Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)

Music Performance and Interpretation

The Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Performance and Interpretation is a continuing education specialization (post-diploma degree) aimed at musicians who wish to broaden their repertoire knowledge and enrich their performance skills on their instrument. The programme is also opened to already-existing chamber music ensembles.

Applications deadline: May 31

Structure

The duration of the course is 2 years (4 semesters).

Participants will receive 17 sixty-minute lessons per year from their main instrument teacher. Furthermore, participation to a selection of seminars/activities.

At the end of the first year, students must sit an intermediate exam which consists in performing a 30 minute programme agreed with their main instrument teacher. At the end of the second year, participants must take a final project.

The course leads to the acquisition of 60 ECTS credits, divided as follows:

Admissions criteria

Admission is conditional on:

  • successful completion of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree;
  • the submission of a complete and suitable application dossier.

Costs

The 2-years programme costs CHF 9’500, that correspond to the following fees:

  • One-off matriculation fee CHF 250
  • Semester fee CHF 2'000
  • Administrative semester fee CHF 250
  • Final exam fee CHF 250

Teachers

voice Castellani Luisa, Trini Monica, Zanichelli Barbara, Marcin Habela, Robert Murray

flute Oliva Andrea, Renggli Felix 
recorder Stefano Bragetti
clarinet Benda François, Jordi Pons     
bassoon Meszaros Gabor     
saxophone Camenisch Raphael
oboe Francesco Di Rosa

horn Allegrini Alessio, Monte de Fez Jorge     
trumpet Tamiati Francesco, Omar Tomasoni
trombone Conti Andrea, Enzo Turriziani     
tuba Ghiretti Rino

piano Ashkenazy Vovka, Doallo Nora, D'Onofrio Sandro, Harsch Mauro, Kravtchenko Anna, Naboré William Grant, Kobrin Alexander, Plano Roberto, Colli Federico
harpsichord/organ Molardi Stefano

harp Pollini Lorenza
guitar Micheli Lorenzo     
accordion Skorski Leslaw
percussions Kai Strobel

violin Berman Pavel, Krylov Sergej, Moccia Alessandro, Quarta Massimo, Rizzi Marco, Sahatci Klaidi
viola Gotlibovich Yuval, Rossi Danilo
cello Dindo Enrico, Polo Asier
double bass Fagone Enrico

Admission, enrolment and matriculation procedures

1) Admission procedure - by May 31

a) Fill in the online application form. The online application form can be completed by following this LINK

b) Upload the required documents to the applications portal:

1) Copy of ID or passport;
2) Copy of study qualifications;
3) Curriculum vitae;
4) Motivation letter;
5) Web-link (only Youtube or Vimeo) to a recent video recording of a live performance (high quality) of a 30 minute programme including one or more representative works from their instrument’s repertoire.

The University of Music reserves the right to invite candidates to audition live at the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana in Lugano. Late applications can only be exceptionally accepted if places are available. Incomplete dossiers will not be taken into consideration. The University of Music may ask for further documents (e.g. translations or certificates), should it find any of the documents in the application dossier to be lacking in clarity or comprehensibility, with particular attention to the diplomas.

Access to the applications portal is possible in one of the following ways:

  • As soon as you fill in the application form (automatic redirect)
  • By clicking the link received by email with the pre-registration data
  • By heading to applications.conservatorio.ch and login in with the access credentials provided via email

2) Enrolment

Candidates who are considered eligible will receive a letter of admission and a registration confirmation form by email. This form must be signed and returned both by email (to servizi.accademici@conservatorio.ch) and by post to the Segreteria didattica as instructed in the letter of admission.

Once the letter of confirmation of enrolment has been signed, the candidate is officially enrolled at the University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana for the first semester. Withdrawal from studies will only be possible from the second semester on. Even in the case the student doesn’t attend any lesson at the Conservatorio, all fees for the first semester will have to be paid.

3) Matriculation

Enroled students are requested to come to the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana at the beginning of September for:

  1. Completing the Matriculation, by bringing to the Segreteria didattica the original of their access diploma (or their ex-matriculation certificate, if they have studied at another Swiss University);
  2. Submitting a study plan proposal to the Head of Continuing Education. Students will receive their approved study plan by the end of September;
  3. Auditioning for the orchestra and ensemble activities of the University of Music;
  4. Participating in other scheduled activities.

Qualification

At the end of their studies, participants will obtain the title on condition that they:

  • have acquired all required ECTS credits;
  • have successfully taken the final project;
  • have paid the fees. 

The University of Music of the Conservatorio della Svizzera italiana is a state-recognised university school and is affiliated to the University of Applied Sciences and Arts of Southern Switzerland (SUPSI). The titles that it awards are recognised by the Federal Government according to the law (HEdA - September 30, 2011).

This title is not a professional qualification and does not qualify holders to teach in public schools in Switzerland. 

Regulations

The course is subject to the current Regulations of Studies of the University of Music. The University of Music reserves the right not to activate the course if the necessary conditions are not met.

Extension of the duration of studies: if their main instrument teachers agree, students can submit to the Head of Continuing Education a request of extension of the duration of studies for a maximum of 2 semesters (no semester splits are allowed). If the request is accepted, the University of music will invoice students the respected administrative fees and semester fees. The final exam fee is in any case invoiced only once at the end of the second year. 

Repetition of the final exam: if students do not sit the final exam, or do not pass it successfully, they can ask to repeat it in a later session. Exam sessions are normally scheduled every six months. Students can request to postpone the final exam for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each postponed semester the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee.

Suspension of studies: in exceptional cases, and with the authorization of the Head of Continuing Education, students may request to temporarily suspend their studies for one or a maximum of two consecutive semesters. For each semester of suspension, the University of Music will invoice students only the administrative fee. The suspension request must be sent (by certified mail) to the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.

Withdrawal of studies: if students decide to withdraw from their studies, their request must be sent (by certified mail) the Segreteria didattica, according to the deadlines listed below.

Deadlines: suspension or withdrawal deadlines are:

  • 31 October for the second semester (February-August)
  • 31 March for the first semester of the following academic year (September – January) 

If the deadline is not respected, students will be invoiced for all fees of the following semester.