Orchestral Instruments (M. Mus.)

Overview of the degree program

Standard period of study 4 semesters (2 years)
Overall scope

120 credit points

44 semester hours in the compulsory modules

8 semester hours in the elective compulsory modules

Admission requirements

A Bachelor's degree in Music or an equivalent degree awarded by a university in Germany or abroad

Successful completion of a aptitude test

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 both summer and winter semester
Degree Master of Music (M. Mus.)
Course structure

Module examinations after the 2nd and 4th semester, Master's examination following the 4th semester

(For more information see the annex of the Examination regulations relating to the respective course of studies and the module handbook respectively.)

Course contents

The course of studies encompasses the compulsory modules:

Major subject l and ll
Major subject classes, orchestral studies

Orchestra I and II

Chamber music I and II

and 1 elective compulsory module

Interdisciplinary studies / Context studies

Courses of the School of Music and its cooperation partners

(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
  1. Module-by-module exams during the course of studies
  2. Public concert (45 minutes)

Requirements for the aptitude test

Violin
  • Performance of a classical concert
  • Performance of a solo sonata or a solo partita by J.S. Bach
  • Performance of a Romantic concert
  • a work composed after 1960

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Viola
  • Performance of a classical concert (F. A Hoffmeister oder C. Stamitz)
  • Performance of one of the major viola concerts of the 20th century (e.g. by P. Hindemith, W. Walton, or B. Bartók)
  • Performance of two further pieces

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Violoncello
  • Performance of a suite for violoncello solo by J. S. Bach
  • Performance of a violoncello concert by J. Hadyn (C major, Hob. VIIb:1 or D major, Hob. VIIb:2) or by L. Boccherini
  • Performance of a Romantic violoncello concert or a contemporary work for violoncello

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Contrabass
  • Performance of a classical concert, 1st and 2nd movements, without cadenza (e.g. by K. Ditters von Dittersdorf, J. B. Vanhal, F. A. Hoffmeister)
  • Performance of the first movement of a Romantic concert
  • a contemporary work for solo contrabass

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Transverse flute
  • Performance of a concert by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of a work from the Romantic period as well as
  • a work from the Modern period
Oboe
  • Performance of a concert by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of a concert from the Romantic period
  • Performance of a concert from the Modern period

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Clarinet
  • Performance of a concert by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of a work from the Romantic period as well as
  • a work from the Modern period

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Bassoon
  • Performance of a concert by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of a work from the Romantic period as well as
  • a work from the Modern period

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Trumpet
  • Performance of the concert in E flat major (Hob VIIe:1) by J. Haydn on a B♭ trumpet
  • Performance of a selected etude by V. Reynolds
  • Performance of another selected piece

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

High horn
  • Performance of the Concerto No. 2 in E flat major (KV 417) or the Concerto No. 4 in E flat major (KV 495) by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of the Concerto No. 1 in E flat major op.11 by R. Strauss
  • Performance of an etude by V. Reynolds

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Low Horn
  • Performance of the Concerto No. 3 in E flat major (KV 447) by W. A. Mozart
  • Performance of the Horn Concerto No. 4 in D major (Hob. VIId:4)
  • Performance of the 'Bagatelle für tiefes Horn und Klavier' by H. Neuling

Examination duration approx. 15 minutes

Trombone and bass trombone

Prior to the examination, a repertoire list is to be submitted that includes at least five concerts from three different stylistic periods, current practice pieces (such as the Concertino in E flat major op. 4 for tenor trombone by F. David and the Concertino in F major for bass trombone by E. Sachse) as well as an etude with a high degree of difficulty. The committee will select the works or excerpts from this repertoire that are to be performed.

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Tuba

Prior to the test, a repertoire list is to be submitted that includes at least three concerts. The committee will select the works or excerpts from this repertoire that are to be performed. In addition to these, the Concert in F minor by R. V. Williams and an etude by M. Bordogni are to be performed.

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes

Drums

Prior to the examination, a repertoire list is to be submitted that includes works from various stylistic directions, one chamber music work, and etudes or literary works to be performed on the following instruments: Small drums, timpani, xylophone, and mallet instruments, multipercussion. The committee will select the works or excerpts from this repertoire that are to be performed.

Examination duration: approx. 15 minutes