The Master’s degree consists of a total of 60 ECTS credits, distributed as follows:

• • Compulsory subjects: 32 ECTS
  • Elective subjects: 2 ECTS
  • External internships: 20 ECTS
  • Master’s Final Project (MFP): 6 ECTS

The Master’s Degree is structured in five modules:

• Instrumental module: this is a practical-instrumental module in which a study is made of the orchestral repertoire in its most important historical manifestations and in which the individual instrumental class can be oriented towards perfecting the repertoire for competitive exams for orchestras.
• Theoretical training module: this presents the study of the history of the orchestral repertoire, and the musical analysis of said repertoire, oriented towards performance.
• Work experience module: this presents the opportunity to acquire work and artistic experience with an orchestra, temporarily taking part in its dynamics (concerts, rehearsals, tours). The work experience will be paid (1400 euros) and will include social security payments as a scholar.
• Optional module: this offers areas to widen the range of professionalising knowledge of the orchestra and which can be personalised according to the student’s interests.
• Research module: this allows the students to acquire competence appropriate to a Master’s Degree, by means of the study of different research methods and techniques, and the carrying out of a dissertation which they will defend in public. 
  

Type of Teaching: classroom-based teaching

One-to-one instrument classes

Collective classes in Orchestral Repertoire by speciality which include a final project of a public concert as string orchestra with a guest teacher of recognised international prestige.

Collective classes of compulsory and optional areas linked to the specialisation of the orchestra repertoire.

Work experience in the Basque National Orchestra, the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra and the Navarra Symphony Orchestra for ten weeks tutored by one of the musicians of the orchestra.

SKILLS

• • Skills

LANGUAGES

• • Collective lessons are taught in Spanish.
  • Individual lessons are conducted in the language agreed upon between the teacher and the student (the teaching staff is international and mostly multilingual).
  • The school offers support for learning Spanish, Basque, English, French, and German through its language programme.
  • Knowledge of English is recommended for bibliographic consultations.

Student selection will be carried out through an online entrance exam involving the submission of audiovisual recordings.

Registration

• • Registration dates: from 15 April to 15 May 2026.
  • Those interested must fill out the registration form and send the following documentation to Musikene’s address or by email to master@musikene.eus:
    1. Photocopy of a valid ID card, NIE, residence card, identity card, or passport.
    2. Academic record, indicating grades and examination sessions for all subjects of the degree required to access official Master’s studies.
    3. Curriculum Vitae.
    4. Letter of motivation and any other merits the candidate wishes to provide.

Exam structure

Candidates must record a video for each of the following exams:

• • Exam 1: performance of a free repertoire consisting of works from different periods and styles.
    • The maximum duration for all categories is 20 minutes. We do not recommend that the duration be less than 15 minutes.
    • Complete works, movements from works, and orchestral excerpts will be accepted.
    • Each piece included in the video must be recorded in a single take (without cuts) and without any editing.
    • The video must show the applicant’s full body and the instrument.
    • Works requiring an accompanist must be performed with a partner.
  • Exam 2: personal interview. Candidates admitted to the exams will answer the questions they receive in the days leading up to the exam

 Deadline for submitting recordings: on 28 and 29 May 2026, in accordance with the instructions that will be provided once the application period has ended.

Assessment criteria

• • Exam 1 (80%)
    • Repertoire-Programme:
      • interpretative proficiency to address technical challenges
      • Variety of styles and eras
      • Suitability for the level
      • Difficulty of the programme
      • Stylistic awareness
    • Technical Aspects:
      • Musicality
      • Phrasing
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation
      • Breathing
      • Intonation
      • Body posture
    • Artistic Aspects:
      • Communication
      • Expressiveness
      • Transmission
  • Exam 2 (20%):
    • Motivation
    • Capacity for artistic reflection
    • Clarity of expression
    • Professional trajectory
    • Academic potential

Panels of Examiners

The panel of each speciality will consist of three teachers, specialised in the disciplines being examined. A specialist from Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (BOS) will also participate.

• • Panels: first call (March) 2026 

Appeals

Appeals regarding the grades obtained may be submitted within three working days from the publication of the results. These will be resolved and published within a maximum of ten working days from the end of the appeal period. Only requests for grade reviews submitted via a formal, dated, and signed written document (including a valid ID, NIE, or passport) addressed to the Academic Management Sub-directorate and sent by email to reclamaciones@musikene.eus will be processed.

