University of Lleida Continuing Education Certificate

University Specialist Certificate in Medieval Music Research and Performance 

Become a medieval music specialist. Conduct an in-depth and practical study of medieval music history, notations, sources, genres, performance practices, singing, and musical instruments and earn a University Specialist Certificate.

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In collaboration with University of Lleida

Medieval Music Besalú (MMB) in partnership with the University of Lleida offers a series of specialized courses on medieval music research and performance. The program is composed of courses on the history of medieval music, medieval notations, research techniques, repertoires, performance practices, and vocal and instrumental techniques.

A combination of required and elective courses can be taken to earn a “University Specialist Certificate in the Research and Performance of Medieval Music” (15.5 credits ECTS) from the University of Lleida (Spain). The number of required credits and the type of courses may vary depending on the student’s personal interest.

What type of certification is this?

This specific certification, known as título propio universitario in Spain, is offered by the University of Lleida through its continuous education program. It is open to active professionals interested in expanding their knowledge in medieval music research and performance.

The specialist certification (título propio) is not counted as an officially-regulated degree within the universal Spanish university system. It is a certificate validated only by the University of Lleida within their continuing education program.

What is the difference between an officially-regulated degree and a continuing education specialist certificate (título propio)?

An officially-regulated degree can be applied to official postgraduate programs (masters or Ph.D) should students wish to continue, while this MMB professional certificate does not lead towards further study within the university career system. Nonetheless, the university specialist certificate (título propio) can still be recognized and validated by different national and international universities or institutions. Its merits are based on the recognition of the quality of its pedagogic program. This is why it is important that anyone interested in enrolling in the Certificate program should check the procedures for the acceptance and accreditation of a Spanish título propio certification in his or her own country and institution. Please contact the education system in your own country or area to check the current and applicable legislation about “títulos propios” offered by Spanish Universities.

Courses can also be taken for credit without applying to the full program. These credits will get recognition and validation towards the University Specialization Certification should you seek to pursue it in the future. For individual credit fees, please check our tuition page.

REQUIRED COURSES

MEDIEVAL NOTATION
Modal Notation (Notation I) 1.5 credits ECTS
Mensural and Franconian Notations (Notation II) 1.5 credits ECTS

 

MEDIEVAL MUSIC HISTORY

 
Medieval Music History and Performance I (800-1150) 1.5 credits ECTS
Medieval Music History and Performance II (1150-1300) 1.5 credits ECTS

 

APPLIED MUSICOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE

 
Research Techniques and Applied Musicology 2 credits ECTS

ELECTIVE COURSES

VOICE AND MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS TECHNIQUE AND REPERTOIRES

Choose from voice, harp, vielle, citole, gittern, psaltery, portative organ, bagpipe/pipe & tabor, or frame drums

 
Level 1 – Beginner 1 credit ECTS
Level 2 – Intermediate 1 credit ECTS
Level 3 – Advanced 1 credit ECTS
REPERTOIRES AND PERFORMANCE  
Melodic Improvisation (Vocal and Instrumental) 1.5 credits ECTS
Melodic Ornamentation (Vocal and Instrumental) 1.5 credits ECTS
The Monophonic Music of Medieval Paris 1.5 credits ECTS
The Estampies and Dances Royales of the Manuscript du Roi 1.5 credits ECTS
The Cantigas de Santa Maria of Alfonso X 1.5 credits ECTS
The Trouvère Chanson and its Performance 1.5 credits ECTS
The Art of the Troubadour Song 1.5 credits ECTS

MEDIEVAL MUSIC HISTORY

 
Medieval Music Treatises 1.5 credit ECTS

 

APPLIED MUSICOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE

 
Medieval Musical Iconography 1.5 credits ECTS

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I take courses for university credit without enrolling in the full specialist certificate program?

Yes, courses can be taken for credit individually without having to enroll in the full Certificate program. You can transfer the credits later on should you decide to enter the full specialist certificate program at Medieval Music Besalú/UdL.

How many credits do I have to take in the university specialist certificate program?

For the University Specialist Certificate on the Research and Performance of Medieval Music you will have to take a mixture of required (8 credits) and elective (7.5 credits) courses. Tuition is 3,550€ for the 15.5 credits.

What is the duration of the specialist program?

The certificate has to be completed within our “school year”, a nine-month period that spans between September of every year to June of the following year (example September 2022 – June 2023). For people enrolled in the program, the courses are open throughout this entire period.

Can I take courses for individual credit and then transfer them to the specialist certificate later on?

If you are not sure about enrolling in the program or you require more time, you have the option to take the courses over more than one year. However, you will have to pay at the individual course credit fee (non-program). Then when you are ready to go for the specialist certificate, you will have to register in the University Specialist Certificate program. At this point you will pay the prorated program fee for the remainder of the credits you have not taken yet. (For example, if you have taken 10 credits singly, and then decide to go for the certificate, you would pay for 5.5 more credits at the discounted program rate.) Basically, any courses taken for credit through us will be transferable to the 15.5-credit specialist certificate once you enroll in the program.

Is it better to start by just taking some separate credits before joining the Specialist program?

Our recommendation is that you first take some courses as credit courses to get a taste of our program and to see the level of demand. This will also help you to figure out what is the best self-pacing for the type of work required. After you have taken some courses, then register to the Specialist program to validate your credits and earn the full degree.

After taking credits and joining the Specialist program, is there any extra work required to earn the degree?

Yes, if you are validating more than 6 credits, the university requires that you also produce some extra work. This work will be discussed between the student and the director of the program and it can be composed of research work or the creation of an essay, a full concert program proposal, or concert program notes on a specific theme.

If I have taken courses for non-credit at MMB in the past, can they be applied to the specialist certificate now?

Courses that we have offered in the past (pre-Spring 2021 only) without credit cannot be validated as credit through the University as per their rules. However, if you have already taken some required classes non-credit, you can substitute it with another elective class as a one-time exception.

How do I pay for the University Specialist Certification Program or credit courses?

Payment for credit courses or the Specialist Certificate will be conducted directly through the University. 

Are there discounts for credit courses if I take more than one?

The tuition package for the specialist certificate already is reduced by 15% compared to if you take the 15 credits individually.

No discounts are available if you take the courses for credit individually (without being enrolled in the program.)

Can I take any course at any time?

No, only a handful of courses are available each semester. Please see the Course Schedule to see which courses are available.

Are the courses easy or difficult?

All courses are university-level courses and require a good amount of work from the student. In case of difficulty, the instructors are there to help participants resolve doubts and complete the work

How many single courses should I take in a term?

Due to the amount of work required, we recommend that students take only one course during their first term, and then one-three courses maximum during the following terms (four months terms).

How much knowledge of medieval music is necessary to take a MMB course?

Previous knowledge of medieval music is not necessary. What is required is to possess knowledge of modern music notation and basic music theory.

Do I need to audition to take any of the voice or musical instrument courses?

An audition recording is required to enter the medieval singing courses.
Musical instrument courses do not require audition. However, depending on the case, for these courses an audition recording might be requested in order to place you in the correct level course. 

How much work needs to be done in order to successfully complete a course and receive its credit(s)?

In order to successfully complete a course and receive the credit(s), participants must  submit all exercises and get them approved by the instructor. 

Enroll Now

Places are limited for each section, so sign up early.

The International Course of Medieval Music Besalú offers singers and instrumentalists the possibility of studying the repertoires of monodic and polyphonic music composed between the 11th and 13th centuries.

With the support of: