Applying for the pop/rock music secondary subject module, February 2nd – 28th, 2023
Apply for the pop/rock music secondary subject module.
Students at the Sibelius Academy of Uniarts Helsinki may apply for a two-year secondary subject module in writing and producing pop/rock music (25–30 cr). This module is intended for composers, songwriters and producers oriented towards pop/rock music styles who are at an advanced level in terms of their artistic vision and skills. The module is intended for master’s level students.
The teacher for pop/rock composing and producing is Professor Sean Holt from the Thornton School of Music. He is a producer, musician and composer who has worked with artists such as Bruno Mars, Michael Bublé, Carlos Santana, Mary J. Blige and Slash.
The secondary subject module involves writing and co-writing music, producing music, studying jazz rhythms, studio work, elective and individually agreed courses and a performance together with other students on the course.
Intensive periods with Sean Holt in the composing and producing course will be held on 8th – 10th August 2023 and on 2nd – 5th January 2024. The remainder of Sean Holt’s course will mainly consist of remote teaching.
Application instructions
Submit a freeform application including these details:
- Why do you want to take this module? What value would taking this module add to your studies, to your artistic work and your development as a composer, a songwriter and/or a producer? Briefly describe your artistic work.
- Include 3 to 5 samples of your musical output in pop/rock styles. Your application must state what your role in these samples is (composer, arranger, producer, instrumentalist, singer, etc.). Submit your samples as attachments (mp3) and/or links to previously published materials.
Enter the year when you began your studies and your current credit total in your application.
Application period
2nd February to 23.59 (UTC +2) on 28th February 2023. Send your application, which must be in English, to: aija.puurtinen@uniarts.fi. Applications that arrive late or are incomplete will not be considered.
Selection
Based on the applications received, the selection board (Aija Puurtinen, Rick Schmunk and Sean Holt) will select 10–12 active students for the module. The selection will be based on the applicants’ musical skills, motivation and academic performance.
Applicants will be notified in person of the outcome of the selection by Friday 31st of March, 2023. Accepted applicants must confirm with their study planner that they will be able to accommodate the secondary subject module in their degree and must confirm by April 14th 2023 whether they will be taking the module, so that students on the waiting list may be admitted in case of cancellations.
Secondary subject module in composing and producing of pop/rock music, 19-30 cr