International Ensemble Modern Academy - Master's Degree Programme at the Frankfurt University of Music and the Performing Arts

supported through scholarships from the International Ensemble Modern Academy

In 2006, the International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA) in conjunction with the University for Music and Performing Arts Frankfurt am Main (HfMDK) launched a one-year master course "Contemporary Music" for young musicians of outstanding potential in the fields of instrumental playing (flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, piano, percussion, violin, viola, violoncello, double bass, composition, conducting and sound directing.

Students admitted to the course are awarded scholarships by the IEMA, for which a separate contract is concluded. The Ensemble Modern, one of the leading ensembles for New Music in the world, grants scholarships within the framework of its International Ensemble Modern Academy (IEMA) and through support from the German Federal Cultural Foundation, kulturfonds frankfurtrheinmain and the Arts Foundation NRW (for young musicians from NRW).

In exceptional cases we may award an IEMA scholarship and allow participation in the programme without enrolment in the master course at the HfMDK. Candidates who wish to apply for this status should clearly indicate this in his/her application.

The age limit is 30 for instrumentalists and sound directors and 35 for conductors and composers.

The deadline for applications is March 1st, 2010 (arrival at university!). Stage I of the selection is based on the submitted material only. The auditions for the second stage will take place at the HfMDK in Frankfurt/Main from May 7 to 9, 2010. For more details on the entrance examination see below.

The course will run from 1. October 2010 to 30. September 2011. Events (rehearsals and concerts) of the IEMA may also take place during semester holidays.

All applicants submit the following material until 1st of March, 2010, to the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Frankfurt am Main:

• registration form (If possible use the online application form, which is available from January 2010 on)
• Curriculum vitae and photo
• copies of school / university diplomas
• statement about your motivation, personal expectations and target
• audio or audio-visual material demonstrating your current level of performance skills.
• payment document which shows you transferred the admission fee of Euro 30,-

Before applying for the entrance examination a fee of 30.00 euros must be paid into the University account (Frankfurter Sparkasse, account number: 200 138 081, bank identification number: 500 502 01; IBAN: DE23 5005 0201 0200 1380 81; SWIFT-BIC: HELADEF1822) Applications will only be accepted after payment has been received.

For further details on prerequisites please refer to the study regulations.

Selection process

Stage I is based on the recordings submitted only (CDs, DVDs only!). Candidates selected in the first stage will be invited to Frankfurt for the second stage.

(a) Instrumental playing:

On the basis of the audio material and the written application documents, a jury of members of Ensemble Modern select from the candidates those who will be invited for audition. The audio recording (CD only!) should include at least two different pieces written for a maximum of two performers; one piece should preferably be a contemporary work, but this is not obligatory. The recording need not, but may be the same as the programme prepared for the auditions.

When applying for the Master's course candidates should already submit a demanding performance programme lasting 20 minutes from which they may later play during the audition. The works must include a reference piece from the baroque, classical or romantic repertoire (piano accompaniment will be provided only for this piece if desired). The programme must also include one piece composed after 1950 and one after 1980. Candidates should bring their own accompanist for these works, if required. No pieces will be admitted with any preparation of the piano. Only pieces with very little electronics (just pre-recorded tape by CD-Player without special loudspeaker system) are allowed. The works recorded to display the candidate's current playing skills may, but do not have to be the same as those of the programme submitted for the audition.

Special requirements for percussion:

• Part 1: Marimba (two movements from a Bach Cello-Suite); snare drum: N. Martynciow "Impressions" (page 1 and 2) AND from: "Kleine Trommelschule" by Heinrich Knauer (editor Fr. Hofmeister), No. 4 and 27.
• Part 2: Marimba (one movement from a Bach Cello-Suite); Set-up: excerpts from Xenakis "Rébonds" OR Kitazume "Side by Side"; further piece of own choice (Vibraphone, Marimba, Setup, snare drum or chamber music)

(b) Conducting:

The application for admission to the master's course should also include audio-visual material (DVD only!) demonstrating the candidate's current skills. The recording should show the candidate conducting two different works of his/her own choice.
On the basis of these recordings and the written application documents a jury of members of Ensemble Modern select from the candidates those who will be invited for audition. The invitation will also notify candidates of the work to be prepared and conducted.

