Composition and Multimedial creation Department

Composition and multimedia creation department

Komenského nám. 6 662 15 Brno

Profesoři
Associate professors
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Further information

The Department of Composition and Multimedia continues the legacy of Leoš Janáček and his followers in terms of progressiveness, originality and, last but not least, the ability to theoretically reflect on various topics in the field of composition and interpretation. The bearers of this legacy are top teachers, renowned personalities in their fields. As the name of the department suggests, several study programmes are taught here simultaneously – in addition to Composition, Multimedia Production. These two focuses complement each other despite the fact that the current teaching of composition is very differentiated and with considerable overlap – it focuses on „standard“ composition, electroacoustic music, and also stage and film music. The aim of the teachers is therefore to make the most of the synergy of the different specialisations under the auspices of one department. Closer cooperation of all disciplines with sound engineers – students of the Audio Engineering programme (together with the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication Technologies of Brno University of Technology) – is then a kind of logical culmination of the process of comprehensive teaching of students.

The Composition study programme is divided into three specialisations – Composition, Electroacoustic Music Composition and Composition of Stage and Film Music. The actual structure of the curriculum is based on the most recent tendencies of contemporary concert acoustic and electroacoustic music as well as stage and film music, using state-of-the-art equipment, suitable for both demonstrative teaching and experimentation (e.g. conversion of visual and haptic parameters into sound, realization of graphic scores, research into microinterval tuning, interactive electronic systems, application of multichannel reproduction, use of ambient sound recordings – so-called field recording, etc.).

All of these fields can be taken as a five-year Master’s degree followed by a PhD, with only Multimedia Composition being divided into Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.

In addition to top-notch teachers, the department has its own school theatre, a professional recording studio and rich equipment for the study of electroacoustic music; the department also cooperates with many top institutions (e.g. Institute of Sonology, HAMU, FAMU, etc.); in cooperation with the National Theatre Brno, students even have the opportunity to compose new operas.

In the teaching of all disciplines of the KKDR, emphasis is always placed on practical verification of the acquired knowledge in individual disciplines – through the creation and public presentation of compositions for different instrumental ensembles, including electroacoustic music and incidental music, the creation of chamber operas, the realization of multimedia projects, the participation of students in various interdisciplinary projects, etc. All students also have access to a wide range of personal specialisation courses, including management courses. The Department is regularly visited by outstanding personalities from abroad, and within the framework of European and global mobility projects, students can complete part of their studies at foreign universities.

