Doctoral Programme in Composition

Composition Department, Music & Dance Faculty, Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU)

Overview

The Doctoral Programme in Composition at HAMU is a full-time, research-driven course designed for graduates with a Master’s degree who wish to deepen their creative and scholarly practice at the highest level. The programme fosters the development of a distinctive artistic voice, encouraging original compositions in acoustic, electro-acoustic, multimedia, or interdisciplinary formats. Students explore intersections between composition, technology, media, pedagogy, and artistic research, often producing large-scale works, installations, or publications that contribute to contemporary musical discourse. Embedded in Prague’s rich cultural context, the programme combines artistic innovation with critical reflection and professional preparation.

Programme Goals

The programme aims to cultivate composer-researchers who combine technical mastery, creative originality, and scholarly competence. Key objectives include:

• Creative independence: Development of a personal compositional language and aesthetic perspective.

• Historical and cultural awareness: Understanding contemporary music within global, historical, and interdisciplinary contexts.

• Research and methodology: Training in artistic research methods, publication, project management, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• Professional and pedagogical readiness: Equipping graduates to work as composers, educators, or cultural organizers.

• Leadership and collaboration: Ability to initiate and manage complex projects, including performances, recordings, or festivals.

Graduates emerge as innovative artists capable of shaping contemporary music practice and discourse internationally.

Curriculum Structure

The Doctoral Programme spans three years (six semesters) and combines artistic creation, theoretical study, and professional development:

• Doctoral composition and project: Students create and publicly present a major composition or portfolio, often accompanied by scholarly commentary or publication.

• Research seminars and methodology: Coursework covers artistic research methods, musicology, contemporary compositional practice, media technologies, pedagogy, and project management.

• Teaching and professional engagement: Students gain experience in teaching, workshops, collaborations, and the organisation of musical events.

• Language and publication proficiency: Training in English and other languages supports international collaboration and dissemination.

• Final defence: The programme culminates in a public presentation of the artistic-research project and a defence of its theoretical framework.

This structure ensures that graduates combine compositional excellence with conceptual, technical, and professional skills.

Graduate Profile

Graduates of the Doctoral Programme in Composition demonstrate:

• Artistic leadership: A distinct compositional voice and the ability to contribute to contemporary musical developments.

• Research capability: Skills in artistic research, publication, and critical analysis, bridging creative practice with scholarly inquiry.

• Technological and interdisciplinary competence: Ability to work with acoustic, electro-acoustic, and multimedia formats, collaborating across disciplines.

• Pedagogical and cultural skills: Readiness to teach, curate, or organise events and projects in educational or professional settings.

• Global communication and project management: Competence in languages, grants, team leadership, and project planning.

Graduates are equipped for careers as composer-researchers, educators, curators, sound artists, and cultural innovators.

Why Choose HAMU?

HAMU offers a highly stimulating environment for doctoral composers:

• Distinguished faculty and mentorship: Guidance from internationally recognised composers and researchers.

• Compositional and technological breadth: Flexibility to develop works for instruments, electro-acoustic media, or interdisciplinary media.

• Research and professional infrastructure: Support for artistic research, publication, performance, and project management.

• International orientation: Focus on English-language communication and participation in global music networks.

• Prague location: Access to rich musical institutions, festivals, and venues that foster professional growth.

HAMU’s environment combines artistic freedom, critical engagement, and practical preparation, empowering composers to realise ambitious projects and pursue global careers.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate creative maturity, compositional skill, and research readiness:

• Master’s degree in composition or a related field.

• Portfolio submission: Recent compositions, scores, recordings, and a doctoral project proposal.

• Admission interview: Presentation and defence of the project concept, evaluation of compositional and research competence.

• Language proficiency: Adequate English and at least one additional foreign language for scholarly communication.

Selection ensures a cohort of motivated and capable composers prepared for rigorous doctoral study.

Career Prospects

Graduates are prepared for professional paths including:

• Composer-researcher: Creating original works for ensembles, soloists, electro-acoustic or multimedia settings, and contributing to international festivals or publications.

• Educator: Teaching composition, theory, and interdisciplinary courses at universities, conservatories, and research institutes.

• Curator or producer: Organising concerts, festivals, symposiums, or recordings and leading artistic projects.

• Interdisciplinary collaborator: Working across performance, media, film, theatre, dance, and technology.

• Academic career: Pursuing further research or teaching at doctoral and post-doctoral levels.

Graduates’ combination of artistic, research, and organisational skills positions them for leadership in contemporary music worldwide.

Conclusion

HAMU’s Doctoral Programme in Composition provides rigorous artistic and research training in a supportive, internationally-oriented environment. Students develop compositional originality, research skills, interdisciplinary competence, and professional readiness, preparing them to contribute as composer-researchers, educators, and cultural innovators on the global stage.