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DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

01. Mission and Objectives 10. Fees
02. Academic Programmes and Admission 11. Scholarships
03. Practical Music Classes 12. Support Facilities
04. The Bachelor and Master Programmes 13. Venue
05. Prerequisites for Admission 14. Curriculum Information
06. Admission & Eligibility 15. Contact
07. Teaching /Instruction Methods 16. Application Form
08. Methods of Assessment  
09. Passing Standard  

 

MISSION AND OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Department of Music at Kathmandu University is to:

Give the musical traditions of Nepal a chance for survival by means of study, practice, documentation, preservation, communication, appreciation, and
creative development,

Provide the public and private sectors with students competent in music performance, music studies as well as modern recording media, in order to work in areas concerned with performance, training, preservation and presentation of culture, research, publication, media work, tourism, consultation, international presentation, cultural politics, etc.,

Preserve the traditional repertoire to latest scientific standards,

Encourage and involve traditional musicians and dancers.

In order to achieve this, the department has been designed to work in six different areas:

  1. Academic courses (B.Mus., M.A.)
  2. Practical music classes
  3. Performance (concert tours)
  4. Preservation (sound archive and collection of musical instruments)
  5. Research
  6. Publication and communication (literature, CDs, documentary films)

The British Council, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) at the University of London have collaborated with the K.U. Department of Music, in supporting the academic programme.

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ACADEMIC PROGRAMMES AND ADMISSION 

The practical music classes, the four years Bachelor degree course and the two years Master degree course form the core activity of the department. 

Apart from being compulsory for degree students, performance training in several forms of Nepalese, Indian and Western music is offered also to occasional students.  Summer courses for visiting students can be arranged for.

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PRACTICAL MUSIC CLASSES

These non-degree classes in performance training are taught twice weekly (excluding holidays) in small groups. Monthly fee for Nepalese students: Rs. 1500.- (six months per semester) payable at the beginning of the semester. Fee for foreign students: US $ 100.- per month.

Kathmandu University initiates applications for a student visa. The Nepalese Government requires approximately three weeks to process visa applications.

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THE BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMMES

Degree Requirements 

The degree of Bachelor of Music (B.Mus.) in Ethnomusicology is awarded on successful completion of prescribed courses and project work spread over four academic years in eight semesters of full-time study.  The curriculum is designed to develop an integrated understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music and a basic knowledge of other musical traditions of the world and subjects and skills related to ethnomusicology.

The degree of Master of Music (M.Mus.) in Ethnomusicology is awarded on successful completion of prescibed courses and project work spread over two academic years in four semesters of full-time study.  The curriculum is designed to deepen the understanding of Nepalese and South Asian music and prepare students for fieldwork (including the use of recording media) leading to their own research and M.Mus. thesis.

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PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

The prerequisites for joining the B.Mus. programme are:
(for Nepalese students) successful completion of intermediate or plus two certificates certifying minimum second division marks,
working knowledge of English to read, write and communicate,
musical aptitude.

The prerequisites for joining the M.Mus. programme are:

  1. B.Mus. in Ethnomusicology or degree certifying equivalent knowledge and training,
  2. Reasonable command of spoken and written English,
  3. Musical aptitude and performance background,


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ADMISSION & ELIGIBILITY

Students are admitted to the B.Mus. and M.Mus. programmes on the basis of interest, aptitude and capacity for music study as indicated by their academic records, performance in the interview, and musical experience.

To be eligible for applying to the M.Mus. programme, candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree of four years duration with a minimum of sixty per cent marks in aggregate.

Selection is done through a multi-mode, multi-criteria procedure.  Candidate's academic records, references, personal interview and work experience are considered with differential weightage given to each.

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TEACHING/INSTRUCTION METHODS

Depending on the respective unit, instruction happens through lectures, practical demonstrations with discussion, seminars (students presenting papers to be discussed), practical courses (demonstration and practice of special skills), self-instruction, specified reading, and students' fieldwork with presentation and discussion of results and problems.  Students are encouraged to participate actively during the seminars and lectures, by questioning concepts and expressing views and opinions readily.  The students' critical response is asked for, not passive consumption and reproduction of information.

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METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

Evaluation at the Department of Music is continuous.  The student is evaluated on class participation, home assignments, and final examinations after each semester.  In some courses, students may be assigned term papers and project reports for evaluation.  Depending on the nature of the respective unit/paper theoretical and/or practical examinations and/or assignments are held.  Assignments can be essays on a certain aspect of music or an in-depth work or a practical performance (two to three assignments per unit).  The Department of Music attaches importance to regular attendance of the course work and students have to maintain a minimum of seventy-five per cent class attendance.

At the end of each semester, students are awarded letter grades which represent the weighted average of grades obtained in various segments of evaluation.  Evaluation is done on a four point grade system as follows:

Grade A B C D F
Grade Point 4 3 2 1 0

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PASSING STANDARD

To graduate from the Department of Music, a student must obtain an average of at least 2 grade points in all semesters including project work.  Re-examination will be given to students who have obtained 'F' in a particular course or were absent with good cause during the examination.

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FEES

Nepalese students: Rs. 320,000.- for 4 years  (contact in person for  fees details)
Students from SAARC countries: Rs. 480,000.- for 4 years  (details will provide via email)
Students from other countries: Rs. 640,000.- for 4 years  (details will provide via email)

K.U. registration fee: Rs. 6000.- for Nepalese citizens, 12000.- for foreigners (subject to possible alteration)

Kathmandu University initiates applications for a student visa. The Nepalese Government requires approximately three weeks to process visa applications. Foreign students are advised to enter Nepal on a tourist visa. Applications for student visa can only be initiated in Nepal.

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SCHOLARSHIPS

Depending on external sponsors, the Department of Music grants scholarships for especially promising Nepalese students.

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SUPPORT FACILITIES

The library offers students a good selection of books on musical traditions of the world with a maximum number of publications on South Asian music.  Macintosh computers, and a photocopy machine are part of the equipment.  The department has a large number of musical instruments, many of them for use in class.  The climatized sound archive contains recordings of Nepalese musical traditions – mostly recordings produced by G.-M. Wegner during his twenty years of fieldwork in Nepal – and many CDs for demonstrations during class.  There is also a large collection of LPs with Western Classical music.  Studio equipment includes portable DAT and harddisk recorders, multitrack harddisk recording, digital effects, editing, mastering, duplication facilities for CD production and a PA system for open air concerts.

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VENUE

Classes are held in Chabahil, Ganesh Marga, Behind the Chabahil (Chandravinayak) Ganesh Temple.

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CURRICULUM  INFORMATION

The B.Mus. and M.Mus. programmes require altogether twelve semesters of full time work spread over six academic years.  If not mentioned otherwise, all the courses are compulsory for all B.Mus. and M.Mus. students

Kathmandu University reserves the right to make changes and improvements to the courses offered.  If the number of students willing to take a particular elective is insufficient, Kathmandu University reserves the right to withdraw the elective course for the respective semester.

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Academic Year
The academic year starts on 1st August.  It is divided into two semesters, the second one starting 1st of February.  After each semester there are holidays of approximately one month length.

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CONTACT

Kathmandu University
P.O.Box 6250
Kathmandu, Nepal
Tel.: 0097-1-4479505 and 4488365
e-mail:

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Main | Department of Music | Masterdrummers of Nepal | Course List | CD
Picture Gallery | Short Introduction |
Contact KU Dept. of Music

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