Overview of the degree program
| Standard period of study | 4 semesters |
| Overall scope | 61-66 semester hours in the compulsory modules |
| Admission requirements |
University entrance qualification as per Art. 33 and 65 (1-2) of the University Act (HochSchG): General higher education entrance qualification or a discipline-specific admission qualification. Successful completion of a aptitude test A Bachelor's degree in church music or an equivalent degree awarded by a university in Germany or abroad. Good command of English Candidates applying for the aptitude test, who have neither a German general qualification for university entrance nor a degree / graduation in a German speaking course of studies have to prove sufficient knowledge of the German language (comparable with level A1-GERR). This can be proven either through submission of appropriate test certificates or through a conversation with the Board of Examiners during the aptitude test. If necessary, the Board of Examiners advices to take part in study-integrated German classes according to the respective language skills. |
| Entrance into the program | possible in winter and summer semester |
| Degree | Master of Music (M. Mus.) |
| Program objective |
The goal is to educate church musicians with a Master's degree in church music who are suitable for applications with an outstanding profile in the catholic and protestat church. It is expected that graduants of this degree have advanced considerably their artistic personality in all of the four main fields of activity compared to graduents of the Bachelor's degree: Alongside the liturgical tasks the graduants will be prepared for intercommunal tasks in the context of further education in the field of church music as much as in artistic and organizational fields. |
| Course structure | The Master's studies include the following courses, although there is the possibility of individual focuses on compulsory modules. |
| Course content |
Major artistic training Organ score-reading and sight-playing I Organ score-reading and sight-playing, stylistics, didactics / methodology of organ lessons (literature / improvisation), piano or historic keyboard instrument (Cembalo or historic Organ) Major artistic training Organ score-reading and sight-playing II Organ score-reading and sight-playing, stylistics, piano or historic keyboard instrument (Cembalo or historic Organ) Major artistic liturgical Organ playing / improvisation I Liturgical Organ playing / improvisation, didactics of liturgical Organ playing/improvisation (guided teaching practice), music theory Major artistic liturgical Organ playing / improvisation II Liturgical Organ playing / improvisation, music theory Major artistic ensemble conducting I Orchestral conduction, choral conduction, practicing choir, choir, singing, children's and youth's choral conduction and speech training, Gregorian chorale Major artistic ensemble conducting II Orchestral conduction, choral conduction, practicing choir, choir, singing, children's and youth's choral conduction and speech training Major artistic ensemble conducting III Orchestral conduction, choral conduction, practicing choir Elective compulsory module: You can chose from a widespread offer of lectures/teaching sessions. It is obligatory to receive 10 credit points. It is possible to enroll for a maximum of two courses with one-to-one lessons; these courses have to be taken over a period of two semesters. For more information see the annex of the Examination regulations relating to the respective course of studies and the module handbook respectively. |
| Master's examination |
Four artistic-practical Master's examination: Organ score-reading and sight-playing, liturgical Organ playing / improvisation, Orchestral conduction, choral conduction Written final assignment |
Requirements for the aptitude test
Organ
- presentation of Organ pieces from four different epochs, containing the first or last from a trio sonata from J. S. Bach or a choral prelude of concertante style, e.g. BWV 650, 664, 676, 688 (Duration of the examination ca. 20 minutes)
- Improvised intonations and cantus firmus arrangements in different forms of your own choice; song accompaniment based on a single voice pattern, also with emphasize on c.f. plus transpositions of church songs (Duration of examination ca. 10 minutes)
Examination in the subject of Conducting
Practice work with a university choir (Duration of examination ca. 30 minutes).
Applicants can get the task one week before the examination on request at the Academic Office (Studienbüro).
Examination in the subject of Singing
Presentation of a baroque aria and an art song (Duration of examination max. 10 minutes).