Info in English
The department of popular music offers a two-year full-time education in popular music performance, songwriting, recording and theory. The students will develop their musicianship, and gain competence in project-oriented ensembles, concerts, and studio work. The students will develop an understanding of popular music’s function in society, both in historical and contemporary cultures. The students will further gain knowledge about the music industry and various related fields of businesses. The period of study will stimulate critical reflection and creativity, and serve as a training ground for the musical craft and professional skills.
By participating in collaborative projects at NISS, the student will get to know the same professional groups which she or he will collaborate with as a performing musician; such as sound engineers, students in stage design, production and lightning, actors, make up-artists, etc. The learning that evolves from the interaction between these professional fields can not be found in the same way at other educational institutes in Norway.
Our regular staff has a background in various fields of the music industry, and broad experience in their field of expertise. With their practical experience and educational background they add relevant cutting-edge competence to the education. We see it as one of our foremost tasks to create an inspiring and developing environment which gives both personal and educational development to every single student.
Students completing our two-year course are accepted directly on to the third year of studies for BA (Hons) at University of Wolverhampton (UoW), making it possible to complete a Bachelors-degree after one year abroad.
Programmes of Study
We welcome students in the following instruments:
- guitar
- electric bass
- drums/percussion
- keyboard instruments
- saxophone
- trumpet
- trombone
- laptop
- vocals
Popular Music Course, year 1
Core:
- Principal instrument lessons
- Ensemble groups and popular music performance (live performance / studio recording)
- Music technology
- Ear training
- Harmony (popular music and jazz)
- NISS Preparatory course
- The history of Popular Music
- Keyboard lessons
- Performance preparation
- Impro intro
Elective (choose 2 of 4)
- The history of Jazz
- Sound recording theory
Popular Music Course, year 2
Acceptance to the second year is based on the student’s results, contribution and development during the first year. The student can choose between two curricula: Composition/Production or Performance.
| Popular Music Course, 2nd year Composition/Production: Modules | ||||
| Composition and production | Performance | Ear training | Analysis | Music industry |
| Songwriting Arranging Music technology 2 | Principal instrument Keyboard | Ear training | Style analysis | Music industry and business knowledge |
| Popular Music Course, 2nd year Performance: Modules | |||
|
Performance subjects | Ear training | Analysis | Music industry |
| Principal instrument
Ensemble groups Keyboard Performance practice | Ear training | Style analysis |
Music industry and business knowledge |
Technical Equipment and Facilities
The students have a total of 10 rehearsal rooms at their disposal, 6 of which are sound-isolated and intended for ensembles and bands. These are equipped with guitar and bass amplifiers, drum kits, keyboards and small PA’s. The remaining rooms are intended for individual practice, and are equipped with pianos. Second year students have a digital suite at their disposal, using industry-standard equipment such as a Mac G4 and Pro Tools Mix Plus for preproduction on a professional level.
In addition, concert stage, PC-labs and a work and production rooms are being utilized. The institute’s recording studios can be used in accordance with Sound Technician students. The institute’s facilities are also available to the students outside of regular hours.
Acceptance Requirements
Evaluation of the applicants is based on creative talent, motivation, maturity and musical skills. Pre-requisites for the Institute are co-operativeness and motivation to express oneself musically in accordance with others.
The audition consists of four parts:
- Part 1: Instrumental audition
- Part 2: Knowledge of music theory, musical notation and ear training skills.
- Part 3: An interview.
- Part 4: Collaboration within a group.
Students from other countries are welcome, but all lessons and classes are conducted in Norwegian.
Cross-educational Collaboration
With more than 700 fulltime students and an equal amount of short-term students a year, Nordic Institute of Stage and Studio (NISS) is one of Scandinavia’s largest training centers within stage, studio, film and art education. Students at NISS are given unique opportunities to participate in various forms of projects and collaborations with students from other departments.
If you have any questions, send an e-mail to post@niss.no
