Overview of the degree program
| Standard period of study | 8 semesters (4 years) |
| Overall scope |
240 credit points 110 semester hours in the compulsory modules 8 semester hours in the elective compulsory module |
| 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 an aptitude test A General Certificate of Secondary Education (f.i. Realschulabschluss) does qualify to enroll if a candidate has passed the aptitude test in his/her major subject (orchestral instrument) with a score of at least “13” and has passed all the other parts of the aptitude test as well. 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 submit a certificate of German language skills for at least the level B2 (CER). The authorization expires if the certificate is not submitted in time. |
| Entrance into the program | only possible in the winter semester |
| Degree | Bachelor of Music (B. Mus.) |
| Program objective | The purpose of this degree program is to educate, train, and develop students to excel in a career as an orchestral musician and instrumental educator. |
| Course structure and content | The degree program encompasses 17 compulsory modules:
and 1 elective compulsory module
All modules except Ensemble I, II, III, and Interdisciplinary studies / Context studies conclude with a module-specific examination. (For more information see the annex of the Examination regulations relating to the respective course of studies and the module handbook respectively.) |
| Bachelor's examination |
Module-by-module exams during the course of studies Written Bachelor's thesis (8 credit points) Practical artistic final examination (11 credit points) |
Requirements for the aptitude test
| Major subject |
Recital approx. 15 minutes Violin: Presentation of a passage from one of six solo sonatas/partitas by J. S. Bach, one passage with cadenza from a violin concert by W. A. Mozart, a passage from a Romantic or Modern violin concert or a virtuoso piece of a comparable level of difficulty from a contemporary work of your choice (or an entire work). Sight-playing. Viola, violoncello, or contrabass: Presentation of two passages (one slow, one up-tempo) from a Baroque sonata, a passage from a Classical concert, a passage from a Romantic or contemporary work of your choice (or an entire work). Sight reading. Drum set: Presentation of four works, one each for small drum, timpani, mallets, and drum sets at the following difficulty levels: Small drum: Goldenberg, Morris: Modern School for Snare Drum Etude 7/8, pages 48-49. Schapell & Co, New York; Hochrainer, Richard: Übung für Kleine Trommel, Etude No. 25, Walzer, page 13, Doblinger Verlag, Vienna; Timpani: Hochrainer, Richard: Etüden für Timpani, Book 1, No. 10, Marsch, Doblinger Verlag, Vienna; Keune Ekkehardt: Timpani. Ein Schulwerk, Etude No. 107, page 128, DVfm, Leipzig. Mallets: Schlüter, Wolfgang: Solobuch für Vibraphon, Nadjas Tanz, Page 5, Menuett für Kathrin, Page 8-9, Simrock, Hamburg (can also be played on xylophone or marimbaphone). Drum set: Solo of own choice; Rick Latham, Dante Agostini, Murray Houlif or similar. Xylophone: Goldenberg, Morris: Etude No. 1. All other major subjects: Presentation of four pieces, one from the early Baroque period (Bach, Handel etc.), one from the Classical period (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven etc.), one Romantic (Schubert, Schumann, Brahms etc.) and one Modern piece. Sigh-playing. |
| Piano minor |
Presentation of two easier works from different periods Examination duration: approx. 5 minutes |
| Ear training (oral) |
Identification and singing of intervals and chords, identification of rhythms and meters, repetition (instrumental or voice) and expansion of a presented melodic phrase, sight-singing of an easy choral voice. Examination duration: approx. 10 minutes |
| Ear training / Music theory (written) |
a. Single and dual-voice tonal and free tonal musical dictation as well as rhythm examples Examination duration: 60 minutes b. Identification and writing of intervals and chords, notation of a short figured bass, polyharmonic passage for a given melody, explanation of specialized musical terms and forms. Examination duration: 60 minutes |