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Contemporary and Improvisational Music Specialisation: Master studies

Coordinator:
Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė
Mob.: +370 651 29059
E-mail: indre.baikstyte@lmta.lt

Open Call: Master’s Studies in Contemporary and Improvisational Music at LMTA

Have you already completed your bachelor’s degree or are graduating this year? We invite you to continue your artistic and professional journey by applying to the Contemporary and Improvisational Music specialisation at the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (LMTA), part of the Music Faculty’s Chamber Ensemble Department.

This Master’s specialisation is designed for musicians who wish to broaden their expertise in contemporary music performance and free improvisation, while also engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration and creative exploration.

Our team of active performers and educators offers individual attention to each student, encouraging the discovery of a unique artistic path and musical voice.

During your studies, you will have the opportunity to:

Perform at national and international festivals such as ContemPLAY, Improdimensija, Muzikos Ruduo, jazz festivals, and more,
Take part in cross-disciplinary projects with composers, dancers, and other artists,
Collaborate with both emerging and established contemporary composers,
Develop your improvisational and ensemble performance skills in a variety of contexts.

📅 Entrance examination: 17 June 2025, 11:00

📍 Location: LMTA Building VI (Pamėnkalnio St. 15, Vilnius), Room 402

🗂️ Application deadline: 16 June 2025, 11:00

🔗 Entrance requirements (PDF):

2025 Admission – Contemporary and Improvisational Music MA (ENG)

🔗 Application process for international students:

How to apply for Master’s studies at LMTA

Explore. Create. Improvise.

Join us at LMTA for the Contemporary and Improvisational Music Master’s Programme!

Master studies

This specialisation is perfect for musicians wishing to develop contemporary music performance and improvisation skills. The two-year programme includes two inter-related alternatives to choose from Chamber Ensemble Art Project (Contemporary Music) and Improvisation Music Art Project. Semesters are thematically focused on: 1) contemporary music and ethnic music, 3) music and theatre/performance, 3) music and media. The following are the theoretical subjects (modules): Contemporary Music Analysis and Interpretation, Trends of Contemporary Music Performance and Music Composition, Digital Sound Processing, and others (see the Study Plan below).

Online application forms must be completed no later than 24 hours before the beginning of the entrance examination, which is indicated in the schedule of entrance examinations: https://lmta.lt/en/english-lmta-welcomes-foreign-students/english-studies/. EU citizens may compete for the state funded study places, and successful candidates will be exempt from the tuition fee.

The context of studies is the contemporary and improvisational international scene. The team of teachers includes visiting professors who will lead workshops, seminars, and intensive collaborative projects. Each semester will end up with a public performance. Participation in contemporary music festivals, placements in contemporary ensembles and developed professional partnerships in Lithuania and abroad will help students to gradually integrate into professional life.

Contemporary Music (Chamber Ensemble) studies are headed by composer and conductor prof Vykintas Baltakas. The emphasis is placed on building the repertoire of written contemporary music, understanding contemporary notation, and mastering contemporary techniques. Repertoire studies include a stylistic and aesthetic overview of music written after 1950. Students in this specialisation will also have lectures on solo and ensemble improvisation.

Improvised Music (free improvisation) studies are headed by multi-reeds improviser assoc. prof. Liudas Mockūnas. Free improvisation course aims at the development of improvisational skills in solo and ensemble performance, providing knowledge in contemporary classical music (theoretically and practically), and developing students’ creativity. Students will be free to develop their own projects and will be encouraged to experiment. Study forms include regular one-to-one classes, group work and integrated project-based activities, i.e. masterclasses led by world known improvisers and interdisciplinary workshops.

Main Teaching Staff

Prof. Vykintas Baltakas
E-mail: lmta@baltakas.net
Website: www.baltakas.net

Assoc. Prof. Liudas Mockūnas
E-mail: liudasmockunas@gmail.com
Biography: http://www.mic.lt/en/database/jazz/composers-artists/mockunas/

Prof. Dr. Indrė Baikštytė
E-mail: indre.baikstyte@lmta.lt
Biography: https://lmta.lt/en/darbuotojas/indre-baikstyte/

Assoc. Prof. Arnas Mikalkėnas
E-mail: arnasmika@gmail.com
Biography: https://lmta.lt/en/darbuotojas/arnas-mikalkenas/

STUDY PLAN:

Semester	1	2	3	4
Subject	ECTS/Assesment*
Alternatives of Art Project **: – Contemporary Music Art Project – Improvisation Music Art Project	10/E 10/E	10/E 10/E	10/E 10/E
Instrument	5/Į	5/Į	5/Į	5/E
Techniques of Contemporary Music Performance	5/E
Contemporary Music Analysis and Interpretation	5/E
Trends of Contemporary Music Performance and Music Composition		5/E
Digital Processes of Sound			5/E
Research Paper			5/E
Final Research Paper				5/G
Master’s Art Project				20/G
Performance Theory and Practice	5/E
Optional Subject		5/E
Basics of Research Paper		5/E
Optional Subject (alternatives in the management study field)			5/E
ECTS:	30	30	30	30
Total ECTS:	120

* Į – Pass, E – Exam, G – Defense.
** Students have to choose one of the two alternatives for the entire study period.

For inquiries:

Prof. Indrė Baikštytė
Coordinator of Master’s Specialization Contemporary Music
Mob.: +370 651 29059
E-mail: indre.baikstyte@lmta.lt

Rima Rimšaitė
Head of International Relations Office
Phone: +370 5 2124967
E-mail: rima.rimsaite@lmta.lt

Admissions: admission@lmta.lt