ADMISSION TERMS AND ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
first-cycle BACHELOR'S STUDIES (3-year)             

Secondary school exit examination results required for first-cycle studies from candidates:

• who have passed the “new” secondary school exit examination (Nowa Matura):
  at least 30% of the maximum score for the written part of the basic-level Polish language examination on the secondary school leaving certificate
   
• who have passed the “old” secondary school exit examination (Stara Matura):
  at least “dopuszczający” or “mierny” (pass) for the written part of the Polish language examination on the secondary school leaving certificate
   
• holders of IB (International Baccalaureate) diplomas issued by the Geneva-based Baccalaureate Organisation at least 24 points on the IB diploma.

First-cycle programmes are also offered to Polish citizens holding certificates obtained outside Poland that are recognised or considered equivalent to certificates issued in Poland, in accordance with the relevant laws in force in Poland.

 

Programme: COMPOSITION AND THEORY OF MUSIC (full-time and part-time studies)

Specialty: COMPOSITION (full-time studies)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

The examination with consists of two parts:

1. Review of three to five self-prepared compositions and candidate presentation (audio and video recording)

• Review of three to five self-prepared compositions

Candidates should submit three to five self-prepared compositions by 30 June 2020 Music scores should be submitted in an electronic form and uploaded to the dedicated folder of the CANDIDATE ELECTRONIC FILE on the disc the access to which will be provided by the Education and Student Affairs Department to the email address provided in the admission form in the pdf format or in the form of a scan, or photos of legible handwritten scores in an electronic version in the pdf format. On the examination date the Education and Student Affairs Department will provide music scores to the commission.

• Candidate presentation – recording a three-minute film on the subject “My motivation for studying composition. An attempt at self-reflection”

2. Test of the candidate’s professional aptitude as regards ear training and harmony

The examination will be performed through the Moodle platform, and will begin on 7 July 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.

Specialty: THEORY OF MUSIC (full-time and part-time studies)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

The examination with consists of two parts:

1. Exam on music literature and music forms as well as candidate presentation (written assignment and audio and video recording)

• Written assignment on music literature and music forms

Candidates will be given 3 subjects which cover in a synthetic way issues of music literature and music forms. Candidates will be asked to choose one of the three proposed subjects. The subjects will be revealed by email on the exam date at 11:00 a.m. The date of uploading the finished assignments to the dedicated folder of the CANDIDATE ELECTRONIC FILE the access to which will be provided by the Education and Student Affairs Department to the email address provided in the admission form will expire on the same day at 4 p.m.

Editorial and technical requirements for the assignments:

- volume: 5 pages with bibliography and graphic examples, if needed
- font: Times New Roman size 12
- line spacing: 1.5 lines
- margins: approx. 2 cm
- format: any text file: .doc, .docx, Open Office or .pdf, photo of a handwritten assignment (we accept handwritten assignment in the event of technical problems)

• Candidate presentation – recording a three-minute film on the subject “My motivation for studying theory of music. An attempt at self-reflection”.

2. Test of the candidate’s professional aptitude as regards ear training and harmony

The examination will be performed through the Moodle platform, and will begin on 7 July 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.

Specialty: MUSIC THERAPY (full-time studies)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

The examination with consists of two stages:

STAGE I: core subjects

1. Professional aptitude assessment (written assignment and audio and video recording)

• Written assignment on music therapy.

Candidates will be given 3 subjects on music therapy.

Candidates will be asked to choose one of the three proposed subjects. The subjects will be revealed by email on the exam date at 09:00 a.m. The date of uploading the finished assignments to the dedicated folder of the CANDIDATE ELECTRONIC FILE the access to which will be provided by the Education and Student Affairs Department to the email address provided in the admission form will expire on the same day at 11 a.m.

Editorial and technical requirements for the assignments:

- volume: 3 pages
- font: Times New Roman size 12
- line spacing: 1.5 lines
- margins: approx. 2 cm
- format: any text file: .doc, .docx, Open Office or .pdf

• Recording a three-minute film “Why do I wish to study music therapy? Motivations, interests, experiences”.

2. Test examination in general knowledge of music

Candidates will receive an email with a test in general knowledge of music covering issues of the history of music and music rules. The test will be sent on the day of the examination, i.e. 7 July 2020 at 11.30 a.m. The date of uploading the completed test in the dedicated folder of the CANDIDATE ELECTRONIC FILE the access to which will be provided by the Education and Student Affairs Department to the email address provided in the admission form will expire on the same day at 1:30 p.m.

STAGE II: supplementary subjects

Audio and video recording of two previously prepared pieces on an instrument of choice and any vocal piece (solo or with the accompaniment of an instrument)

 

Programme: CONDUCTING (FULL-TIME STUDIES)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

The examination with consists of two parts:

1. Conducting a classical symphony of choice and candidate presentation (audio and video recording)

• Conducting a classical symphony of choice

Candidates should conduct with an accompaniment of a piano or an audio recording.

• Candidate presentation – recording a three-minute film on the subject “My motivation for studying conducting. An attempt at self-reflection”.

2. Test of the candidate’s professional aptitude as regards ear training and harmony

The examination will be performed through the Moodle platform, and will begin on 7 July 2020 at 9:00 a.m. and end at 11:00 a.m.

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Programme: INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMANCE
(FULL-TIME STUDIES AND THE ENGLISH DIVISION)

and

Programme: JAZZ AND STAGE PERFORMANCE MUSIC
(FULL-TIME STUDIES AND THE ENGLISH DIVISION)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

Instrumental performance exam (audio and video recording)

presentation of a programme covering, in the case of Instrumental Performance, pieces from various epochs and in diverse music styles, and for Jazz and Stage Performance Music – the classical and the jazz part.

The recording constituting the basis of the artistic performance part of the examination must meet the following conditions:

- the audio and video recording must present the instrument and the candidate's face
- recordings without a pianist are permitted
- the recording prepared by the candidate may come

from the examination at a second-degree music school, a concert or be prepared in other conditions

- the recording must not be subjected to any form of audio processing or editing
- it is permitted to record the respective components (parts) of the programme separately. The technical quality of the recording will not be subject to evaluation.

In the case of the English Division, the entrance examination is held in the English language.

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Programme: VOCAL PERFORMANCE (FULL-TIME STUDIES AND THE ENGLISH DIVISION)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination

Solo singing (two-part examination)

Part 1. The commission evaluates the recording of a single piece performed by the candidate.
Part 2. The commission evaluates the recording of two varied pieces performed by the candidate – an Baroque or Classical aria (arietta) or a Romantic song.

The recording constituting the basis of the artistic performance part of the examination must meet the following conditions:

- the audio and video recording must present the whole figure of the candidate
- the pieces must be performed from memory, with the accompaniment of a piano (or other background music), alternatively a cappella
- the recording prepared by the candidate may come from examination at a state music school, a concert or be prepared in other conditions
- the recording must not be subjected to any form of audio processing or editing.

The recording may not be older than September 2019. The technical quality of the recording will not be subject to evaluation.

Candidates who will need accompaniment should state so clearly.

In such case a pianist (an employee of the Vocal Faculty of AMKL) will contact the candidate and, taking into consideration his/her instructions as to the rhythm, articulation, dynamics and tempo – prepared a recording of the piano background music.

After announcing the point scores for Part 1 and 2 (Stage 1 of the entrance examination), candidates qualified for the subsequent stages should arrange access to a stable Internet connection and a room where they would be able to freely talk and sing during the online conversation with the Academy – on 8 July starting from 10:00 a.m. A detailed schedule of examination hours for each candidate will be provided on an ongoing basis. In justified cases oral examination hours can be adjusted to the candidate’s possibilities.

Ear training and a test of knowledge on the chosen programme will be carried out through the Google Meet platform after the candidate is assigned with an individual email address within the amkl.edu.pl domain. The commission will evaluate knowledge and skills imparted at second-degree music schools.

Admission interview will be carried out through the Google Meet platform after the candidate is assigned with an individual email address within the amkl.edu.pl domain. The commission will evaluate the candidate’s cultural knowledge.

In the case of the English Division, the entrance examination is held in the English language.

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Programme: ART EDUCATION IN THE FIELD OF MUSICAL ART (FULL-TIME STUDIES)
Specialty: MUSIC EDUCATION WITH ENSEMBLE DIRECTION

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination – audio and video recordings

• presentation of manual skills (executing duple, triple and quadruple metre patterns in 4-bar sections)
• presentation of vocal skills (performing a song with his/her own instrumental accompaniment)
• self-presentation (the candidate’s speech – 2-3 minutes on his/her music experience and motivation

for studying the given programme and field, including his/her interests)

 It is required to record separately each element of the examination (presentation of manual skills, presentation of vocal skills, self-presentation).

