ECMAster | Joseph Haydn epartment of Chamber Music and Contemporary Music

For full functionality of this site it is necessary to enable JavaScript. Here are the instructions how to enable JavaScript in your web browser.

European Chamber Music Master - ECMAster

Information for students enrolling at the mdw as home institution

General admission: 07.11.2023-17.01.2024

3 links (youtube, Dropbox, etc.) of at least 3 movements from different stylistic periods (one of them a slow movement and one movement from the Viennese Classical period or its context).

Admission examination: 18.03.2024

Chamber music has been playing an essential role in mdw’s educational activities for two decades. As one of the partner universities of the ECMAster programme mdw is now offering aspiring young chamber music ensembles a master degree that allows them to experience Vienna as one of the hot spots for chamber music in composition and performance over centuries with the enriching expertise, culture and tradition of two other music institutions during their exchange semesters, which are supported by Erasmus+ mobility funds.

The ECMAster is a two year joint programme on the master level for pre-existing chamber music ensembles. It is operated by seven leading higher music education institutions in Europe in close collaboration with ECMA (European Chamber Music Academy), an association of European music universities, conservatoires and festivals.

By tailor-made curricula the ECMAster enables the students to develop their specific artistic, technical, reflective and social skills and to act as strong, independent and innovative ensemble musicians who can meet the high professional demands in tomorrow’s music scene. The admitted chamber music groups will take advantage of the expertise, culture and tradition of three separate music institutions. During the two years of advanced study, two obligatory exchange semesters at two different host institutions will be supported by Erasmus+ mobility funds. In addition the ensembles will also participate in at least six ECMA sessions and get access to an European network in the profession of chamber music.

Structure

Name of the Programme: European Chamber Music Master

Abbreviation: ECMAster

Scope/Duration: 120 ECTS credits / 4 semesters

Language of instruction: English/ local language if applicable

ECMAster students spend semesters 1 and 4 at their home institution and semesters 2 and 3 at two different host institutions. Exchange semesters at partner institutions and intensive modules are both obligatory in this master programme.

It is expected that the ensemble should spend the two exchange semesters in the respective city of the host institution.

Ensembles accepted to the programme at mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna have the following exchange options:

Semester 1
mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienns (Home institution)

Semester 2*
Potential host institutions: Fiesole, Manchester or Oslo

Semester 3*
Potential host institutions: Paris, The Hague or Vilnius

Semester 4
mdw - University of Music and Performing Arts Vienns (Home institution)

On completion of the admission process the Programme Board will offer a definite exchange plan to the selected ensembles Each ensemble will be appointed a principal artistic supervisor from the home institution and artistic supervisors from the host institutions. It is within the responsibility of the principal artistic supervisor to keep regular contact with the students, to have a full overview of the ensemble’s progress and to act as a contact person for the other institutions’ artistic supervisors.

Intensive modules (ECMA Sessions):

Every participating ensemble attends a minimum of 6 ECMA sessions within the two years, normally one session in semesters 1 and 4, and two sessions in semesters 2 and 3. In semesters 2 and 3, one of the sessions will be at the host institution. Ideally the ensembles widen their horizon of experience by attending also sessions not taking place at their home and host institutions!

* These mobilities could be funded by Erasmus+ Mobility Funds if the students fullfill the needed requirements. More information at the International Office of the mdw!

For an ensemble starting the ECMAster in the academic year 19/20 the curriculum table and suggested electives are as follows:

Recommended courses in particular for the 2019/20 academic year

These are suggestions – together with the prinicipal artistic supervisor the ensemble is free to design a custom-made selection of electives serving their needs best!

Requirements and admission