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Main | Department of Music | Masterdrummers of Nepal | Course List | CD
Picture Gallery | Short Introduction - 1996 |
Contact KU Dept. of Music

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

01. Mission and Objectives 10. Passing Standard
02. Academic Programmes and Admission 11. Fees
03. Practical Music Classes 12. Scholarships
04. Diploma Course in Music 13. Support Facilities
05. The Bachelor and Master Programmes 14. Venue
06. Prerequisites for Admission 15. Curriculum Information
07. Admission & Eligibility 16. Contact
08. Teaching /Instruction Methods 17. Application Form
09. Methods of Assessment 18. Map

 

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.

Produce competent musicians in all fields of music.

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

1. Academic courses (Diploma Course, B.A., 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 one year diploma course in music, the three years degree courses Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Bachelor of Music (BMus) and the two years Master degree course (MA) form the core activity of the department.

Apart from being compulsory for diploma and 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), either individually or in small groups. Fee for foreign students: US $ 100.- per month (six months per semester), payable at the beginning of the semester. Registration fee: Rs. 3,000.- (subject to possible alteration). Monthly fee for Nepalese students: Rs. 800.- for two classes per week.

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

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DIPLOMA COURSE IN MUSIC

The one year diploma course in music has been designed to help Nepalese music students reach the standard required for entry into the BA course in ethnomusicology. Successful completion of the diploma course in music will be a compulsory requirement for all Nepalese students wishing to join the BA course. Experience over the past six years has shown that Nepalese students need additional training before entering on a degree course of international standard. Students will also be able to develop their skills in practical music and recording technology.

This diploma course presents a broad range of subjects covering not only music, so that after completion students can decide if they wish to become performing musicians and/or music teachers, continue with a B.A. in ethnomusicology or pursue higher studies in another area. The course comprises of two semesters with fifteen credits each. There will be continuous assessment and end-semester examinations.

Entrance requirements: SLC plus successful completion of two years at intermediate level, entrance interview. Registration fee: Rs. 3,000.- (subject to possible alteration). Monthly tuition fees for Nepalese students: Rs. 3,500.- (six months per semester), for foreign students: US $ 300.-, payable at the beginning of the semester.

Exemption from the diploma course will be possible only in exceptional cases. The Head of Department in collaboration with two members of staff will decide after thorough examination if they can recommend a student for exemption and direct entry into the BA or BMus courses.

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THE BACHELOR AND MASTER PROGRAMMES

Degree Requirements 

The degree of Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Music/Ethnomusicology and Bachelor of Music (BMus) are awarded on successful completion of prescribed courses and project work spread over three academic years in six semesters of full-time study.

The BA 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 BMus curriculum is designed to develop an integrated understanding of World musical traditions and subjects and skills required by professional musicians/composers.

The degree of Master of Arts (MA) 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 MA thesis.

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PREREQUISITES FOR ADMISSION

The prerequisites for joining the BA and BMus programmes are:
1. (for Nepalese students) successful completion of the Diploma course in Music. Exemption from the Diploma course will be possible only in exceptional cases. The Head of Department in collaboration with two members of staff will decide after thorough examination if they can recommend a student for exemption and direct entry into the BA or BMus courses.
2. Working knowledge of English to read, write and communicate.
3. Musical aptitude and basic knowledge of music theory.
4. Ability to use personal computer and commonly used word processing software.

The prerequisites for joining the M.A. programme are:
1. BA in Music/Ethnomusicology, BMus 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 Diploma Course and to the BA, BMus and MA 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. Only during the first semester of the first year can students change from BA to BMus or vice versa. In any case, changing courses has to happen before end-semester examinations.

To be eligible for applying to the MA programme, candidates should hold a Bachelor's degree of at least three years duration from KU (or of equal standard), 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

A different grading system for MA is under preparation. Please contact the Dean, School of Arts for details (dean_sci@ku.edu.np)

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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. Reexamination 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

A. MA in Music    
Fee structure    
 
Amount Rs.
Admission
4,600.00
Registration
4,000.00
A. Total
8,600.00
B. Exam Fee
10,000.00
C. Tuition Fee
86,400.00
 (3600 x 24) 
Grand Total (A+B+C) 
105,000.00
B. BA in Music    
Fee structure    
 
Amount Rs.
Admission
5,600.00
Registration
4,000.00
A. Total
9,600.00
B. Exam Fee
15,000.00
C. Tuition Fee
140,400.00
(3900 x 36)
Grand Total (A+B+C) 
 165,000.00

Students from SAARC countries: Rs. 6,000.- (Registration fee)
Students from SAARC countries: Rs. 6,000.- per month (tuition fee)

Students from other countries: Rs. 8,000.- (Registration fee)
Students from other countries: US $ 300.- per month (for Diploma and Bachelor degree course)

Practical Music course: US $ 100.- per month (tuition fee)

Kathmandu University initiates applications for a student visa. Nepal Government requires approximately five to six 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, VCR, 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-four 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 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 Bhaktapur at the Harsha Narayan Dhaubhadel Shivalaya at Chupin Ghat, where the Department of Music found its permanent place in the most peaceful and idyllic setting. Access is possible from Taumadhi Square, Bhaktapur via Gahiti-Lasinkhyah or by road from Arniko Highway (left-turn 300m after previous Surya Vinayak Trolley Bus Park, when approaching from Kathmandu).

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CURRICULUM  INFORMATION

The BA/BMus and MA programmes require altogether ten semesters of full time work spread over five academic years. If not mentioned otherwise, all the courses are compulsory for all BA/BMus and MA 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.

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 Department of Music
P.O.Box 10878
Kathmandu
Nepal
Tel.: 00977-1-6612460
e-mail:

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Main | Department of Music | Masterdrummers of Nepal | Course List | CD
Picture Gallery | Short Introduction - 1996 |
Contact KU Dept. of Music

Asianart.com | Associations