Chamber Music (BFA)

Come and study classical music and opera at the Academy of Music and Opera at Mälardalen University at Västerås Castle! You will be studying with some of the country’s foremost music coaches. Under their expert guidance you will have the opportunity to reach your full potential as an instrumentalist and a singer. The teachers have extensive and international experience, both as musicians and teachers, as well as a wide network of contacts within the field. All teachers aim is to enhance every students musical knowledge and instrumental/vocal techniques and skills as well as enhancing and developing their artistic expression towards an increasingly personal and independent approach.

The Chamber Music programme has a clear structure, which gives you a great opportunity to make the most of your artistic talents and to develop as a musician as well as a person. The program offers you individual teaching (Principal Study) in your main instrument and coaching in chamber music, individual teaching with pianist coach, joint classes, performance practice, music theory, music history, rhythmics and movement, lectures by visiting musicians and more. You are given the chance to plan your lessons together with your principal teacher. Individual coaching with your principal teacher has a quota of 14 hours coaching per semester. You will have many possibilities to perform with one of the Academy’s pianists at concerts as well as joint lessons.

Specialisations

The programme has four specialisations, leading to a Degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music:

• String instruments: violin, viola, cello and double bass
• Wind instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon, trumpet, trombone and tuba
• Voice: soprano, mezzo, alto, countertenor, tenor, baritone, bass
• Keyboard instruments: piano and organ

The Chamber Music programme has extensive concert and performance activities, in total around 50 concerts and opera production each academic year, where you will have numerous opportunities to perform. The concerts and production vary from full-size symphonic Gala Concert with instrumentalists and singers to shorter lunch concerts. The concerts and performances are held in different venues, for example at the Grand Hall at Västerås Castle (120 seats), at Västerås Concert House Chamber Music Hall (200 seats) and Great Hall (912 seats), and at Västerås Cathedral (1100 seats).

All of this takes place in a creative and inspiring cultural and historical environment with Västerås Castle as a base. During your studies you will have almost unlimited access to specially adapted practice and teaching rooms at the castle, which is located within walking distance to the Central Station.

Extras

As a student you will have the opportunity of attending dress rehearsals free of charge with the Västerås Sinfonietta (also concerts), the Royal Opera in Stockholm and the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra.

Future and jobs

As a student on our artistic programmes you will have the opportunity of maximising your creative ability and talent, which will be of advantage to you in highly competitive situations. A degree of Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music will also allow you to continue your studies on Master’s level, or for singers the Chamber Opera education. As a singer or instrumentalist you will have a creative and varied profession in orchestras, in ensembles, at opera houses or as a freelance musician.

Auditions

Admission and selection to the Chamber Music programme takes place in the form of an audition.