Students in the Contemporary Music Department at the Philippos Nakas Conservatory may opt to take a course of intensive study enabling them to obtain their Diploma in four six-month semesters.
This module comprises a series of classes aimed both at broadening students’ theoretical knowledge and at developing their aural skills and technique.
Theory and jazz harmony This course is designed to create a theoretical basis that will remain with the student throughout his/her musical career. Students learn to analyse a range of harmonic progressions, from the simplest to the most complex, and to produce their own compositions modelled on the most celebrated pieces of modern music.
Ear training Students are given aural training using solfège and dictation. The course begins with simple rhythmic and melodic exercises and progresses to basic multi-tonal and atonal melodic models.
Rhythmic ear training This class is devoted to developing students’ rhythmic ability and teaches them to exploit more advanced rhythmic structures and phraseology.
Orchestration Since a knowledge of orchestration is regarded as an essential skill for the professional musician of tomorrow, tuition is provided in orchestrating for both large and small musical ensembles, using all modern musical styles (pop, rock, jazz, Latin, fusion).
Composition The course involves the systematic study and exploration of jazz composition and includes analysis of works by foremost jazz composers. Tuition is given in composition and melodic analysis, variation, motif, harmonic analysis, harmonization, classical and modern styles and techniques.
Analysis Analysis of representative musical works from jazz and blues to bebop, pop, rock and fusion. Students listen to and analyse these works with the help of recordings and orchestral scores.
History of jazz Acquiring a knowledge of the history of jazz is one of the best and most effective ways to approach jazz as a musical genre. All the major jazz composers and players who shaped the course of jazz music are presented during this module. Through the use of audio-visual equipment, students can follow its development from blues to free jazz in the context of the social trends that influenced its evolution.
Introduction to music technology This class teaches the basic principles of the use of technology in music (midi, synthesizers, samplers, computers, consoles, microphones and equalization).
Introduction to theatre and cinema music Students are shown the special methods used in composing music that is linked to an image.
Improvisation practice The course includes study of all methods of scale practice and the analysis and use of chords. Students are initiated into practicing routines that will be helpful to them in their professional lives.
Auxiliary piano This class is designed to meet the needs of students of other instruments, particularly monophonic. Students are taught the basic principles of the modern piano, chords, scales, some simple exercises for the right and left hand and the execution of a few easy pieces.
Music groups The most important asset for any student of modern music is experience as a member of various music groups. The Philippos Nakas Conservatory operates several such groups under the guidance of its accomplished teaching staff. Rehearsals and concert appearances are a crucial part of the training.