 92150632 / mkj@sdmk.dk
  • Study Secretary Lene Kielsen
    +45 63119915 / lki@sdmk.dk