Specialty: CHORAL CONDUCTING

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination – audio and video recordings

• conducting – two pieces in different styles, including at least one for an a cappella choir (simple polyphonic form by composers

of the Renaissance or Baroque and a choir piece by a composer of the Romanticism epoch)

• presentation of vocal skills (performing a cappella two pieces in different styles)
• self-presentation (the candidate’s speech – 2-3 minutes on his/her music experience and motivation for studying the given programme and field, including his/her interests)

It is required to record separately each element of the examination (conducting, presentation of vocal skills, self-presentation). Choir pieces can be presented with a piano accompaniment, audio recording or with the simultaneous vocal performance of the melodic line

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Programme: CHURCH MUSIC (FULL-TIME STUDIES)

- knowledge as taught in 2nd degree music school
- competitive entrance examination – audio and video recordings

• performing a programme on the organ or piano (instrument of choice, in both cases it is obligatory to perform at least two pieces, including a polyphonic form – presentation time: 10-20 minutes)
• presentation of the prepared accompaniment for the song selected by the candidate
• presentation of vocal skills (performing a song or a chorale)
• self-presentation (the candidate’s speech – 2-3 minutes on his/her music experience and motivation for studying church music, previous experience in liturgical music
  – achievements or possible difficulties, justification of the concept of the examination repertoire, including the accompaniment)

 It is required to record separately each element of the examination (playing the organ/piano, presentation of the accompaniment, presentation of vocal skills, self-presentation).

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♦ DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION ♦
IN THE 2020/2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

Programme: Instrumental Performance
Level: first-cycle studies (full-time)

Piano

• J. S. Bach – Preludium and Fuga z Das Wohltemperierte Klavier or Toccata
• One part of a classical sonata (sonata allegro)
• F. Chopin – one virtuoso étude
• F. Chopin – a piece of choice

The programme should be performed from memory.

Harpsichord

• J. S. Bach – Prelude and Fugue,
• D. Scarlatti – two sonatas (or a piano étude: Moszkowski, Chopin, Liszt, etc.)
• Classical sonata movement I and II (or J.S. Bach – Partita or Suite)
• A piece of choice

During the practical examination, the candidates may play prepared pieces on a harpsichord, a piano or an organ.

Organ

• Prelude and Fugue or Toccata and Fugue by J. S. Bach D. Buxtehude, V. Lübeck or N. Bruhns
• A 19th-, 20th- or 21-century piece of choice

The maximum duration of the programme: 35 minutes

Baroque violin, Baroque viola

• Two solo pieces for violin or viola
• Two abasso continuo sonatas (can be performed without basso continuo)

The programme may be performed on a contemporary instrument.
The academy does not provide its students with Baroque instruments, whether for examination purposes or the education process.

Baroque cello

• J. S. Bach: Prelude from one of the Suites for cello solo BWV 1007–1010 (I–IV) (candidate’s choice)
• Cello sonata from the first half of the 18th century
• Étude by J. L. Duport (candidate's choice)

The programme may be performed on the modern cello with the use of the modern bow. The academy does not provide its students with Baroque instruments, whether for examination purposes or the education process.

Viola da gamba

• Two cyclical pieces in different styles, or their selected parts (approx. 20-30 minutes)

The programme may be performed on the modern cello or double bass.

Recorder

• Baroque sonata or suite with basso continuo (can be performed without basso continuo)
• A piece for solo recorder (candidate's choice)

Flauto traverso

• An étude or solo piece of choice
• Baroque sonata or suite
• A piece with accompaniment of choice

The programme may be performed on the modern recorder or any other wooden wind instrument.

Baroque oboe

• Baroque sonata
• A piece of choice

The programme may be performed on the modern oboe or recorder.

Lute

• A programme of the choice of the candidates playing the lute (Renaissance lute, Baroque lute, theorbo, archlute) (approx. 10 minutes)

The programme for candidates playing the classical guitar:

• A programme of the choice of the candidates consisting of the transcriptions of pieces composed for the Renaissance lute and/or vihuela and/or gallichone (e.g. Brescianello Sonata) (approx. 10 minutes)

The  programme may be performed from score or from memory.
 

Violin

• An étude or capriccio
• One part of a J. S. Bach Sonata or Partita for solo violin
• The first part of a violin concerto (the required duration of the recording: 5 minutes)

The recording may be performed without a pianist's participation.

Viola

• An étude or capriccio
• Two contrasting parts of sonatas or suites by J. S. Bach or G. P. Telemann

The recording may be performed without a pianist's participation.

Cello

• An étude or capriccio
• J. S. Bach - a prelude or two contrasting parts of a solo suite
• The first part of a concerto (exposure)

The recording may be performed without a pianist's participation.

