Master Programme in Harp

String Instruments Department, Music and Dance Faculty, Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (HAMU)

Overview

The Harp programme at HAMU offers a comprehensive full‑time curriculum designed for students aiming to become professional harpists in solo, chamber, orchestral, and interdisciplinary contexts. The programme spans a three-year Bachelor’s and a two-year Continuing Master’s, creating a continuous pathway from technical foundation to artistic maturity and professional readiness. Students develop virtuosity, musicality, interpretative insight, and a distinctive artistic voice, while exploring repertoire from historical, classical, contemporary, and experimental domains. The programme integrates performance training with theoretical, methodological, and professional development, preparing graduates for careers as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral artists, educators, or interdisciplinary collaborators.

Programme Goals

The programme aims to cultivate highly skilled, creative, and versatile harpists capable of professional artistry and lifelong development. Its primary objectives include:

• Technical mastery: Developing advanced harp technique, finger dexterity, pedaling control, and expressive sound production across diverse repertoire.

• Artistic individuality: Encouraging students to cultivate a personal interpretative style, musical expression, and professional presence.

• Repertoire breadth: Familiarising students with solo, chamber, and orchestral literature, from Baroque to contemporary, including Czech and international works.

• Professional versatility: Preparing students to perform in solo recitals, chamber ensembles, orchestras, and interdisciplinary projects.

• Reflective and analytical skills: Fostering critical engagement with historical context, performance practice, and musical interpretation.

• Career management: Equipping students with skills for project organisation, public performance, and professional self-promotion.

Graduates emerge as technically proficient, musically insightful, and professionally prepared harpists, capable of navigating the demands of contemporary musical life.

Curriculum Structure

The programme spans six semesters at the Bachelor’s level and four semesters at the Master’s level, integrating practical, theoretical, and collaborative components:

• Bachelor’s Programme (3 years / 6 semesters): Focuses on instrumental technique, chamber music, orchestral training, music theory, history, ear training, and public performance. Students build a foundation in solo and ensemble repertoire, learn performance practice, and develop stage presence. Masterclasses, workshops, and student recitals provide ongoing practical experience. (hamu.cz)

• Master’s Programme (Continuing) (2 years / 4 semesters): Emphasises artistic maturity, interpretative depth, advanced repertoire, solo and chamber leadership, and professional project management. Students refine their technical skills, expand their repertoire range, engage in interdisciplinary collaborations, and undertake independent artistic projects culminating in a final concert or portfolio.

• Cross-programme supports: Seminars in music theory, history, pedagogy, career management, and performance psychology complement performance training. Participation in masterclasses, orchestral projects, and international exchanges provides real-world professional experience.

This structured pathway ensures a smooth transition from foundational skill development to high-level artistic performance and professional readiness.

Graduate Profile

Graduates of the Harp programme are distinguished by:

• Technical excellence: Command of advanced techniques, expressive control, and stylistic versatility.

• Artistic maturity: Individual interpretative insight, musical personality, and stage presence.

• Professional adaptability: Prepared for solo, chamber, orchestral, recording, and interdisciplinary contexts.

• Reflective and analytical skills: Ability to contextualise works historically and stylistically, and engage critically with performance practice.

• Career readiness: Skills in concert organisation, self-promotion, education, and collaborative projects.

Graduates are positioned to pursue careers as soloists, chamber musicians, orchestral harpists, educators, and interdisciplinary artists.

Why Choose HAMU?

HAMU provides a unique environment for harpists:

• Specialised instruction: Focused harp tuition tailored to individual artistic development.

• Performance opportunities: Access to recitals, chamber ensembles, orchestras, and festivals.

• International orientation: English-taught options and a multicultural student body encourage global networking.

• Masterclasses and mentorship: Regular sessions with world-class harpists and visiting artists.

• Cultural setting: Prague offers historic concert halls, festivals, ensembles, and vibrant musical life.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Opportunities to engage with composition, dance, theatre, and media projects.

These features provide a fertile environment for the artistic, technical, and professional growth of harpists.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate artistic talent, technical skill, and professional potential:

• Bachelor’s level: Secondary music education or equivalent; performance audition with selected solo repertoire; demonstration of technical and musical ability.

• Master’s level: Bachelor’s degree in harp or equivalent; submission of portfolio of performances; live audition with advanced repertoire; evaluation of interpretative and professional potential.

• Language proficiency: English for international-taught programmes.

• Selection process: Competitive audition and interview assessing technical mastery, artistic individuality, and readiness for advanced study.

Admitted students receive intensive individual instruction and access to comprehensive performance and professional training resources.

Career Prospects

Graduates are equipped for diverse professional paths:

• Solo performance: Recitals, recordings, and festival appearances.

• Chamber music: Participation in ensembles and collaborative projects.

• Orchestral careers: Positions in symphony orchestras, opera houses, or contemporary ensembles.

• Pedagogy: Teaching at conservatories, universities, private studios, and workshops.

• Interdisciplinary collaboration: Projects with dance, theatre, film, and media.

• Cultural leadership: Programming, concert management, and artistic direction roles.

Graduates’ technical skill, interpretative insight, and professional readiness position them for successful careers in the national and international music scene.

Conclusion

The Harp programme at HAMU combines rigorous technical training, artistic development, and professional preparation, providing students with the skills, insight, and experience to excel as musicians in contemporary performance contexts. Through individual instruction, ensemble experience, masterclasses, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exposure to Prague’s vibrant musical environment, graduates develop the artistry, versatility, and confidence to succeed as professional harpists worldwide.