Talent counselling

Details about the Talent Counselling Centre can be found on the JAMUj.cz website

History of the Department

The Department of Composition and Multimedia continues the long-standing activities of the Department of Composition, Conducting and Opera Direction and strives to continue to deepen the legacy of Leoš Janáček. It was Jan Janáček who once tried to establish a music academy in the Moravian capital, but it was not until 1947 that the second Czech art college was founded – JAMU – after the Prague HAMU. From 1957 the Opera Studio of the JAMU was part of the school, and from 1965 the Studio of Contemporary Music, which was to be a kind of its musical analogue, i.e. an experimental music laboratory (to this day, it presents compositions by teachers and students, and in addition to concerts, lectures and workshops on contemporary music, etc.). Since 2008, the Multimedia Composition course has also been taught.  JAMU has a newly built Theatre at Orlí (the so-called Musical Drama Laboratory), the JAMU Publishing House, which publishes monographic collections and theoretical studies, a multimedia library, etc. All of this is related to the Department of Composition and Multimedia Production, because in addition to staged classical and new operas, multimedia works and multi-channel electronic music are premiered at the Orlí Theatre. The JAMU Publishing House publishes not only professional publications by teachers, but also doctoral theses by students of the department. Every year, the Faculty of Music, in cooperation with the KKDR, organizes a contemporary music festival called Meeting of New Music+ and a music-theoretical conference called JAMUSICA. In 2013-2015, the three editions of the previous version of this conference, called MUSICA NOVA, were devoted to the issues of electroacoustic music, improvisation, experimental musical instruments, etc. The reason for this was, among other things, the decades-long tradition of this kind of work at the department, which is associated with e.g. It is also associated with the name of composer, promoter of computer-aided algorithmic composition and chairman of the Society for EAH Rudolf Růžička, who participated in the creation of the first Czech program for computer-aided composition and used it in a number of award-winning compositions abroad, composer, multi-instrumentalist and author of a number of publications on electroacoustic music Daniel Forró, composer and teacher Michal Košut, etc. In recent years, pedagogue Jiří Suchánek organised a concert series of multi-channel electroacoustic music called SONIX, presenting compositions by composers from a number of European countries, the dramaturgy and organisation of which was subsequently taken over by Otto Wanke from the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien. Thanks to the head of the department, Dan Dlouhy, who also teaches at the Percussion Department, the KKMT has a superior connection to this instrumental area (every two years the Percussion Department organises a Percussion Festival with a series of workshops and concerts with international top participation, which can be very inspiring for aspiring composers, as well as conductors and multimedia artists). The teachers of composition were and are top Czech composers and in most cases also theoreticians in the field of contemporary music, representatives of the so-called „Brno school of composition“ – e.g. Jan Kapr, Zdeněk Zouhar, Miloslav Ištván, Alois Piňos, Arnošt Parsch , Leoš Faltus, Miloš Štědroň, František Emmert, Jaroslav Št’astný and others.

Graduates of the department are successful professionals in our and foreign cultural life. Let us mention just a few: Ivo Medek – former rector and current vice-rector of JAMU, JAMU teacher Leoš Faltus – former vice-rector of JAMU and former teacher, Vít Zouhar – vice-rector of UPOL Olomouc, Petr Kofroň – former artistic director of the National Theatre and the State Opera Prague, Markéta Dvořáková – chairwoman of the Creative Centre Ostrava, JAMU teacher, Martin Dohnal – former dramaturge of the Mahen Theatre, etc.

Profile of graduates of the Composition study programme

Graduate profile of the specialization Composition

The aim is to prepare graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and general competences.

Knowledge:

  • is informed about various styles of the so-called contemporary classical music of the beginning,
  • has an in-depth knowledge of the instrumental possibilities of musical instruments and various ensembles,
  • knowledge of the principles of synthetic sound production,
  • demonstrates knowledge of the technology and equipment for post-production and presentation of outputs,
  • is informed about music history, aesthetics and the development of artistic movements, including an orientation to foreign literature,
  • by acquiring comprehensive knowledge at the level of the contemporary state of knowledge in the field, he/she is prepared for original use and development of ideas, attitudes and creative activity,
  • is informed about the possibilities of creative or theoretical overlap with other disciplines,
  • is acquainted with the principles of pedagogical work and has a detailed orientation in contemporary trends in the teaching methodology of the given field of study, is oriented in the secondary literature, including foreign sources,
  • is familiar with the basic issues of copyright and its use,
  • has basic knowledge of public relations,
  • knows the key financial, business and legal aspects of the music profession.

Skills:

  • Demonstrates high-profile skills in the creation of autonomous works in the field of contemporary classical music of undisputed quality, publicly operable, and displaying features of distinctiveness,
  • is also able to create works using a variety of technological techniques in the field of artificial sound production,
  • he can also compose incidental music for various theatrical performances or films or computer games,
  • is also able to participate in applied work in the creative industries,
  • present an original artistic performance of his/her own or the team’s performance in public, even in an international forum,
  • is able to write, present, document and evaluate their practical performance,
  • is able to theoretically elaborate in the form of a written speech and represent a certain topic in an artistic performance at a professional level using an independently chosen method,
  • is able to independently define a complex practical or theoretical problem and solve it in a creative way using selected theories, concepts and methods of the field, including critical reflection,
  • can effectively use knowledge of the environment and the common professional international vocabulary of the field and the artistic environment,
  • Possess a professional vocabulary including foreign language and music terminology orientation,
  • creative use of office and presentation applications, internet and search engines,
  • can be a flexible member of creative teams.

