CONTENTS

The Masters Degree is structured in four modules:

• Compulsory Module: this is a practical-instrumental module aimed at perfecting the jazz instrumentalist, and their professional reality. Taking one-to-one instrument classes as its base, these are complemented by Combo classes –which will serve as preparation for the repertoire which will be performed in the Final Masters Concert– as well as classes in Section Performance (Rhythm and Melody). To complement this, practical Workshop subjects are added to these subjects. These will take place throughout the Masters, with important international figures from the current jazz scene.Equally, it includes theoretical/practical subjects specifically directed at the reality of the jazz musician and their professional needs: Professional Development and Recording Techniques. The latter involves recording work experience in the school’s own studio.

• Optional Module: aimed at the practical reality of the present-day jazz musician, taking into consideration the changing improvised music scene in all its facets. It covers subjects such as Alexander Technique and Intercultural Dialogue and new audiences, so it can be personalised according to the students’ interests.

• External Work Experience Module: this presents the opportunity to acquire work and artistic experience via participation in concerts in different music cycles.
  

• Dissertation Module: this allows the students to acquire competence appropriate to a Masters Degree, by means of the study of different research methods and techniques for the carrying out of a dissertation. The dissertation is closely related to the student’s musical project as a performer, in the Masters Final Concert.

METHODOLOGY

Type of Teaching: classroom-based teaching.

One-to-one instrument classes.

Group classes of Combos (quartets, quintets, sextets, etc.), which includes the preparation of a public concert project.

Section Performance Classes (rhythm and melody) to delve more deeply into the necessary concepts for the professional development of the working jazz musician.

Practical classes in Recording Techniques with real recording work experience, which will allow the student to finish the Masters with his or her own CD.

Group classes to achieve the optimum professional development of the student.

Practical workshops with internationally renowned guests.

External project, in the form of Combo concerts in music cycles in the Basque Country.

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: Performing and Improvisation, vocal or instrumental.
    • The applicant must record a video no longer than 20 minutes.
    • At least three pieces must include the applicant’s own improvisations.
    • The choice of repertoire and instrumentation is unrestricted.
    • 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.
  • Exam 2: personal interview. Candidates admitted to the exams will answer the questions they receive in the days leading up to the exam dates.

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%)
    • Difficulty of the chosen repertoire and technical suitability for the style
    • Technical execution:
      • Musicality
      • Phrasing
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation
      • Breathing
      • Intonation
      • Tempo
      • Rhythmic precision
      • Posture
    • Technical execution:
      • Musicality
      • Phrasing
      • Dynamics
      • Articulation
      • Breathing
      • Intonation
      • Tempo
      • Rhythmic precision
      • Posture
    • Artistic:
      • Overall language general
      • Integration and interaction with the group
      • Swing, clarity of style
      • Creativity and coherence in improvisation
      • Stage presence

• • Exam 2 (20%)
    • Explanation and understanding of the performed repertoire.
    • Significance of the proposed project.
    • Motivation
    • Awareness of strengths and weaknesses.
    • Ability to work in a group
    • Announcement of results: by March 20, 2026

Panels of Examiners

The panel of each speciality will consist of three teachers from Musikene, specialized in the disciplines being examined.

• • 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

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

ENROLMENT

• • Enrolment will be formalised annually within the stipulated periods.
  • At the student’s discretion, enrolment may be full-time per academic year (60 ECTS) or part-time (in which case, the first year must be at least 45 ECTS).
  • The school will set the deadlines for requesting a modification of enrolment each academic year, which will, in any case, be at the beginning of each semester.
  • Students may enrol in the Master’s degree with an outstanding subject from the final year of their Bachelor’s degree: the Bachelor’s Degree Final Project and a maximum of one other subject. In this case, they must provide proof of obtaining their Bachelor’s degree in order to be awarded the Master’s title.

Tuition Fees:

• • Full enrolment per academic year (60 ECTS): 5,820 euros.
  • The cost per credit in this Master’s is €97 for the first enrolment and €140 for the second or subsequent enrolments.
  • Payment will be made in three instalments:
    • One third upon enrolment.
    • The remaining amount in two halves, one in November and the other in February.
  • If you are a graduate of Musikene, you will benefit from a 15% discount on the tuition fee.

CREDIT RECOGNITION AND TRANSFER

• • Students who have previously completed official Master’s studies may request the recognition and transfer of credits for those subjects whose contents and skills have at least a 75% overlap. Under no circumstances will credits corresponding to the external project or the Master’s Final Project (MFP) be eligible for recognition.
  • To apply for credit recognition, it is necessary to be enrolled at the school.
  • Students must request recognition at the time of formalising their enrolment.
  • The outcome of the requested recognitions will be announced before the start of the respective academic year, and students will have a period in which to lodge an appeal.
  • Accepted recognitions will be added to the student’s academic record, stating the recognised subject and the grade obtained at the original institution. The enrolment fee will be adjusted as specified in the enrolment contract (35% of the cost of each recognised credit).

SCHOLARSHIPS

Exclusive Scholarships for Musikene Students

These scholarships are compatible with the public grants mentioned below and will be awarded solely based on the artistic merits of the applicants.

• • Igartza Scholarship: The Beasain City Council will award a scholarship of 3,300 euros to a student enrolled in Musikene’s Performance Master (Orchestral Studies, Musical Performance or Jazz Performance), selected by a specially appointed panel. The selection will take place in autumn.
  • José Luis Ansorena Scholarship: The Andra Mari Choir of Errenteria and Musikene announce this scholarship-competition, endowed with 2,000 euros, aimed at students enrolled in Musikene’s Master’s programmes in Orchestral Studies, Classical Performance and Jazz.

General Scholarships

• • Basque Government
  • Ministry of Education