Artistic Music Studies KAM (Bachelor)

Study objectives

The aim of the course is to provide instrumentalists with a fundamental and professionally qualifying artistic education. On the basis of in-depth instrumental, stylistic and musical skills, students learn to formulate their own artistic statements, develop a broad repertoire, act with increasing confidence in the stage and performance context and develop techniques for working independently. In the context of ensembles, they contribute their skills and learn to adapt their role appropriately and variably. They can reflect on instrumental issues and artistic subjects and verbalize their thoughts.

Selectable specializations

• Instrumental pedagogy (14 CP in the elective area + 14 CP from the compulsory area)
• Historical interpretation practice (18 CP in the elective area + 10 CP from the compulsory area)
• Chamber music (16 CP from the elective area + 12 CP from the compulsory area)

Specializations include content and courses from different module areas.

Do I have to choose a specialization?

No, you do not have to. It is possible to choose a specialization, but it is not mandatory.

Study objectives

The aim of the course is to provide instrumentalists with a fundamental and professionally qualifying artistic education. On the basis of in-depth instrumental, stylistic and musical skills, students learn to formulate their own artistic statements, develop a broad repertoire, act with increasing confidence in the stage and performance context and develop techniques for working independently. In the context of ensembles, they contribute their skills and learn to adapt their role appropriately and variably. They can reflect on instrumental issues and artistic subjects and verbalize their thoughts.

Selectable specializations

• Instrumental pedagogy (8 CP in the elective area + 20 CP from the compulsory area)
• Historical interpretation practice (18 CP in the elective area + 10 CP from the compulsory area)
• Chamber music (14 CP in the elective area + 14 CP from the compulsory area)

Specializations include content and courses from different module areas.

Do I have to choose a specialization?

No, you do not have to. It is possible to choose a specialization, but it is not mandatory.

Study objectives

The aim of the course is to provide instrumentalists with a fundamental and professionally qualifying artistic education. On the basis of in-depth instrumental, stylistic and musical skills, students learn to formulate their own artistic statements, develop a broad repertoire, act with increasing confidence in the stage and performance context and develop techniques for working independently. In the context of ensembles, they contribute their skills and learn to adapt their role appropriately and variably. They can reflect on instrumental issues and artistic subjects and verbalize their thoughts.

Selectable specializations

• Instrumental pedagogy (16 CP in the elective area + 12 CP from the compulsory area)
• Historical interpretation practice (8 CP in the elective area + 20 CP from the compulsory area)

Specializations include content and courses from different module areas.

Do I have to choose a specialization?

No, you do not have to. It is possible to choose a specialization, but it is not mandatory.

Study objectives

The aim of the course is to provide instrumentalists with a fundamental and professionally qualifying artistic education. On the basis of in-depth instrumental, stylistic and musical skills, students learn to formulate their own artistic statements, develop a broad repertoire, act with increasing confidence in the stage and performance context and develop techniques for working independently. In the context of ensembles, they contribute their skills and learn to adapt their role appropriately and variably. They can reflect on instrumental issues and artistic subjects and verbalize their thoughts.

Selectable specializations

• Instrumental pedagogy (14 CP in the elective area +14 CP from the compulsory area)
• Chamber music (16 CP in the elective area + 12 CP from the compulsory area)

Specializations include content and courses from different module areas.

Do I have to choose a specialization?

No, you do not have to. It is possible to choose a specialization, but it is not mandatory.

Study objectives

The aim of the degree course with conducting (orchestral conducting / choral conducting) as a major subject is to provide thorough and professionally qualifying artistic training for conductors. Students learn to develop independent, reflective and meaningful interpretations on the basis of their in-depth specialist knowledge and stylistic knowledge of different genres and epochs. They develop a precise conducting and percussion technique as well as a stylistically differentiated and expressive body language. Students assume responsibility, acquire analytical and organizational skills and learn to communicate and implement their musical ideas in a clear, efficient, contemporary and pedagogically and psychologically skilful manner when working with ensembles of different sizes and levels.

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.

We ask you to submit a video (10-15 minutes) of you conducting from the front. Ideally in front of an ensemble, choir or orchestra. But it can also be in front of a piano. Please select several short video excerpts with repertoire from different eras. We also ask you to include a short statement in the video explaining why you would like to study conducting and why you are interested in studying at HfMDK Frankfurt.

