DM20SP Degree Programme in Music

This curriculum is a translation of the curriculum of the Finnish degree program.

Curriculum responsibility: Sari Mokkila-Karttunen

Basis of Education

Specific grounds of the training programme

Graduates of the Degree Programme in Music will obtain a Polytechnic Bachelor degree and acquire the qualification of Teacher of Music (AMK). The scope of the qualification comprises 240 ECTS credit points and the anticipated duration of the studies is 4 years. The skills achieved through the training correspond to the jointly defined standards of higher education within the European Union, which allows for the movement of workforce and specialists.

The training programme of music pedagogue comprises two alternative curricula, one focused on classical music and the other on popular music genres. The training offers students solid pedagogic capabilities, technical and interpretative mastery of the student’s own instrument and a good all-round musical education with a broad basic training, applicable to various working environments. Students are encouraged to build their creativity along with developing their identity as teachers and artists. The training generates a readiness for lifelong learning, including on-going professional development, as well as an international and dynamic approach to work. The training programme also offers a basic training in entrepreneurial activities and entrepreneurial spirit.

Competence Standards

PROFESSIONAL STUDIES

Instrumental studies (45-95 ECTS cr)
The objective of the studies is that students will master the most essential styles of the music composed to their main instrument, reach both technical and interpretative mastery of their instrument and be able to independently compile a concert programme. Student will also develop good public performance skills. Student will progress through this section of studies according to the degree requirements as set for either classical or pop/jazz music.

Basics of Vocal Training (2 ECTS cr)
This course serves as an introduction to the basics of vocal control: for a natural, free control of the voice, breathing techniques for singing and speaking, voice problems, physiology of the voice, voice resonances and articulation. Part of the course provides training in basic relaxation, warming-up and breathing exercises essential for developing good vocal control.

Theory of Music and Music Analysis / Classical Music (5 ECTS cr)
Students will learn the essential terminology of music theory and will learn how to analyse musical compositions of different styles. The course acquaints students with the customary terminology of rhythm, harmonisation, melody and structural forms of musical compositions.
Student learn the basic skills of musical analysis. This course includes analysing musical pieces of various stylistic periods along with comparative analysis of the key features of these styles.


Music History (1-9 ECTS cr)
After completing this set of courses students will be familiar with the main development lines of the genre of music they are studying. The main body of the course will be devoted to characteristic stylistic features, genres and formal structures of music from different times, as well as performing conventions, variety of instruments, significant composers, various concepts of music theory and musical aesthetics. On completing the course, students will be able to apply this knowledge to their studies of their main instrument.

Ear Training, levels C and B (4-8 ECTS cr)
Students will learn to analyse music by ear and write down (notate) music they hear. These courses also include exercises in singing tonal and atonal melodies containing chromatic passages. Identification of chords of extended or wide span and perception of various harmonic structures will be practised. Musical pieces of different styles will be notated after listening to the music. Exercises of notating duple metre rhythms and rhythms of triplet (rolled) feel.

Writing Music (4 ECTS cr)
Students will master the basics of tonal harmony and voice leading in various music styles, mastering the characteristic chord (or harmonic) progressions. After completing the course, students will be able to write score parts to be played in real situations by using the Sibelius notation software.

Arranging (5 ECTS cr)
Students will learn the basics of the standard arranging styles and writing parts for the most commonly used instruments in pop and classical music. The students make small-scale arrangements and compositions for various instrumental groups and ensembles.

Basics of Free Accompaniment (5 ECTS cr)
Students learn to harmonize familiar melodies without referring to notation and create their own music for different situations by improvisation. Students will be freed from playing sheet music exclusively and will be able to accompany with the help of chord symbols and by ear, and also transpose harmony parts, when necessary.

Basics of Conducting Music (5 ECTS cr)
Students will acquire the basic skills for training and conducting choirs, ensembles and orchestras. The course consists of making arrangements for vocal and instrumental ensembles and rehearsing conductor's work in practice.