Double bass

• An étude or capriccio
• The first part of a concerto

The recording may be performed without a pianist's participation.

Guitar

• Presentation of a 30-minute solo programme (without cuts) consisting of at least two contrasting parts of a sonata or suite form any epoch or variations and a programme of the choice of the candidate

Harp

• Two contrasting parts of a sonata or concerto
• A virtuoso piece of choice

The duration of the recording: 20 minutes

Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone​

• Two pieces of choice or their contrasting parts ( a concert, sonata or other cyclical form)

The maximum duration of the programme: 15 minutes
The recording may be performed without accompaniment.
It is not required to perform the programme from memory.

Trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba,  euphonium

• Two pieces of choice or their contrasting parts ( a concert, sonata or other cyclical form)

The maximum duration of the programme: 15 minutes
The recording may be performed without accompaniment.
It is not required to perform the programme from memory.

Percussion instruments

• A programme of choice consisting of études or solo pieces for a snare drum, kettledrums, marimba or vibraphone.

If due to the COVID-19 pandemic the candidates could not practice playing certain instruments, the academy provides for the possibility to accept any repertoire chosen by the candidate.

It is not required to perform the programme from memory.

Accordion

• A polyphonic (polyphonising) piece
• A piece of choice (original) or a part of other cyclical form

The maximum duration of the programme: 15 minutes.
It is not required to perform the programme from memory.

 

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Programme: Instrumental Performance
Level: first-cycle studies (part-time)

Piano

• J. S. Bach – Prelude and Fugue from Das Wohltemperierte Klavier or Toccata
• One part of a classical sonata (sonata allegro)
• One virtuoso étude
• A piece of choice

The programme should be performed from memory.
 

For the instruments (specialties) listed below, the programme and requirements are the same as in the case of the full-time first-cycle studies.

• Harpsichord
• Organ
• Baroque violin, Baroque viola
• Baroque cello
• Viola da gamba
• Recorder
• Flauto traverso
• Baroque oboe
• Lute
• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double bass
• Guitar
• Harp
• Flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, saxophone​
• Trumpet, horn, trombone, tuba, euphonium
• Percussion instruments
• Accordion

 

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DETAILED REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTRANCE EXAMINATION
IN THE 2020/2021 ACADEMIC YEAR

Programme: Jazz and Stage Music
Level: first-cycle studies (full-time)

Piano

Part one – classical

• Prelude and Fugue from Das Wohltemperierte KlavierJ.S. Bach
• Any piano piece created in or before the 19th century, with a duration of at least 5 minutes

Part 2 – jazz

• The jazz standard All the things you are performed with improvised parts, performed by a piano, double bass and percussion trio or solo
• A composition in any style performed by a piano, double bass and percussion trio or solo

Recorder, clarinet

Part one – classical

• Two études: cantilena and technical

Part 2 – jazz

• Three jazz standards of choice performed with at least one with accompaniment

Saxophone

Part one – classical

• Two études: cantilena and technical

Part 2 – jazz

• Three jazz standards of choice performed with at least one with accompaniment

Trumpet

Part one – classical

• One étude with varying technical characteristics
• A concert piece considered a trumpet classic, with the piano accompaniment or solo

Part 2 – jazz

• Two jazz standards of choice performed with the accompaniment of a rhythm section or solo

Trombone

Part one – classical

• One étude with varying technical characteristics
• A concert piece considered a trombone classic, with the piano accompaniment or solo

Part 2 – jazz

• Two jazz standards of choice performed with the accompaniment of a rhythm section or solo

Guitar

• The jazz standard All the things you are performed with improvised parts
• A composition in any style performed by a guitar, double bass and percussion trio or solo

Bass guitar

• Two jazz standards of choice performed by a piano, double bass and percussion trio or solo

Double bass

Part one – classical

• One étude with varying technical characteristics

Part 2 – jazz

• Two jazz standards of choice performed by a piano, double bass and percussion trio or solo

Percussion

Part one – classical

• One étude for snare drum based on the rudimental technique

Part 2 – jazz

• One composition in any style performed by a piano, double bass and percussion trio or solo
   

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Programme: Jazz and Stage Music
Level: first-cycle studies (part-time)

For the instruments (specialties) listed below, the programme and requirements are the same as in the case of the full-time first-cycle studies.

• Piano
• Recorder
• Clarinet
• Organ
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Guitar
• Bass guitar
• Double bass
• Percussion