Entry Requirements

It is an indispensable requirement to hold one of the following qualifications:

• • A Bachelor’s Degree.
  • An official Higher Degree in Artistic Education.
  • Any qualification equivalent to the above issued by an institution within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA).

The following may also apply:

• • Those finishing their Bachelor’s studies during the 2025/2026 academic year.
  • Graduates from educational systems outside the EHEA, provided the competent educational administration verifies that they possess an equivalent level of training.

Presentation of the degree (or proof of having paid the relevant fees) will be required at the time of enrolment. Students currently in their final year may submit this documentation before 15th October 2026.

Re-admissions

Students who wish to resume their studies after leaving Musikene may request re-admission to the school between 1st and 10th June 2026.

• • Those interested must complete the following two steps within the established period:
    1. Completion of the online application form.
    2. Submission of an audiovisual recording of the applicant with a duration of between 10 and 15 minutes.
  • The recording should be sent to the address academica@musikene.eus.
  • It is recommended to host files on an appropriate service (DropBox, Google Drive, YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) and send the link for viewing.

Important:

• • Applications submitted outside the deadline or those that have not provided all required documentation will not be accepted.
  • Applications will be reviewed by the competent body of the institution, taking into account the available vacancies and the documentation provided.
  • Applicants will receive a reply by email in the second half of June.
  • It is essential that you are up to date with the payment of enrolment fees and any other outstanding payments from the previous academic year at the centre.

• • Results: first call (March) 2026
  • The results of the second call will be announced before 12 June.

• • Orchestral Studies Calendar 2026-2027
  • Orchestral Studies Timetables 2025-2026 (the timetable for the 2026–2027 academic year will be announced in September 2026)

• • Students will have a maximum of four examination attempts to pass each subject, within the overall duration of the Master’s degree (two academic years in addition to the years required to complete the qualification). In cases of serious or incapacitating illness, an extension of one further year of study may be authorised.
  • There will be two examination calls in each academic year: the ordinary call in June (or February for first-semester subjects) and the extraordinary call in September.
  • The assessment of the Master’s Final Project (MFP) will only be possible once all other subjects in the study plan have been passed.
  • The assessment calendar will be published before the start of each respective academic year. The specific dates for the MFPs will be published at least fifteen days in advance.
  • Students must pass a minimum of 15% of their enrolled credits during their first year.

• • Successful completion of these studies will lead to the award of the degree of Master in Artistic Education in Music in the specific Master’s programme completed.
  • Master’s degrees in Artistic Education (MECES Level 3) provide access to official PhD programmes (MECES Level 4

El Máster de Estudios Orquestales de Musikene forma y promueve el perfil de egreso de un músico competente para:

• • Afrontar audiciones de orquesta para la inserción laboral.
  • Desenvolverse con solvencia en una orquesta profesional.
  • Adquirir diferentes roles dentro de una plantilla orquestal.
  • Adaptarse a las dinámicas de trabajo propias de las orquestas profesionales.
  • Abordar la investigación musical.

Teniendo en cuenta el contexto socioeconómico y cultural habitual de las sociedades que promueven y sustentan las orquestas sinfónicas, el alumnado egresado podría desarrollar su labor profesional en una orquesta como:

• • Miembro estable.
  • Personal colaborador.
  • Miembro y/o promotor de orquestas que trabajan por proyectos.
  • Docente, especialmente en el grado superior de Repertorio orquestal.

• • Law 1/2024, of 7th June, regulating Higher Artistic Education.
  • Royal Decree 1614/2009, of 26th October, establishing the organisation of Higher Artistic Studies.
  • Resolution dated 8 May 2015 from the Director of Schools, ordering the publication of the curriculum for the Master’s programme in artistic education for orchestral studies at the authorized higher-level school of music, “Musikene”, of San Sebastián.
  • Certificate of Accreditation issued by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.
  • Resolution of 6 March 2023 of the Director of Centres and Planning, amending the Resolution of 8 May 2015 of the Director of School Centres, which ordered the publication of the curriculum of the Master’s Degree in Artistic Education in Orchestral Studies at the Authorised Higher Centre of Music “Musikene”, San Sebastián.
  • Royal Decree 592/2014 of 11 July, regulating external academic internships for university students
  • Resolution of the Basque Government regulating the recognition and transfer of credits for higher arts education courses taught by the Basque Country Higher School of Music.