Chamber Music (5 ECTS credits)
The course acquaints students with playing folk music from Finland and/or other countries and cultures through playing together in a workshop setting.

Introduction to Band Instruments (5 ECTS cr)
On this course, students familiarize themselves with the standard band instruments and their tuning and playing techniques (i.e. guitar, bass, drums and piano), and also sound reproduction and sound effect devices. Various pop and jazz materials of different styles will be studied within the course as the participants play them in a band. During this course each student also learns the basic skills of rhythmic and harmonic accompaniment.

Workshop 1 - 4 (8 - 12 ECTS cr)
Students acquaints themselves with various phenomena of Afro-American, popular and jazz music and they master the main features of these genres, and become able to express themselves through these musical genres as a performer, possibly also by making arrangements, composing music and leading or conducting various instrumental ensembles. Students will cope in typical performing situations and know what it takes to organise and arrange a musical performance. Each year a number of workshops in different genres (e.g. pop, rock, r&b, soul, jazz, Latin etc.) will be organised according to a separately announced plan.

Jazz Harmony (3 ECTS cr)
After the successful completion of this course the student will be able to demonstrate mastery of essential harmonic features of popular and jazz music by analysing, writing and, in so far as possible, by playing them. The course covers writing tonal and modal harmonies both by using chord symbols and notated chords, harmonising melodies by using different kinds of chord types and exercises of these, and also reharmonisation and chord substitution in keeping with the style in question, and other new, contemporary harmonising techniques. The course also includes composing and arrangement exercises.

Ensemble 1 - 2 (2-4 ECTS cr)
Students acquaint themselves with ensemble singing, central ensemble repertoire and means of artistic expression. The students study ensemble work in a small groups under a teacher’s supervision and, if necessary, with the help of an accompanist.

Orchestral playing (5-10 ECTS cr)
Students will gain experience in playing in a symphony and chamber orchestra, develop an understanding of the working methods and acquaint themselves with the music written for these ensembles. The tuition may be organised in periods, and, upon agreement, some part of the course may be carried out in co-operation with a permanent orchestra, for example the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra.

Creative Production of Music 1 (5 ECTS cr)
Analysing existing compositions (their ambience, rhythm, form, melody, harmony), and making pastiches on that basis; making own compositions, followed by their critical review and revision. Introduction to sequencer, recording and notation software, to new innovations in the music technology market, advanced studio technology and digital recording, productising of recorded material.

Creative Production of Music 2 (5 ECTS cr)
The course comprises various techniques for the writing of music, harmonies and counterpoint, instrumentation, composing exercises and writing compositions in various styles. Students address themselves more deeply to a certain genre of music of their choosing and write music for this genre suitable for various instrumental groups.

Structure of Studies

The structure of the studies

The scope of the qualification of music pedagogue comprises 240 credit points (ECTS cr). According to the curriculum, one study year corresponds to 60 credits, which in turn stands for 1600 hours of work. The student’s work consists of attending classes, distance and independent learning, e-learning and practice. The studies involve research and development projects related to work and employment.

Methods and implementation

Implementation of training

The preliminary skills and knowledge level of each student will be taken into account in drawing up the personal study programme (PSP; in Finnish - HOPS), by suggesting alternative ways for taking study courses and by tailoring study assignments to each individual’s learning needs. The training emphasizes co-operation and self-direction skills, essential in the work of a teacher of music (AMK). Part of the studies are carried out jointly and by combining various fields of operation, for example, joint productions with dance pedagogy students and students from other departments of the Savonia University of Applied Sciences.

All the staff in our unit have excellent language skills. When required, every teacher can lead their lessons in English, and a few of them can also teach in Russian. If there are exchange students in a study group, tuition will be given both in Finnish and English. Student counselling can be provided in both Finnish and in English, depending on the needs of the student.

Course Table

Course Descriptions

4 KMYY111 Basic Vocational Skills (for Music Careers)