Fields of study in the Composition and Music Technology curriculum are classical composition, electroacoustic composition, audiovisual composition, and recording arts. These independent but the closely integrated fields of study establish a creative synergy that supports individual creative endeavours in each specialist field.
Students can choose from a variety of creative mentors from different fields, who have different aesthetic and creative beliefs. It is not obligatory for students to study under the guidance of only one professor, which means that they can benefit from different creative visions throughout the course of their studies.
Students are not constrained by strict academic restrictions, which is vividly demonstrated by the numerous concerts that take place throughout the academic year offering widely different stylistic preferences from chamber and electroacoustic music all the way to audiovisual performances and symphony concerts.
Studies in classical composition offer the possibility to be guided by recognised Estonian composers and to be immersed in Estonian contemporary music life. The curriculum regularly collaborates with the major national festivals of contemporary music, giving students the possibility to have their music performed by professional musicians and to end their studies with a rich portfolio of works.
Studies in electroacoustic composition and audiovisual composition combine musical, artistic and technical creativity. The sound and multimedia studios offer a learning environment under the guidance of acknowledged professionals. The music-filled atmosphere of the school, the high standard of technological skill and the solution-oriented study process together conspire to create an excellent basis for practical activities. Audiovisual composition aims to integrate the innovative world of visual art into musical thinking. Drawing, photography, video, light and performance are treated in terms of musical parameters and should be seen as an extension of sonic art and compositional approaches. The curriculum includes different subjects and projects in collaboration with other fields of art.
Recording Arts offers the possibility to learn in collaboration with the main national actors in the field: Estonian Public Broadcasting and the Estonian National Symphony Orchestra. What makes Recording Arts unique is the fact this is the only place to study classical music recording in Estonia. During their studies, besides classical music recording students also have the possibility to learn pop and jazz recording under the guidance of the most prominent practitioners in the relative fields, and to work with state-of-the-art equipment, editing rooms and venues.
Owing to the interdisciplinary nature of the Composition and Music Technology curricula, the programme collaborates with different national and international art and music institutions, and every year students are actively involved in several international festivals and workshops. Among these the most important public event organised by the Composition and Music Technology curricula is the COMMUTE Festival that takes place every spring and connects young composers with the professional international music world. The Composition and Music Technology curriculum has a well-established international reputation, as is demonstrated by the guests hosted by the curriculum. In recent years these have included Arvo Pärt, Erkki-Sven Tüür, Chaya Czernowin, Denis A. Smalley, Kaija Saariaho, John M. Chowning, Marko Ciciliani, Pēteris Vasks, Thomas Adès, Joāo Pedro Oliveira, Helmut Lachenmann and many others.
Application deadline for the academic year 2025/2026:
2 June 2025