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THE HELSINKI CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
- the home address of music
Since
its foundation in 1922 the Helsinki Conservatory of Music has been one of the
leading conservatories in Finland. Together with the Metropolia Polytechnic
Department of Music we form a vibrant centre of music in the heart of the
capital city. A significant number of the top Finnish professionals of music
(soloists of orchestras, pedagogues) have studied at the Helsinki Conservatory
of Music. The student body comprises 60 students enrolled in vocational music
studies and 740 students in basic education. The Conservatory employs 100
distinguished pedagogues and performers.
Up-to-date, tailor-made
premises
The Conservatory moved to its current premises in 1999. We are
located by the sea, in the heart of Helsinki. Our purpose-built facilities
include a 520-seat, acoustically superb concert hall, a multifunctional chamber
music hall and 85 spacious classrooms. The Conservatory is a major concert venue
promoting approximately 200 concerts annually.
A centre of
music
Together with the Department of Music of the Metropolia University
of Applied Sciences (located in the same building) the Conservatory arranges
each year a full programme of concerts, recitals and opera performances. Both
schools of music specialize in classical music. The Conservatory has several
orchestras and choirs.
COURSES OFFERED
BASIC EDUCATION IN
MUSIC
Music Kindergarten
In the Music Kindergarten every child
receives elementary instruction in music and musical skills through positive
experiences. The child's sense of melody and rhythm develops while singing,
playing games, listening to music and moving in harmony with music. In this way
the child is led to develop an interest in music. For age groups ranging from
3-month-olds up to 7-year-olds. Approximately 250 students, no entrance
examinations.
Preparatory groups
Musical training is offered both
in small groups and in individual instrumental lessons for children between the
ages of 5 and 7. The duration of studies is not more than two years after which
a child may take part in the entrance examination to the School of
Music.
School of Music
a) Lower level (ISCED level
1)
Musical training is offered to young instrumentalists and singers
under 16 years of age in solistic study, theory and history of music.
Participating in chamber music, orchestras / choirs is included in the studies.
Tuition is given in individual instrumental lessons for 60 minutes / week and in
theory and history of music / solfège lessons for 45 - 60 minutes /
week.
b) Higher level (ISCED level 2)
Musical training is offered
to those young instrumentalists and singers between the ages of 16 and 20 who
have succesfully completed their studies at the lower level. Tuition includes
solistic study, second instrument, theory and history of music/solfège and
participation either in chamber music, orchestra or choir every year.Tuition is
given for 60 minutes / week in individual instrumental lessons ( 30 minutes /
week for the second instrument). Theory of music / solfège lessons or history
of music take 60 - 90 minutes / week.
Adult education (approx. 80
students)
Tuition is given for young adults ( between the ages 18 - 30)
who want to complement their studies in order to apply for vocational or degree
programmes or for singers who are talented enough for the opera
class.
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION IN MUSIC (60 students)
Upper Secondary
level
Vocational Qualification in Music for students (preferably between
the ages of 16 to 20 years) aiming to become musicians. The duration of studies
is three years and the extent 120 credits (one credit being equivalent to a
student's average study effort of 40 hours). The study curriculum consists of
individual instrumental tuition, solfège, theory of music (incl. music
analysis, writing of music etc.), on-the-job learning, orchestral / chamber
music / choral studies, conducting and elective music studies.
Studies
include learning periods in real working life (on-the-jog learning). These
periods are goal oriented, supervised and assessed (by a workplace instructor).
Skills demonstrations form a part of student assessment. In these demonstrations
students show their vocational skills and compencies at work
situations.
Students who who have complete the Vocational Qualification
in Music can apply for higher education studies (universities, academies of
music). Completion of upper secondary education is considered to be the minimum
requirement for performance in working life. The Conservatory cooperates closely
with the Ballet School of the Finnish National Opera and several professional
orchestras. |
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