Voice (Opera and Concert) (B. Mus.)

Overview of the degree program

Standard period of study 8 semesters (4 years)
Overall scope

240 credit points

115 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 an aptitude test

In derogation from this, a general Certificate of Secondary Education (for example Realschulabschluss) does qualify to enroll if a candidate has passed the aptitude test in his/her chosen artistic major subject 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 degree program prepares students for a career as an opera or concert singer.
Course structure and content The degree program encompasses 13 compulsory modules:

  • Artistic Practice I
    • Voice
    • Répétiteur work
    • Sight-singing
    • Physiology of the voice
    • Training of body conditioning
    • Movement and dance
    • Scenic improvisation
    • Dialog arrangement
  • Artistic Practice II
    • Piano
  • Artistic Practice III
    • Voice
    • Répétiteur work
    • Song arrangement
  • Artistic Practice IV
    • Piano
    • Scenic arrangement
    • Dialog arrangement
    • Role study and ensemble oratorio
    • Role study and ensemble opera
  • Artistic Practice V
    • Voice
    • Répétiteur work
    • Song arrangement
    • Style and influence of 18th century music
  • Artistic Practice VI
    • Scenic arrangement
    • Role study and ensemble oratorio
    • Role study and ensemble opera
  • Italian I
    • Italian
  • Italian II
    • Italian
  • Music Theory
    • Composition
    • Ear training
    • Form and structural analysis
  • Music Theory
    • Composition
    • Ear training
    • Instrumentation / Arrangement
  • Music comprehension and music teaching I
    • Music history
    • Introduction to music education
  • Music comprehension and music teaching II
    • Music history
    • Introduction to music education
  • Music comprehension and music teaching III
    • New Music
    • Methods
    • Academic working

Other requirements:

Participation in the choir or a vocal ensemble is mandatory for four semesters over the course of the degree program.

All modules except the Artistic Practice V module conclude with a final module 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 (6 credit points)
  • Practical artistic final examination (11 credit points)

Requirements for the aptitude test

Voice major

Examination duration: approx. 10 minutes

Reciting of at least two art songs and two arias (opera and oratorio) from different periods, sight-singing of an art song

Piano minor

Examination duration: approx. 10 minutes

Presentation of two easier pieces from different periods

Ear training, oral

Examination duration: approx. 10 minutes

Identification of intervals and chords as well as rhythm and meters, repetition (instrumental or voice) and expansion of melodic phrases that are presented, accompaniment of a song melody

Written examination

Examination duration: 1 hour

Musical dictation (single and dual-voice tonal and free tonal musical dictation as well as rhythm examples)

Examination duration: 1 hour

Composition tasks and questions about general music theory (identification and notation of intervals and chords, explanation of specialized musical terminology and forms, notation of a short figured bass, polyharmonic passage for a provided melody).