The aim of the soloist programme is to upgrade the qualifications of the student to the highest artistic level. This means that the student must be able to meet professional demands of the institutional as well as the non-institutional labour market.

Developing and nursing the unique talent of the individual student is central to the programme, which is evident from the organisation of the programme.

Jazz is the main offset for the programme, but we expect you to develop your own style being capable of playing all genres. The teaching is a combination of practical courses that improve your vocal or instrumental skills and theoretical courses, which offer insight into the basis of music. At the same time, the programmes place great emphasis on ensemble playing, and through music pedagogical courses students obtain teaching qualifications.   In addition to timetabled classes, the programme may include masterclasses with internationally acknowledged musicians, cross-disciplinary projects, study trips etc.

Main instrument/voice

Jazz/pop-students at SDMK receive teaching in both your main instrument/voice as well as specialised subjects related to your main instrument. During the individual teaching the main subject teacher will focus on musical, pedagogical and technical issues.

General subjects

In addition, a series of general courses will give you a theoretical foundation and help you look at music from different angles than the performing one, just as students at the programme will be introduced to administrative and PR-related aspects of working as a musician. During ensemble training you will learn to participate in various musical contexts, just as the programme as a whole will give you a chance to participate in cross-disciplinary projects.

The future

Graduates from the programme often find work as musicians in bands and orchestras, as performing musicians, as teachers at folk high schools, music schools, primary and lower secondary schools, day folk high schools, institutions of higher education, continuation schools etc., as orchestra, ensemble or choir directors, as heads of music schools, as cultural or musical communicators etc.