General competencies:

  • In collaboration with the creative team leader (dramaturg, conductor, director), can choose an appropriate style and genre and set out the means and timetable to achieve it,
  • is able to communicate with the stakeholders of the projects and productions in which he/she works,
  • can clearly articulate the problem, choose and defend their own input,
  • is able to identify in detail the period and genre context of the work,
  • is aware of the ethical dimension of artistic cognition and can take this into account in the work of the composer,
  • in collaboration with the creative team, is able to identify and assert himself in the leadership position of the artistic team, while being able to coordinate the work of the creative team, define the roles and tasks of its individual members while respecting and reflecting their opinions,
  • is able to follow current trends in the field of study and is able to incorporate them into his/her professional development.
  • He/she knows basic psychological rules, can work in a team, communicate effectively with its members and has the ability of structured verbal expression,
  • is capable of abstract thinking, analysis and synthesis,
  • is capable of self-reflection, is open to the views of his/her environment and knows the principles of democratic behaviour,
  • works creatively with acquired knowledge and skills,
  • is familiar with the principles of professional text production.

The graduate can apply himself in the following characteristic professions:

  • composer of so-called classical music
  • composer of electroacoustic music
  • composer of stage and film music
  • music director in the recording of music for radio, television, CD, etc.
  • teacher at all levels of music education (music school, conservatory, college) in various subjects (composition, theory of composition, musicology, history of music, etc.).
  • music dramaturge in theatres of all types and cultural institutions
  • music dramaturge of an artistic ensemble
  • music dramaturg in an arts agency
  • festival music dramaturg

Profile of a graduate of the Composition of Electroacoustic Music specialisation

The aim is to prepare graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and general competences.

Knowledge:

  • is informed about various styles of electroacoustic music and the so-called contemporary classical music,
  • has an in-depth knowledge of the principles of synthetic sound production,
  • He also has knowledge of the instrumental possibilities of musical instruments and various ensembles,
  • demonstrates a thorough knowledge of the technology and equipment for post-production and presentation of the output,
  • is informed about music history, aesthetics and the development of artistic movements, including an orientation to foreign literature,
  • by acquiring comprehensive knowledge at the level of the contemporary state of knowledge in the field, he/she is prepared for original use and development of ideas, attitudes and creative activity,
  • is informed about the possibilities of creative or theoretical overlap with other disciplines,
  • is acquainted with the principles of pedagogical work and has a detailed orientation in contemporary trends in the teaching methodology of the given field of study, is oriented in the secondary literature, including foreign sources,
  • is familiar with the basic issues of copyright and its use,
  • has basic knowledge of public relations,
  • knows the key financial, business and legal aspects of the music profession.

Skills:

  • Demonstrates high-profile skills in the creation of autonomous works of electroacoustic music of undisputed quality, publicly operable, exhibiting features of distinctiveness,
  • can also compose incidental music for a variety of theatrical performances or film or computer games,
  • he is also able to create compositions in the field of so-called contemporary classical music,
  • can participate in applied works from the creative industry,
  • present an original artistic performance of his/her own or the team’s performance in public, even in an international forum,
  • is able to write, present, document and evaluate his/her practical performances,
  • is able to theoretically elaborate in the form of a written speech and represent a certain topic in an artistic performance at a professional level using an independently chosen method,
  • is able to independently define a complex practical or theoretical problem and solve it in a creative way using selected theories, concepts and methods of the field, including critical reflection,
  • can effectively use knowledge of the environment and the common professional international vocabulary of the field and the artistic environment,
  • Possess a professional vocabulary including foreign language and music terminology orientation,
  • creative use of office and presentation applications, internet and search engines,
  • can be a flexible member of creative teams.

