The core of this course is improvisation based music within African American musical traditions. You should have good prerequisites and preferably have experience of playing in a group. At the Music Course, you have the opportunity of gaining depth and breadth in your knowledge of jazz and other improvisation based music during your two years of study. Apart from playing in different ensemble situations, there are options of studying composition, arrangement, and recording in a studio. Many of the projects are concluded with an account of what has been studied in the form of public concerts. Planning and implementing tours is also a part of the course.
We have a recording studio that you can use for your private recordings. We have five fully equipped ensemble rooms of which three have grand pianos.
THE MUSIC COURSE
Improvisation
In the subject of improvisation the teaching method employed is ensemble jams with an emphasis on the improvisational part. We work with free improvisations, blues, jazz standards, bebop as well as more modern original compositions.
Project Performances
The students get an opportunity to work together and organize a musical project of their own. The projects are spread out over 5-week periods and after each has been finalized, the group constellations are switched around.
The project is concluded with a concert.
Instrumental Development
You will receive individual tuition in your main instrument.
Ear Training
This tuition is obligatory in the first year and is available as an option in the second year.
Training in chord identification, rhythm/melodic dictation, scales and intervals.
Courses Where You Can Choose Your Specialization
You are given the option to select shorter courses in various subjects.
Theoretical subjects such as music theory, arrangement, big band arrangement, jazz composition, improvisation theory or further study of ear training.
Amongst the more practical subjects there is metric modulation, ensemble playing with focus on odd time signatures, practical ear training as well as ensembles with a specialization on a particular musician or composer. Music philosophy course as a forum to ventilate thoughts and share reflections on music.
There is an opportunity of certain tuition in bi-piano if you do not have piano as your main instrument.
Metric Structure
The subject encompasses a thorough review of frequently occurring rhythms within jazz and modern improvisational music along with a deeper study of polyrhythm and odd time signatures.
Big Band
The big band rehearses and sometimes does concerts and recordings.
There is also an option of trying out your own arrangements.
Recording Technique
The school has a studio of its own where you can make your own recordings.
You will receive tuition in recording technique, mixing. You will have access to the studio round the clock.
The Music Course puts together a CD each academic year.,
Vocal Ensemble
If vocals are your main instrument there is a vocal ensemble where you will get to practice choral singing, theatrical performance, vocal maintenance and vocal improvisation.
Guest Instructors
We recieve visits from both Swedish and foreign guests that host workshops. The school is a member of IASJ (International Schools of Jazz), that annually organizes exchanges for students and guest lecturers. Each year we send a student representative to the meeting.
As guests, we have had Steve Swallow, David Liebman Jerry Bergonzi, Marc Ducret, Django Bates, Richard Beirach, Lee Konitz, Gary Thomas, Michael Formanek, Vincent Herring, Joey Calderazzo, Jonas Knutsson, Joakim Milder, Bobo Stenson, Lars Jansson, Lindha Kallerdahl, Fredrik Ljungqvist, Mattias Windemo, Lena Willemark, Gösta Rundqvist, Raymond Stridh, Lina Nyberg, Peter Danemo and many others.
Concerts, Tour
During the academic year we work on a variety of concert projects.
Many of these occur in collaboration with the school’s other culture courses, such as quire week and school concerts.
The year is concluded with a Sweden tour.
Project Weeks
During the year we have a number of project weeks instead of regular tuition.
This type of week could for example involve the recording of a CD, quire week or playing in a trio.
Evening Cafés
The different courses’ students organize café nights every week.
THE MUSIC COURSE FOR FEMALES
The course is a one year instrumental tuition for females and is meant for those of you who already have some experience playing and wish to deepen your knowledge further.
It contains ensemble playing, instrumental lessons, theory, ear training, recording technique.
A large part of the tuition is integrated with the regular music course.
The Music Course for Females puts together 2 tours during the academic year.
ONE YEAR MUSICIANS COURSE
The music course is preparatory for line of work within African American music.
Qualifications required are a 3 year gymnasium education (a form of secondary school) along with a year at Fridhem’s Folk High School’s music course or corresponding experience. The course contains a deeper study of the following areas:
Marketing
How you handle your interaction with media and organizers. Information on different cultural institutions.
Planning a Tour
How to prepare for a tour in terms of booking, finances, handling a contract, travelling etc.
Developing the Repertoire
Tuition in composition and arrangement. Continuous training in ensemble playing and instrumental tuition. Theatrical performance.
The Musician’s Role in Society
What is the significance of music in today’s society? How do reach out to the audience? The course offers lectures by work experienced musicians from the different parts of the music world.
Sound Technology
Tuition in sound technology in the recording studio and live performances.
Internship
The course contains a period of internship.
The music course gives you the option of (CSN) post-secondary study assistance at college level.
The following are teachers at the music courses:
-
Mats Holtne
Head of the courses, guitar, ensemble
Mattias Hjorth
bass, ensemble
Cennet Jönsson
sax, ensemble
Jan Karlsson
bass, ear training, ensemble
Emma Denward
vocals, vocal ensemble
Maggi Olin
piano, ensemble
Olle Grane
recording technique
Claus Sörensen
arrangement, big band, ensemble
Anders Vestergård
drums, metric structure, ensemble
Ola Åkerman
trombone
Loíc Dequidt
Piano, ensemble
Mårten Lundquist
Trumpet
FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS THE FOLLOWING APPLIES
- You will be summoned to a test and an interview. You will receive the exact date and time once you have sent in your application. If you pass, then you will move on to the test which takes two days.
- The final application date is the 2nd of April (the application must be in possession of the school this day)
- You will receive more information about the school, the music course and financial support when you have been accepted to the school.
- In the admissions test we evaluate both your musical skills and your ability to work in a group.
Admissions Test
- The admissions test takes place the 19-20-21th of April 2016.
- VOCALIST: Information on the admissions test for vocalist applicants.
- INSTRUMENTALIST: Information on the admissions test for instrumentalist applicants.
Audition
You will get to play/sing one of the mandatory songs along with a song of your choice.
The songs performed should contain improvisation. The test takes about 15 minutes.
If you have applied to solely the Music Course for Females you do not need take any further tests.
Ensemble Exam - involves note reading, playing by ear, improvisation, a rhythm test. Test on theory and playing by ear - involves general study of music, intervals, chord analysis, and a test in playing by ear.
Interview - you get to talk to students and teachers about the school
Acceptance letters will be sent out and notified on the school’s website the week after the tests
Rejected or wait-listed applicants will be notified through a letter the weeks after the tests.
FACTS
- Tuition is held from the end of August to the beginning of June.
- You must be at least 18 years old and must have completed the 9th grade of compulsory school.
- The Music Course is 2 years long and accommodates a total of 40 participants in year 1 and 2.
- The Music Course for Females is one year long and accommodates 6 course participants.
- Typically 18-25 course participants are admitted each year.
- The Musicians Course is one year long with a limited amount of course participants and special entry requirements, check our website for more information.
- The school has halls of residence with single rooms.
- You have access to rehearsal rooms, a recording studio, music computers, a library, computers with internet and other musical equipment both day and night, even weekends.