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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
Nepalese students: Rs. 3,500.- per month
Students from SAARC countries: Rs. 6,000.- per month
Students from other countries: US $ 300.- per month
K.U. registration
fee: Rs. 3,000.- (subject to possible alteration)
Kathmandu University
initiates applications for a student visa. His Majesty's 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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