General competencies:

  • In collaboration with the creative team leader (dramaturg, conductor, director), can choose an appropriate style and genre and set out the means and timetable to achieve it,
  • is able to communicate with the stakeholders of the projects and productions in which he/she works,
  • can clearly articulate the problem, choose and defend their own input,
  • is able to identify in detail the period and genre context of the work,
  • is aware of the ethical dimension of artistic cognition and can take this into account in the work of the composer,
  • in collaboration with the creative team, is able to identify and assert himself in the leadership position of the artistic team, while being able to coordinate the work of the creative team, define the roles and tasks of its individual members while respecting and reflecting their opinions,
  • is able to follow current trends in the field of study and is able to incorporate them into his/her professional development.
  • He/she knows basic psychological rules, can work in a team, communicate effectively with its members and has the ability of structured verbal expression,
  • is capable of abstract thinking, analysis and synthesis,
  • is capable of self-reflection, is open to the views of his/her environment and knows the principles of democratic behaviour,
  • works creatively with acquired knowledge and skills,
  • is familiar with the principles of professional text production.

The graduate can apply himself in the following characteristic professions:

  • composer of electroacoustic music
  • composer of stage and film music
  • composer of so-called classical music
  • music director in the recording of music for radio, television, CD, etc.
  • teacher at all levels of music education (music school, conservatory, university) in various subjects (composition, theory of composition, musicology, history of music, etc.).
  • music dramaturge in theatres of all types and cultural institutions
  • music dramaturge of an artistic ensemble
  • music dramaturg in an arts agency
  • festival music dramaturg

Profile of a graduate of the Composition of Incidental and Film Music specialisation

The aim is to prepare graduates with appropriate knowledge, skills and general competences.

Knowledge:

  • is informed about the various styles of stage and film music and contemporary classical music,
  • has an in-depth knowledge of the instrumental possibilities of musical instruments and various ensembles,
  • knowledge of the principles of synthetic sound production,
  • demonstrates knowledge of the technology and equipment for post-production and presentation of outputs,
  • is informed about music history, aesthetics and the development of artistic movements, including an orientation to foreign literature,
  • by acquiring comprehensive knowledge at the level of the contemporary state of knowledge in the field, he/she is prepared for original use and development of ideas, attitudes and creative activity,
  • is informed about the possibilities of creative or theoretical overlap with other disciplines,
  • is acquainted with the principles of pedagogical work and has a detailed orientation in contemporary trends in the teaching methodology of the given field of study, is oriented in the secondary literature, including foreign sources,
  • is familiar with the basic issues of copyright and its use,
  • has basic knowledge of public relations,
  • knows the key financial, business and legal aspects of the music profession.

Skills:

  • Demonstrates high profile skills in the production of incidental and film music of undisputed quality, publicly operable, exhibiting features of distinctiveness,
  • is also able to create compositions using a variety of technological techniques in the field of artificial sound production,
  • can also create compositions from the field of contemporary classical music,
  • is also able to participate in applied works from the creative industry,
  • present an original artistic performance by himself or the whole team in public, even in an international forum,
  • is able to write, present, document and evaluate his/her practical performances,
  • is able to theoretically elaborate in the form of a written speech and represent a certain topic in an artistic performance at a professional level using an independently chosen method,
  • is able to independently define a complex practical or theoretical problem and solve it in a creative way using selected theories, concepts and methods of the field, including critical reflection,
  • can effectively use knowledge of the environment and the common professional international vocabulary of the field and the artistic environment,
  • Possess a professional vocabulary including foreign language and music terminology orientation,
  • creative use of office and presentation applications, internet and search engines,
  • can be a flexible member of creative teams.

