Instrumental Studies and Conducting Bachelor (Focus: Performance)

1. current passport photo (the following formats are accepted: GIF, JPEG, JPG or PNG)
2. Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae in tabular form (up to the year of application)
3. School leaving certificate (if not yet available, the last school certificate is sufficient for the time being), in case of foreign certificates a certified translation in German or English is required*
4. If applying for a Master's degree: Bachelor's certificate or equivalent, "Transcript of Records", if applying for a concert exam: Master's certificate or equivalent, "Transcript of Records "*
5. For applicants from the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, certificate of the Academic Evaluation Service (APS) (PR China // Vietnam)
6. Proof of language skills according to the requirements of the degree programmes (see below, Language certificates)
7. Please note that you have to submit additional documents in the different study programmes. Please inform yourself about this on the website of the respective study program for which you are applying under "aptitude test". Among other things, letter of motivation, assignments, phoniatric report (voice)...

*If you do not have all final certificates at the time of application, please submit the most recent certificates and supporting documents in advance. Submit the final documents without being asked and in good time before the start of your studies. If you have any questions, please contact us immediately.  

Please fill out the online application completely and upload all requested documents. After you have submitted your online application with a final mouse click, you will receive an email from us confirming the receipt of your application.

After the application deadline, you will receive an invoice from us for an administrative fee of 50 Euro. Please transfer the fee to the account of the HfMDK stating your invoice number and name within the mentioned payment deadline. Only when the administrative fee has been credited to the university's account is your application complete and can be processed.

The application fee is charged per applicant. If you apply for two courses or subjects, no further fee is due. The fee will be due again if you reapply at a later date (new round of applications).

A refund of the application fee is excluded - this also applies if the application is withdrawn.

3 pieces from 3 stylistic periods. Single movements are enough.

The complete program (see homepage) is not required in digital form. Submit at least two different sets with one take per set.

2 works (also single movements) from 2 different epochs. Duration 7-10 minutes.

The complete program (at least 25 minutes) must be submitted. In case of significant overlength of the program, the duration can be reduced by the allowed submission of single movements. The program must cover at least 4 epochs.

10 minutes from the current examination program (see homepage), including an etude and a work of free choice.

Total duration: at least 20 minutes
1. one fast movement from one of the 6 solo sonatas/partitas by Bach
2. one slow movement from a classical concerto or sonata
3. one fast movement from a violin concerto of the romantic period

two pieces of different genres with a total of max. 10 minutes of playing time (possibly also in excerpts)

Please record at least ten minutes from your prepared entrance examination repertoire for an application video. Each of the works from the three epochs should be represented; you can determine the excerpts (e.g. individual movements or form parts) yourself. Of course, sight-reading is not required

The three pieces do not have to be recorded in one take, but they should come from the same recording situation (i.e. no recordings from different concerts) and be uncut

Bassoon

• 20 minutes prelude: 3 pieces from 3 stylistic periods (single movements are also possible; 1 piece can be an etude, but does not have to be)
• Scales and arpeggios
• Sight-reading

Harp (preliminary)

• Performance of the Concerto in B-flat major by Händel, a solo piece for harp, an etude (Schmidt or Bochsa 25) and an orchestral piece (Casse-noisette)

Horn

• 3 pieces from 3 stylistic periods
• Sight-reading

Clarinet

• Performance of three pieces from three stylistic periods, e.g. Stamitz Concerto No. 10 in B flat major, Weber Concertino in E flat major, Sutermeister Capriccio
• Playing scales and triads
• Sight-reading of an easier piece

Double bass

• Performance of an etude (e.g. Simandl, Storch, Hrabé)
• a baroque sonata (e.g. Marcello, de Fesch or Eccles)
• two movements of a concerto (e.g. Capucci, Händel or Cimador)
• sight-reading of an easier piece, scale playing if needed

Oboe

• Performance of single movements from three works from three stylistic periods (e.g. movements from Telemann Sonata in G minor, Haydn Concerto, Schumann Romances, Britten Metamorphoses). The prepared program should be 25 minutes long; the commission reserves the right to choose from it
• Playing scales and triads

Trombone

• a program of about 20 minutes with works from three stylistic periods
• Sight-reading

Flute

• 3 completely prepared pieces from different stylistic periods
• Sight-reading

Saxophone

• 3 pieces from at least two different stylistic periods
• One of the pieces may be a transcription or arrangement of a piece for another instrument
• Instrument. One of the works may also be an etude
• It does not matter for which saxophone the works were written or arranged
• Possible combination: Bach transcription for soprano, Glasunov concerto for alto saxophone and Noda improvisation also for alto saxophone

Percussion (preliminary)

• Snare drum: Die Mühle as well as Wirbel in forte and piano, a moderately difficult exercise or etude (e.g. from Hochrainer Kleine Trommelschule, Fink-Trommelstudien, Goldenberg Trommelschule or Knauer Kleine Trommel-Schule)
• Timpani: pegs in forte and piano, two moderately difficult exercises or etudes (e.g. from the Hochrainer Timpani School, Delecluse Timpani Etudes, Fink Timpani Studies, Knauer Timpani School or similar), intonation exercises
• Xylophone: a moderately difficult exercise from the "Goldenberg Gl. Vibr. Xyl. school", scale over two octaves
• Mallet (marimba or vibraphone): short solo piece or etude
• Playing rhythmic studies from the sheet