(c) Composition:

The application for admission to the master's course should also include two scores, one of them being not older than twelve months. Candidates are free to decide on the instrumentation of their works. If a recording exists, it should also be submitted. On the basis of the scores and the written application documents, a jury of members of Ensemble Modern select from the candidates those who will be invited to present their works at an audition.

(d) Sound directing:

The application for admission to the master's course should also include the candidates' description of their projects demonstrating their current skills. If an audio and/or video recording exists, it should also be submitted. On the basis of the recording and the written application documents a jury of members of Ensemble Modern from the candidates those who will be invited to present their projects at an audition.

Selection process, 2nd stage

The second stage - performance or presentation of the prepared works - will take place at the HfMDK in Frankfurt from May 7 to 9, 2010.

For further details, please refer to the study regulations.

Benefits and Contents of the Course

Throughout the academic year students will be given the opportunity to gain insight into the artistic methods of rehearsal and preparation of the Ensemble Modern. Individual and ensemble tuition will be given by members of the Ensemble Modern as well as guest tutors.
Students awarded the one-year scholarship will receive a monthly payment of EURO 800.00. The recipients are obliged to participate in all projects, concerts and other events of the IEMA, including those not necessarily relevant for the master's degree examination.

Instrumentalists: The course includes a one-year schedule of regular, sometimes multidisciplinary, tuition by the members of the Ensemble Modern and guests. Practical tuition, alongside all other goals, is a central part of the Academy. Instruction in instrumental playing techniques is combined with aesthetic analysis and contemplation.
When working on chamber music the focus will be on preparing a repertoire which covers pieces for soloists and for ensembles, as well as parts from the modern ensemble literature. The repertoire will be publicly performed at the Academy concerts.

Composers: The student composers may visit EM rehearsals regularly. They will be invited to work on pieces of contemporary music literature and associated playing techniques, assisted by EM members. Arrangements can also be made to work alongside guest conductors and guest composers of the EM and to present own compositions. The scholarship also embraces two commissioned compositions for the master's course instrumentalists.

Conductors: The student conductors will take part in the EM rehearsals. They will exchange ideas on matters of sound and playing techniques and other issues with the musicians and thus learn about the demands on a professional conductor, which have considerably changed during the 20th and 21st century. The conductors will be responsible for the preparation of the Academy concerts and will conduct them.

Sound directors: On the basis of the EM repertoire the EM sound director and others will teach the sound directors about the difficulties involved in sound engineering arising from works of contemporary music and the artistic and technical means to manage them. Sound directors will be responsible for all tasks in connection with sound engineering during rehearsals and concerts.

For further details of the contents please refer to the study regulations.

Further Prerequisites

Applicants for this master's degree programme should hold a degree from a college of music or a comparable institute of higher education in Germany or abroad with main subject Instrumental playing (Bachelor, Diploma, Church Music Examination or Staatsexamen for Music Teacher Training) or a comparable final degree.
Musicians who have not yet been awarded a degree may also apply for the master's degree programme. If they pass the entrance examination, they may enrol for the course and will be entitled to all the associated benefits (including an IEMA scholarship). However, they will not be admitted to the master's degree examination.

Admission to this international Master's course requires a sufficient command of the English language. In general, a sufficient command is presumed after a minimum of five years of language education at school, provided the candidate passed all courses, or by presenting a language certificate according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages of the Council of Europe, level B1.
Candidates may alternatively submit proof of sufficient command of the German language.
All students are seriously advised to acquire at least a basic knowledge of German, as any information, mails and other corresponding texts are mostly written in German.

Contact and Information

IEMA
Christiane Engelbrecht
Tel: +49 (0)69 943430-25
E-Mail: engelbrecht@ensemble-modern.com

HfMDK
Prof. Gerhard Müller-Hornbach
Tel: +49 (0)69 154007-134
E-Mail: gmh@mutare.de
Internet: www.hfmdk-frankfurt.de

All applications for admission to the Master's degree programme must be sent to the following address only and arrive at the university in time:

Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Frankfurt am Main
Studierendensekretariat
Stichwort: Masterstudiengang "zeitgenössische Musik"
Eschersheimer Landstr. 29-39
60322 Frankfurt am Main
Germany

The IEMA is supported by the German Federal Cultural Foundation.

The IEMA-scholarship students from NRW are supported by the Arts Foundation NRW.