COURSES AT GC PARTNER INSTITUTIONS
Summer semester 2026
Registration via email to globalconservatoire@mdw.ac.at is possible until January 28th 2026.
The Songs that shaped a nation - a portrait of Danish composer carl nielen's vocal music
Institution: The Royal Danish Academy of Music
Study level: Bachelor, Master
Course tutor: Søren Schauser
Course content:
Learn more about the historical and cultural background of Nielsen’s songs through this course that combines asynchronous teaching and 1-2 individual online masterclasses, where you will work on interpretation of a song by Carl Nielsen chosen with guidance from RDAM voice faculty, including Professor of Voice, Eva Hess Thaysen.
Outside of Denmark, Carl Nielsen is one of the most fascinating figures in European musical culture in the early 20th century. In his homeland, a large part of his song oeuvre of more than 300 songs has been known by virtually every Danish citizen, making him extremely influential in creating a unique style of music.
But what is the background of these songs? We will start by examining the political landscape in Denmark after the country’s disastrous defeat to Germany in 1864 that gave rise to longing for national pride through artistic expressions.
We will discuss the benefits and challenges of performing these songs in their original language, studying the music from the performers’ perspective and learning about the experiences of singers and pianists. And finally, we’ll have a look at Carl Nielsen’s controversial label as a “national” composer and at the common critique of such labelling as wrong and abusive.
Dates of the Live Sessions (Zoom):
- March 17, 2026, 16:00-17:00 PM (local time CET/CEST)
- March 31, 2026, 16:00-17:00 PM (local time CET/CEST)
- Apric 21, 2026, 16:00-17:00 PM (local time CET/CEST)
Contemporary ideas in music education
Institution: The Royal College of Music, London
Study level: Master
Course tutor: Dr Mary Stakelum
Course content:
This module is for performers and composers who want to develop their critical understanding of contemporary ideas in music education, and explore the impact of tradition and innovation on their own creative practice and that of others.
We will work with ideas from philosophy, sociology, psychology and human geography, and draw on the scholarship of leading contemporary thinkers such as Biesta, Koza, Monbiot, Murris, Voegelin and Westerlund.
Topics include World Centred Music Education; Conceptions of Musicality; Rewilding Music Education; Developing the Musician; Soundworlds; Partnership Pedagogy in Theory and Practice; Understanding the Learner: Voice, Agency and Lived Experience.
Dates of the Live Sessions (Zoom):
- February 3, 2026, 14:30-17:00 PM (local time London)
- March 3, 2026, 14:30-17:00 PM (local time London)
- April 21, 2026, 14:30-17:00 PM (local time London)
Music and words
Institution: The Royal College of Music, London
Study level: Bachelor
Course tutor: Dr. Christina Guillmaumier
Course content:
This online course builds on your skills as a communicator about music through writing and speaking. Practical workshops enable students to explore different styles of communicating about music, including descriptive, interpretative and evaluative examples. In this Global Conservatoire module you will study online alongside students from the College’s institutional partners.
Termine der Live Sessions (Zoom):
- 2 March 2026 - 2pm - 3.30pm GMT (local time London)
- 20 April 2026 2pm - 3.30pm BST (local time London)
- 4 May 2026 2pm - 3.30pm BST (local time London)
introduction to musical theatre writing
Institution: Manhattan School of Music
Study level: Bachelor
Course tutor: Andrew Gerle
Course content:
Creating a compelling and memorable musical theatre song requires writers to master a breadth of skills: music theory, harmonic and melodic techniques, vocal composition, dramaturgy and playwriting. Students will analyze songs from the Broadway canon and write music and lyrics for two original songs of their own that are active and actable, and satisfying both musically and dramatically. This class is aimed at students from different backgrounds, but with a prerequisite of basic theory and harmony, and at least rudimentary piano skills.
Dates of the Live Sessions (Zoom):
- February 18, 2026, 10:00-11:00 AM (local time New York)
- March 18, 2026, 10:00-11:00 AM (local time New York)
- April 22, 2026, 10:00-11:00 AM (local time New York)
Improvisation Techniques
Institution: Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Study level: Master
Course tutor: Yaniv Nachum
Course content:
Exploring the art of spontaneous musical creation in ‘Free Improvisation techniques’ This course covers foundational exercises, instrumental possibilities, and advanced methods in free improvisation. Engaging in live collaborative sessions, drawing insights from classical and jazz examples.Develop personalized improvisational skills through diverse practices and examples, bridging theory, analysis, and practical application in a dynamic learning environment.
Dates of the Live Sessions (Zoom):
- February 9, 2026, 17:00-19:00 PM (local time Amsterdam)
- February 16, 2026, 16:00-19:00 PM (local time Amsterdam)
- March 2, 2026, 09:30-11:30 AM (local time Amsterdam) extra session for mdw students
- March 16, 2026, 17:00-18:00 PM (local time Amsterdam)
Important: the live sessions are on campus at mdw.
REGISTRATION FOR mdw STUDENTS
Please register via email to globalconservatoire@mdw.ac.at until January 28th 2026 (name, gender, birth date, mobile number, matriculation number, study field, study cycle).
The capacity of the courses is limited, the principle "first come, first served" applies!