Trumpet (duration: 15 to 20 minutes)

• 3 works (also single movements) from 3 stylistic periods, e.g. Hummel Concerto, Enesco Legend and Hindemith Sonata

Tuba (preliminary)

• Performance of one of the first two Blazhevich etudes
• Performance of the Andante by Cherepnin for piano and tuba
• Performance of another work of own choice
• Playing scales and triads
• Sight-reading of an easier piece

Violin

• one slow and one fast movement from a solo sonata or partita by Bach
• a slow movement from a classical sonata or a classical violin concerto
• a fast movement from a romantic violin concerto
• an etude or a modern piece
• Sight-reading

Viola

From a total of three different epochs are to be played:

• First movement of a concerto
• one movement from a work for viola solo (in multi-movement works at least 2 contrasting movements)
• a sonata (first movement) or a virtuoso work
• one etude
• Sight-reading

Violoncello

Performance of three works of the different style epochs baroque, classical, romantic, modern including

• one slow and one fast movement from one of Bach's suites
• a first movement of a concerto
• an etude (e.g. Duport No. 1, 12, 14, Popper Hohe Schule, Piatti Capricen)
• Sight-reading of an easier piece

Piano

• The program must cover at least 4 eras and be at least 25 minutes in length.
• From sight-reading
• The playing time is about 10-15 minutes

Guitar (preliminary)

• Three works from different style periods (baroque, classical, romantic and modern), e.g. a-minor fugue by J. S. Bach, Omaggio by Manuel de Falla, Quatre pièces brèves by Frank Martin
• Sight-reading of a piece of medium difficulty

Recorder

The purpose of the examination is to determine the level of the prerequisites necessary for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental technical skills, musical creative will, intonation hearing
Examination program with 3 works (duration approx. 15 minutes)

• High baroque sonata or concerto on the alto recorder (e.g. by Händel, Telemann or Barsanti)
• a piece of the 14th-17th century on the soprano recorder (e.g. Estampie, Sonata or Canzone or Variationenwerk)
• one piece of the 20th or 21st century

Harpsichord

The aptitude test serves to determine the level of the prerequisites necessary for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental technical skills, musical creativity, basic skills in playing the basso continuo
Examination program with works from at least 3 different stylistic areas (from these the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including:

• a polyphonic piece (e.g. fugue from Bach: WTK or Ricercar of the 17th century) or a work with pronounced polyphonic parts
• Study movements from the style of the French clavecinists (e.g. d'Angelbert, L. or F. Couperin, Rameau, Duphly) or from suite compositions from the German-speaking area (e.g. Fischer, J. S. Bach, Händel, Fux)
• a piece of the 17th century (e.g. Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Froberger)
• a piece with medium/higher technical demands of the German high or late baroque or the pre- and early classical period or a sonata by D. Scarlatti, Soler, Seixas or the like
• Prima vista playing of a simple basso continuo

Viola da gamba

The aptitude test serves to determine the level of the prerequisites necessary for taking up professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental technical skills, musical creative will, intonation hearing
Examination program with 3 works or excerpts from them (duration approx. 15 minutes):

• Renaissance (e.g. Ricercar by D- Ortiz; Canzona by G. Frescobaldi; Selma; Vitali)
• German Sonata (e.g. by C. F. Abel)
• French suite (e.g. dance movements by M. Marais)

Lute

The aptitude test is used to determine the level of prerequisites necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental technical skills and musical creative will
Examination program with works from at least 2 different style areas (from these the commission chooses music in the duration of approx. 15 minutes), among them:

• english style (e.g. Dowland)
• italian style (e.g. Da Milano)
• italian early baroque (e.g. Kapsberger, Piccinini)
• french style (e.g. Gaultier)
• a work of the 18th century.

Mandatory sight-reading of a simple basso continuo is expected.

Organ

• four works of medium difficulty, including one work by J. S. Bach and one contemporary work

Program for the qualifying examinations for the winter semester 2022/2023:

1. Round

A) Conducting on two pianos:

• Johannes Brahms, Symphony N. 1 in C minor, Op. 68, 4th movement: Adagio - beginning of Allegro non troppo, ma con brio.
• W.A. Mozart, The Magic Flute, Act 1, Finale: Recitativo "The wisdom of these boys"

B) Listening tasks

• Singing intervals and chords as well as excerpts from the prepared scores
• Rhythm reproduction (from memory as well as from sight)

2. Round

C) Piano score:

• W.A. Mozart, Le nozze di Figaro, Act 4, Finale. You must simultaneously play and sing (mark) the vocal parts.
• An opera excerpt from sheet music (without singing)

D) Playing the score on the piano:

• Anton Bruckner, Symphony No. 8 in C minor (Edition Nowak, 1890 version), 3rd movement Adagio: beginning - letter E
• Score playing from sheet

E) Instrumental playing:

• A composition (or a movement from it) on your principal instrument of your own choice, which you consider representative of your musical and technical level. From this, the exam committee will expect to hear approximately five minutes. Please let us know the composition to be played at least three weeks before the day of the exam, indicating whether you will need piano accompaniment.

3. Round

F) Conducting an ensemble or small orchestra:

• Aaron Copland, Appalachian Spring (original version for 13 instruments): Beginning - Numeral 16

G) A short discussion

NB: The program for the qualifying exams for WS 2023/2024 will be announced in February 2023.