Bachelor's Programme in Music, with a specialization in Improvisation Performance

The programme strives to prepare students for a career as an improvisational musician. It is designed to broaden and expand the student’s perspective and ability to reflect on the concept of improvisation and its various expressions. The programme trains students to problematise, critically reflect and implement various artistic projects so that they can pursue their own artistic work. The programme prepares students for further studies at advanced level.

Instruction is in English.

This programme leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music with Specialisation in Improvisation Performance (Konstnärlig kandidatexamen i musik med inriktning improvisation).

The programme, which is offered on an artistic foundation, prepares students for a professional career as a musician specialising in improvisation. It provides knowledge and experience of artistic processes and of various contemporary musical expressions. The components of the programme aim to broaden and deepen perspectives and the ability to reflect on the concept of improvisation and its various expressions.

The programme trains students to problematise, critically reflect and implement various artistic projects aimed at providing the necessary knowledge and skills to pursue their own artistic work. Regular feedback from teachers stimulates development and learning. The programme allows for personal specialisation through elective courses. The programme is clearly linked with the student’s future professional role. This is done through such things as collaboration with the surrounding community.

The Main Subject Improvisation courses are at the core of the programme, with the degree of independence increasing as the semesters progress. The courses include major instruments and ensembles, giving the opportunity to develop both craftsmanship and artistic skills. In Main Subject Improvisation 6, the concluding course, a degree concert is given by the student.

The Artistic Theory and Practice courses include theory and composition, ear training, the freelancer’s world and artistic exploration. The Project Improvisation courses include a number of artistic projects that are connected in various ways with the student’s future professional role. This also includes exchanges with other higher education institutions with similar programmes.

The programme provides opportunities for individual specialisation through a range of elective courses offered by the department. The elective courses are offered in the fifth and sixth semesters. Collaboration and joint studies with other programmes are included in several department courses and projects, including studies within ethics and social issues.

In the Independent Project (Degree Project) Bachelor, students investigate an issue of their choice through musical expression. The course, which runs across two semesters, leads to a report in a relevant format in which the artistic process and investigation are highlighted, analysed and discussed.

The programme comprises three years of full-time study (daytime), each worth 60 higher education credits. Studies on evenings and weekends can occur to a lesser extent.

The programme’s studies are divided into the following courses:

Semester 1
IMP201 Main Subject Improvisation 1 15 credits
IMP301 Artistic Theory and Practice 1 7,5 credits
IMP401 Project Improvisation 1 7,5 credits

Semester 2
IMP202 Main Subject Improvisation 2 15 credits
IMP302 Artistic Theory and Practice 2 7,5 credits
IMP402 Project Improvisation 2 7,5 credits

Semester 3
IMP203 Main Subject Improvisation 3 15 credits
IMP303 Artistic Theory and Practice 3 7,5 credits
IMP403 Project Improvisation 3 7,5 credits

Semester 4
IMP204 Main Subject Improvisation 4 15 credits
IMP304 Artistic Theory and Practice 4 7,5 credits
IMP404 Project Improvisation 4 7,5 credits

Semester 5
IMP205 Main Subject Improvisation 5 7,5 credits
IMP305 Artistic Theory and Practice 5 7,5 credits
KYR125 Independent Project (Degree Project) Bachelor 7,5 of 15 credits
Elective course 7,5 credits

Semester 6
IMP206 Main Subject Improvisation 6 7,5 credits
IMP306 Artistic Theory and Practice 6 7,5 credits
KYR125 Independent Project (Degree Project) Bachelor 7,5 of 15 credits
Elective course 7,5 credits

General outcomes for Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts

According to Higher Education Ordinance (see SFS 1993:100, System of Qualifications, Annex 2):

Knowledge and understanding

For a Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts the student shall

• demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the principal field (main field of study), including knowledge of the practical and theoretical foundation of the field, knowledge and experience of methods and processes in the field as well as specialised study within the field

Competence and skills

For a Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to describe, analyse and interpret design, techniques and content as well as to reflect critically on his or her artistic approach and that of others in the main field of study
• demonstrate the ability in the main field of study to create, realise and express his or her own ideas, identify, formulate and solve artistic and creative problems autonomously and to undertake artistic tasks within predetermined time frames
• demonstrate the ability to present and discuss his or her works and artistic issues in speech, writing or in other ways and in dialogue with different audiences, and
• demonstrate the competence and knowledge required to work autonomously in a professional capacity.

Judgement and approach

For a Degree of Bachelor in Fine Arts the student shall

• demonstrate the ability to make assessments in the main field of study informed by relevant artistic, social and ethical issues
• demonstrate insight into the role of art in society, and
• demonstrate the ability to identify the need for further knowledge and ongoing learning.

The study programme will be followed up and evaluated in accordance with the applicable Policy för kvalitetssäkring och kvalitetsutveckling av utbildning vid Göteborgs universitet (Policy for the Quality assurance and Quality Development of Education at the University of Gothenburg).

Students that, at normal pace follow the programme have a guaranteed seat in the programme. There are two types of guarantee: general and restricted.

Restricted guarantee gives the student a seat in a course, but not necessarily the student’s first priority. The Academy of Music and Drama applies restricted guarantee on the elective courses. However, the student is always guaranteed a seat on any elective course.