Frequently asked questions about the Young Academy
The Young Academy of the HfMDK Frankfurt is a certificate programme that offers an exclusive and comprehensive pre-college programme especially for young, highly talented musicians. The focus of the holistically designed support is the support of the artistic personality development.
The Young Academy is aimed at young, musically highly talented musicians between the ages of 14 and 18. In exceptional cases, younger applicants may also be accepted.
Requirements for admission to the Young Academy of the HfMDK Frankfurt are:
- successful participation in an aptitude test in which exceptional musical talent, high technical ability and the will for artistic expression are evident.
- attendance of a general education school in Germany
- The language of instruction is German.
Main artistic subjects offered at the Young Academy:
- all instruments taught at the Hochschule für Musik und Darstellende Kunst in Department 1
- Singing
The curriculum consists of:
- artistic instrumental main subject/ artistic main subject singing: 1,5 SWS
- Correpetition: 1,0 SWS Chamber music: 0,5 SWS
- New Music: 0,5 SWS
- Music theory/ear training: 1.5 SWS
- Piano as a minor subject (optional): 0.5 SWS E
- rlementary courses: 0.5 SWS (e.g. physical training & movement theory / mental program / excursions / professional field orientation / mediation & concert pedagogy / early music)
(SWS = semester hour per week)
The subject Music Theory/Hearing Education is taught in different groups depending on the level of proficiency by the renowned music theorist, composer, conductor and pedagogue Prof. Gerhard Müller-Hornbach, who teaches as Professor for Composition and Music Theory at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt am Main. His special teaching concept is based on a close interlocking of the "theoretical subjects" with instrumental practice. For many years he has been repeatedly involved in projects to teach contemporary music to children and young people ("Response - Neue Musik in der Schule" in Hesse, Thuringia and Bremen, "Musik erfinden in der Schule" in Dresden, "Moveatschool" Staatstheater Wiesbaden, projects with the "Jugendensemble für Neue Musik Rheinland-Pfalz" etc.).
The young students regularly present themselves in internal and public recital evenings.
An annual feedback meeting takes place between the young students, their main subject teachers and the Young Academy management.
The certificate program concludes with a final examination upon completion of general education. Upon successful completion, a certificate is issued that includes all coursework completed and the final exams.
The next aptitude tests for the winter semester 2020/2021 for applicants with the subjects flute, percussion, trombone, guitar, double bass, harp, bassoon and oboe will take place between 17.07.2020 and 25.07.2020.
The qualifying examinations for applicants with the subjects piano, violin, viola, violoncello, horn, trumpet, clarinet will take place between 31.08.2020 and 12.09.2020.
Applications must be submitted from 1 February to 1 April of the current year for the following winter semester via the online application form. The application must be accompanied by:
- curriculum vitae in tabular form with a passport photograph
- Proof of attendance at a general education school with details of the duration of school attendance still anticipated
- Proof of payment of the application fee in the amount of 50,00€ (bank statement or cash deposit)
The aptitude tests take place within the framework of the regular aptitude tests for Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes in June.
The aptitude test consists of:
- the artistic performance in the main subject (approx. 15 min.) from a prepared programme
- a placement test in music theory/aural training
- an interview with the applicant (approx. 10-15 min.)
Please note the detailed information on the requirements of the aptitude test.
After the aptitude test there will be a counselling interview by the management of the Young Academy Frankfurt and the possible main subject teacher with the applicant and the parents. Admission is granted after the aptitude test has been passed, taking into account the available teaching capacities within the HfMDK Frankfurt.
The intended duration of the Young Academy certificate program averages three years. As a rule, the certificate study ends after the completion of school. An extension of the certificate study until the completion of the 20th year of life (in the artistic main subject singing) can be made possible in exceptional cases after consultation with the respective main subject teacher and the management of the Young Academy.
Classes take place at the University of Music and Performing Arts in Frankfurt am Main.
The young students attend the lessons in music theory and aural training as well as the supplementary offers in blocks on Saturdays, so that the compatibility with school attendance is guaranteed.
At the Young Academy of the HfMDK Frankfurt there are currently about 20 young students.
The fees for the Young Academy of the HfMDK Frankfurt are 500 Euro per semester.
Credit institution: Helaba
IBAN: DE55 5005 0000 0001 0064 51
SWIFT-BIC: HELADEFFXXX
Reason for payment: Name, first name, semester fee Young Academy