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

The complete program (see homepage) is not required in digital form. At least two different sets with one take per set must be submitted.

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

At least two epochs, including a baroque work or the first movement of a Viennese classical sonata.

Duration of the video approx. 15-20 minutes

Works presented in the video may be performed again in the presence examination if invited.

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

Total duration: at least 20 minutes
1. one fast movement from one of Bach's 6 solo sonatas/partitas
2. a slow movement from a classical concerto or a classical 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 (possibly also in excerpts)

Please record at least ten minutes of your prepared audition 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 parts) yourself. There is of course no sight-reading.

The three pieces do not have to be recorded in one take, but 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 (individual movements are also possible; 1 piece can be an etude, but does not have to be)
• Scales and arpeggios
• Sight-reading

Horn

• 3 pieces from 3 stylistic periods
• Sight-reading

Clarinet

• Performance of three works 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 an easier piece

Oboe

• Performance of individual 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 last 25 minutes; the commission reserves the right to select from the following
• Playing scales and triads

Trombone

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

Transverse flute

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

Saxophone

• 3 works from at least two different stylistic periods
• One of the works may be a transcription or arrangement of a work 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

Trumpet (duration: 15 to 20 minutes)

• 3 works (also individual 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 Cherepnin's Andante for piano and tuba
• Performance of another work of own choice
• Playing scales and triads
• Sight-reading of an easier piece

Recorder

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• A high baroque sonata or a concerto on the alto recorder (e.g. by Handel, Telemann or Barsanti)
• a piece from the 14th-17th centuries on the soprano recorder (e.g. Estampie, Sonata or Canzone or variation work)
• a work from the 20th or 21st century.

Transverse flute

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), e.g:

• Handel Sonata no.5, op.1, Telemann methodical Sonata, Fantasy for flute solo, Hotteterre Suite op.2 no.3, Leclair Sonata in E minor, C.P.E. Bach Sonata in G major
• Playing from the reed

Historical oboe

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites necessary for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including at least 2 movements from each:

• a suite in the French style (e.g. Hotteterre, Philidor...)
• a sonata in the Italian or German style (e.g. Sammartini, Handel, Babell, Telemann...)
• Sight-reading

Historical bassoon instruments

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from at least 2 different stylistic areas (duration approx. 15 minutes), including

• a piece from the 17th century (e.g. G. Frescobaldi, B. Selma, D. Ortiz, possibly with Dulzian)
• a sonata from the high or late baroque period (e.g. J.E. Galliard, J.B. de Boismortier, G. Ph. Telemann)

Natural horn

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites required for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• an etude by J.-Fr. Gallay
• a concerto or sonata from the classical or early romantic period.
• Sight-reading

Natural trumpet

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a sonata by Girolamo Fantini
• a work from the high or late baroque period
• Sight-reading

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, Handel or Cimador)
• sight-reading of an easier piece, scale playing if required

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

A total of three different epochs must be played:

• First movement of a concerto
• a movement from a work for viola solo (in the case of 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 from the different stylistic periods baroque, classical, romantic, modern including

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

Historical violin

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with works from at least 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a movement from a Bach solo sonata
• an early baroque work (e.g. by Marini, Castello, Uccelini, Biber)
• two movements from a high baroque sonata with basso continuo (e.g. Vivaldi, Corelli, Telemann, Leclair)
• Sight-reading

Historical viola

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with works from at least 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a dance movement from a suite for cello by J.S. Bach
• an early baroque work (e.g. by Marini, Castello, Uccelini, Biber or similar)
• two movements (slow and fast) of a sonata with basso continuo from the high baroque or "gallant style" (e.g. by Flackton, Telemann "Sonate metodiche", Benda or similar)
• Sight-reading

Historical violoncello

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites required for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with two complete works from two different stylistic areas (the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes),

• a single movement with a demanding continuo part (performed with accompaniment)
• Sight-reading

Violon/historical double bass:

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites required for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with three works from different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a demanding continuo part by Bach
• a work from the solo repertoire of the Viennese bass tradition
• a work from the late Renaissance or early Baroque period (e.g. a canzona, a madrigal alla bastarda or similar)
• Sight-reading

