Composition MA diploma requirements

MA Composition

Presentation of two pieces for the diploma. One piece for a large orchestra and one or two pieces for smaller ensembles. The presentation of the large orchestral piece will be arranged by the Academy. The graduate is responsible for arranging the presentation of the piece(s) for smaller ensembles.

The number of performers and instruments required for the orchestral piece may not exceed the following:

•      3 flutes (3rd flute may be replaced by piccolo or alto flute)
•      2 oboes (2nd oboe may be replaced by English horn)
•      2 clarinets (2nd clarinet may be replaced by E-flat clarinet or bass clarinet)
•      2 bassoons (2nd bassoon may be replaced by contrabassoon)
•      4 horns
•      3 trumpets
•      3 trombones
•      1 tuba
•      timpani (max. 4 instruments, 1 player)
•      Percussion (max. 2 players, small instruments that are easy to transport and require little space to store) ✱
•      Strings: max. 10-8-6-4-2

Total: 9 woodwinds, 11 brass instruments, 3 percussion instruments, 30 strings, i.e. max. 54 players.

✱Percussion instruments, some of which can be selected as needed, max. 2 players available:

1 set of tubular bells, 2 pairs of A2 cymbals, 4 suspended cymbals, 2 snare drums, 1 piccolo snare drum, 1 military snare drum, 1 bass drum, 1 tam-tam, 6 tom-toms (various depths), 1 xylophone, 2 pairs of bongos, 3 wind gongs, 4 wooden drums, 1 6-piece temple block, 1 3-piece rototom, 1 agogo bell, 1 bell, 1 cabasa, 2 congas, 2 chimes, 1 pair of claves, 1 tambourine (classical), 2 headless tambourines, 1 rainstick, 1 güiro, 1 castanets, 1 ratchet, 2 pairs of maracas, 2 shakers, 4 egg shakers, 2 sleigh bells (with 2 rows and 4 rows), 2 triangles, 1 vibraslap, 1 pair of finger cymbals, 1 ocean drum, 2 whistles, 1 slide whistle, 2 wind chimes (shell, bamboo), 1 flexatone, 1 small thunder tube, 4 caxixi (various sizes), 1 pop-gun, 1 vibra tone, 1 quijada (donkey jawbone).

Please consult with department administrator Roberta Renkó at renko.roberta[at]zeneakademia.hu regarding the list of percussion instruments you wish to use.

The specified equipment may, of course, be used freely. Therefore, except for purely string or wind ensembles, any symphonic orchestra formation of more than 30 members is considered an orchestra.

The orchestral piece cannot be longer than 15 minutes and cannot be shorter than 9 minutes. Those who have planned a longer orchestral piece must select a section they wish to present as their diploma work. The total length of the smaller-scale piece (cyclical piece or two separate pieces are also possible) cannot be longer than 20 minutes and cannot be shorter than 12 minutes.

If you wish to use electronic devices, please consult with the department administrator in advance! Please note that the orchestra does not have a piano or harp available for use. Exceptions may be made for competition pieces, and vocal soloists may also be included if arranged by the graduate themselves.

Any additional instrument needs can be reported to renko.roberta[at]zeneakademia.hu by Wednesday 7 January, 2026.

The diploma works will be presented at two concerts. One concert will feature the orchestral compositions, while the other will feature the pieces written for smaller ensembles.

According to our plans, the orchestral compositions will be performed by the Danubia Orchestra Óbuda.

• Date of the chamber music concert: Sunday, 10 May 2026, 19:00 Solti Hall
• Submission deadline for the chamber music pieces: Thursday, 9 April 2026 – Please submit the score electronically. The graduate is responsible for arranging the performance of the chamber music pieces.
• Date of the orchestra concert: Monday, 11 May 2026, 19:00 Grand Hall
• Submission deadline for orchestral scores: Monday, 9 February 2026
• Submission deadline for orchestral parts: Monday, 23 February 2026

If the deadline is missed, the graduate cannot hold the diploma concert as a public event.

For the orchestral parts, please submit one copy of each part, per desk, and two copies of the score. Please submit the scores in a form suitable for orchestral use (bound, stapled, or at least glued).

- As many copies of the percussion sheet music as there are instruments in the given piece (max. 6 copies).

- When editing the orchestral parts, the page turns required for orchestral playing must be planned in advance in the score so that the page turns fall on longer pauses. This should be done for the string parts if possible, and definitely for the parts of solo players (wind, percussion, keyboard, plucked string instruments, etc.).

-maximum size: B4

-page size: preferably A4 – max. B4

-rastral size: preferably 7mm – min. 6,5 mm

Please also submit the score electronically: upload it to an online storage site (Google Drive or Dropbox) and send only the link to the storage site to renko.roberta[at]zeneakademia.hu

Paper-based materials, parts, and scores should be submitted to Roberta Renkó, department administrator, in Building W52, Room 013 on the ground floor.