General competencies:

  • In collaboration with the creative team leader (dramaturg, conductor, director), can choose an appropriate style and genre and set out the means and timetable to achieve it,
  • is able to communicate with the stakeholders of the projects and productions in which he/she works,
  • can clearly articulate the problem, choose and defend their own input,
  • is able to identify in detail the period and genre context of the work,
  • is aware of the ethical dimension of artistic cognition and can take this into account in the work of the composer,
  • in collaboration with the creative team, is able to identify and assert himself in the management position of the artistic team, while being able to coordinate the work of the creative team, define the roles and tasks of its individual members while respecting and reflecting their opinions,
  • is able to follow current trends in the field of composition and is able to incorporate them into his/her professional development,
  • knows the basic psychological rules, can work in a team, communicates effectively with its members and has the ability of structured verbal expression,
  • is capable of abstract thinking, analysis and synthesis,
  • is capable of self-reflection, is open to the views of his/her environment and knows the principles of democratic behaviour,
  • works creatively with acquired knowledge and skills,
  • is familiar with the principles of professional text production.

 

The graduate can apply himself in the following characteristic professions:

  • composer of stage and film music
  • composer of so-called classical music
  • composer of electroacoustic music
  • music director in the recording of music for radio, television, CD, etc.
  • teacher at all levels of music education (music school, conservatory, university) in various subjects (composition, theory of composition, musicology, history of music, etc.).
  • Music dramaturge in theatres of all types and cultural institutions
  • music dramaturge of an artistic ensemble
  • music dramaturg in an arts agency
  • festival music dramaturg

Profile of the graduate of the study programme Multimedia Production

The aim is to prepare a graduate with appropriate knowledge, skills and general competences.

Knowledge:

  • Has a deep knowledge of art history and the development of artistic movements,
  • has a detailed knowledge of the manifestations of 20th century art and its current tendencies,
  • has a high level of awareness of the various trends and trends, genres and styles of the so-called contemporary multimedia production of the 20th century and is able to create his/her own concept in this spirit,
  • has an in-depth knowledge of the principles of artificial sound, image and object creation, is able to create works of art using various technological processes,
  • is informed in detail about creative practices in the field of scenic creation,
  • is familiar at a professional level with techniques from popular production and the creative industries,
  • Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the technology and apparatus for post-production and presentation of output,
  • is oriented at a deeper level in pedagogy and psychology.

 

Skills:

  • Demonstrates advanced skills in creating autonomous contemporary artworks in a variety of forms,
  • Possesses a high degree of skill in applying a variety of styles of 20th century contemporary art within their own concepts,
  • is able to carry out professional projects on an international level, using a variety of technological practices in the field of multimedia creation,
  • is also able to participate in applied work from the creative industry,
  • is able to work as part of a team in the realisation of a performance, concert, film, installation or realisation in a public space,
  • has a high level of professional vocabulary, including a foreign language with an orientation towards professional terminology.

 

General competencies:

  • Can work professionally in a team and communicate effectively with its members, is able to share knowledge, skills, working practices socially,
  • in cooperation with other personalities of the creative team (dramaturge, conductor, director), can choose an appropriate style and genre line and set out the means and timetable to achieve it,
  • can clearly formulate a problem, choose and defend his/her own interpretation,
  • is able to identify in detail the period and genre context of the work,
  • can apply acquired knowledge and skills in a creative way,
  • works well with his/her time, is able to plan work systematically and has a high degree of administrative skills.
  • Masters the principles of professional text production,
  • is able to follow current trends in the field of study to a wide extent and is able to integrate them into his/her professional development.

 

The graduate can apply himself in the following characteristic professions:

  • author of works of multimedia character,
  • author of websites,
  • author in the field of audiovisual,
  • composer of so-called stage music,
  • teacher at all levels of artistic education (ZUŠ, conservatory, university) in various subjects (composition, theory of composition, musicology, history of music, etc.).
  • Multimedia specialist or new media dramaturg in theatres, of all types and in cultural or non-profit institutions,
  • multimedia specialist or new media dramaturg in an arts agency or company,
  • a dramaturg of a multimedia arts festival,
  • multimedia specialist or dramaturg of new media projects in public space,
  • initiator of own agency activities.