Viola da gamba

The examination serves to determine the level of the prerequisites required for admission to a professional course of study. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness Examination program with 3 works or movements from 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes):

• a Renaissance work (e.g. Ricercar by D- Ortiz; Canzona by G. Frescobaldi; Selma; Vitali)
• a German sonata from the high or late baroque period (e.g. by C. F. Abel)
• a French suite from the 17th/18th century (e.g. dance movements by M. Marais)
• Sight-reading

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with works from at least 3 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a polyphonic work (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 world (e.g. Fischer, J. S. Bach, Händel, Fux)
• a work from the 17th century (e.g. Fitzwilliam Virginal Book, Froberger)
• a work with medium/higher technical demands from the German high or late baroque or pre- and early classical period or a sonata by D. Scarlatti, Soler, Seixas or similar.
• Prima Vista playing of a simple basso continuo

Focus on orchestral conducting (10-20 minutes)

With piano:

• C. Orff: Carmina Burana, No. 6 Dance

In addition, please prepare the following two movements, one of which will be selected on site by the commission:

• L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 8, 1st movement
• J. Haydn: Symphony No. 85 "La Reine", 1st movement

With instrumental ensemble:

• W. A. Mozart: Symphony No. 39, E flat major, KV 543, 1st movement

or

• L. v. Beethoven: Symphony No. 4, 1st movement

Focus on choral conducting (10-20 minutes)

With piano:

• C. Orff: Carmina Burana, No. 6 Dance
• J. S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion, No. 9(a-e) and 10 (If the numbering differs: beginning "Aber am ersten Tage der süßen Brot" to the chorale "Ich bin's, ich sollte büßen"). Please mark the vocal parts.

With choir or ensemble:

• Conducting a choir rehearsal including vocal coaching based on a choral work which will be sent to applicants two weeks before the aptitude test.

Main instrument/vocals (10 minutes)

Please prepare four challenging works/single movements/etudes. The four pieces should come from four different eras (baroque, classical, romanticism, 20th century/contemporary). The commission will select the pieces to be played/sung on site.

Compulsory subject tests

1. a written listening test (see sample), approx. 60 minutes
2. a written test in music theory (see sample), approx. 90 minutes
3. Prepared playing of a score on the piano, sight-reading on the piano and sight-singing, approx. 10-15 minutes

Regarding 3. score playing / sight-reading:

If your focus is on orchestral conducting: Please prepare a short excerpt from a symphonic work or an opera in which you demonstrate that you have mastered the usual transpositions (F, Bb, E flat, A). You will then be given a short two-part excerpt with transposing instruments and the usual clefs (treble, bass, alto and tenor clefs).

If your focus is on choral conducting: Please prepare an excerpt from a double-choir choral score that also contains polyphonic sections (e.g. a movement from Rheinberger - Cantus Missae). Mark one of the vocal parts. You will then be given a four-part excerpt (SATB) for sight-reading in the level of difficulty of, for example, Mendelssohn op. 69.

(preliminary)

• Three works from different stylistic 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 a piece of medium difficulty

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with 3 works of a total duration of at least 20-25 minutes from at least 2 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• a classical work (ca. 1760-1815) (e.g. a movement from a sonata by W.A. Mozart or Haydn, fantasy by C.P.E Bach etc.).
• a work from the Romantic period (ca. 1815-1860) (e.g. Lied ohne Worte by Mendelssohn, Ballade by Chopin etc.)
• Sight-reading

(preliminary)

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

• The program must include at least 4 epochs and be at least 25 minutes long.
• Playing from sheet music
• The playing time is approx. 10-15 minutes

The examination serves to determine the level of the requirements necessary for admission to professional studies. These are in particular: instrumental skills, stylistically appropriate interpretation, personal expressiveness. Examination program with works from at least 2 different stylistic areas (from which the commission selects music lasting approx. 15 minutes), including

• 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.

The sight-reading of a simple basso continuo is obligatory.

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

(preliminary)

• Snare drum: The mill and rolls in forte and piano, one medium-difficulty exercise or etude (e.g. from the Hochrainer snare drum school, Fink drum studies, Goldenberg drum school or Knauer snare drum school)
• Timpani: rolls in forte and piano, two exercises or etudes of medium difficulty (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
• Sight-reading rhythmic studies