Historical and Contemporary Compositional Technique

• University entrance qualification
• Advanced musical ability in the programme subject which must be demonstrated in the audition exam
• Applicants without German university entry permission must provide evidence of their German language skills through:
  • Language certificate B 2.2 (GER) of the Goethe Institute, ÖSD, telc GmbH or TestDaF – Level 4, DSD II, DSH I or UNIcert II.
    Language certificates must be submitted during enrolment at the latest.
  • Technical German language skills in music will be assessed during the music theory examination.

For the pre-selection the platform muvac is used.

On muvac you can link PDF, PNG and JPG files as well as video and audio recordings from YouTube, Vimeo, Youku and Soundcloud on your profile.

Based on the linked files and audio/video recordings the pre-selection is made subsequent to the application period.

Please check that the recordings are available and accessable via the links provided (without password/no login function).

• No requirements.

• several own reworkings or arrangements of varying orchestration and compositional technique in written, fixed scores
• own compositional works

To be submitted with the application:

• several own reworkings or arrangements of varying orchestration and compositional technique in written, fixed scores
• the additional submission of own compositions is preferable

Oral-practical exam:

Practical piano playing:

• Cadences according to specifications (Roman numerals and/or German functions)
• Modulating on demand
• Realizing a short figured bass example
• Harmonizing a melody

Analysis:

• Short presentation (approx. 5 minutes) after 30 minutes of preparation

Ear training (oral):

• Sight-singing
• Rhythm
• Aural analysis

Interview with the Commission:

• About the submitted works, study motivations and goals

• Determining and notating triads and tetrads
• Realizing a short figured bass exercise and/or a harmonic progression according to Roman numerals and/or German functions
• Harmonizing a short chorale melody in the style of the 17th/18th century (cantional or choral style)
• Harmonic analysis of musical example (or excerpt)

• Notating a atonal series of intervals
• Determining triads and tetrads in various inversions and positions (including open position)
• Determining modes
• Rhythm dictation
• One-part memory dictation
• Two-part polyphonic dictation
• Harmonic dictation: notation of the outer voices as well as figured bass, Roman numerals or German functions

• one baroque solo work (e.g. three part Invention by J. S. Bach)
• one solo work of the First Viennese School (e.g. sonata first movement by Beethoven)
• one work of the 19th to the 21st century, can be an own composition or chamber music

• Applicants for undergraduate studies who have already studied at a RKM-recognizes German music school and are applying to transfer to HFM are exempt from taking the exams in piano, composition, and ear training if they are able to provide a matriculation certificate/certificate of enrolment.

• For winter semester: 8 April
• For summer semester: 8 November

• For winter semester: May/June
• For summer semester: January/February