How to Apply Music Schools in Germany

Germany is not only leading the world in industrial technology, but also famous for its music. As a famous music town, it has produced so many world-renowned music masters, such as the father of modern Western music – Bach, the saint of music – Beethoven, the poet of music – Schumann, Brahms, oratorio master – Handel, the master of musical theater – Wagner, the master of lyrical landscapes – Mendelssohn.-Handel, Wagner, and Mendelssohn…
The German nation’s love of music is especially reflected in the importance it attaches to music education. Music education has played an important role in German schools since the Reformer Martin Luther made the case for it.
Today, let’s introduce the information about German music schools to you.

27 Music Schools in Germany

Berlin University of the Arts
Hans Eisler College of Music, Berlin
University of the Arts Bremen
Lübeck Conservatory of Music
Hochschule für Musik in Fribourg (Hochschule für Musik in Fribourg)
Rostock Academy of Music and Drama
Karl.Von Weber Conservatory of MusicCarl von Weber College of Music in Dresden
Munich Academy of Music and Drama
University of Münster, Faculty of Music
Robert Schumann Academy of Music, DüsseldorfRobert Schumann Academy of Music, Düsseldorf
Hamburg Academy of Music and Drama
Frankfurt Academy of Music and Performance
Academy of Music and Dance, Cologne
Eisenfalkwangen University of the Arts
Mendelssohn Academy of Music and Drama, Neipzig
Liszt Academy of Music, Weimar
Karlsruhe Academy of Music
Academy of Music in Detmold
Academy of Music Mainz
Saarbrücken Conservatory of Music
Würzburg Conservatory of Music
Nuremberg Conservatory of Music
University of Augsburg – Mozart School of Music
Stuttgart Academy of Music and Performance
Trossingen Academy of Music
Mannheim Academy of Music and Arts

Example of a study program

The duration of an undergraduate course of study at a German conservatory is usually 8 semesters, which is a bit different from that of a normal German university. Today I will take the piano course at the Hanover Conservatory of Music and Drama as an example to introduce the study content and entrance examination requirements.
In addition to the piano performance major, the program also includes a solid education in all relevant supporting subjects, from music theory to musicology, music physiology and pedagogy to professional studies, as well as providing a wide variety of practice-oriented education on a wide range of keyboard instruments, with the main course content as follows:

Chamber Music Program
Song Accompaniment Course
Piano Duet Course
Early Music Program
Special Courses in New Music
International Masterclasses with Extended Programs

In addition, you can choose your favorite courses in the elective modules according to your personal interests. Courses such as Improvisation, Historical Keyboard Instruments, Conducting or Jazz.

Entrance Examinations

If you are applying for a Music School in Germany, you will receive an invitation to take an entrance examination in Germany after you have passed the initial screening. The entrance examination is divided into two rounds:

First round:

A complete piece from the Viennese classical period (Haydn to Schubert);
Performance of an Etude or a work by the corresponding performer
At the end of the first round, the participants who will advance to the second round will be announced. The second round will take place in the afternoon of the same day.

Second round:

One work or movement from the Baroque period (e.g. Bach, Handel, Scarlatti, Rameau, etc.);
Choose one or more additional works from the Romantic period up to the present day
There must be a sight-reading piece
Participants in the second round will also take a music theory/aural training exam.
Music Theory/Listening Training section:
Written listening training exam (approximately 1 hour):
Monophonic and diatonic rhythmic-melodic dictation, chord recognition, identifying and correcting rhythmic deviations, long tone dictation tasks, sound examples on CDs, short polyphonic dictation
Practical Music Theory Oral Examination (approximately 15 minutes):
The exam consists of reproducing and naming rhythms, intervals, melodies, and chords; describing a given musical text using the basic terms of general music theory (tonality, time signatures, harmony, structure, style, etc.); and completing a short set of basic notes based on instructions (e.g., successive basses or a sequence of chord symbols) – either in writing or on the piano.
The results of the exam will be announced within 10 days after the exam.

These are the steps to get into a German music school, are you clear? I hope you get into the school you are most interested in, see you soon!

Summary

Germany is renowned for its contributions to both industrial technology and music. It has produced many legendary composers, such as Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Handel, Wagner, and Mendelssohn. The nation’s passion for music is evident in its strong emphasis on music education, which has been integral to German schooling since Martin Luther’s advocacy.

For instance, the piano program at the Hanover Conservatory of Music includes courses in chamber music, song accompaniment, piano duets, early music, and special courses in new music, along with elective modules in improvisation, historical instruments, conducting, or jazz.

Entrance exams for programs like the piano course at Hanover Conservatory involve two rounds. The first round includes performing a classical piece and an etude, while the second round requires a baroque piece, a romantic or modern piece, sight-reading, and a music theory/aural training exam.

Q&A

Q: What are some of the famous German composers mentioned?

A: Famous German composers include Bach, Beethoven, Schumann, Brahms, Handel, Wagner, and Mendelssohn.

Q: How many public conservatories are there in Germany?

A: There are 27 public conservatories in Germany.

Q: What is the typical duration of an undergraduate music program at a German conservatory?

A: The typical duration is 8 semesters.

Q: What subjects are included in the piano program at Hanover Conservatory of Music?

A: The piano program includes chamber music, song accompaniment, piano duets, early music, special courses in new music, music theory, musicology, music physiology, pedagogy, and a variety of keyboard instruments.

Q: What are the components of the entrance examination for the piano course at Hanover Conservatory of Music?

A: The entrance examination includes two rounds. The first round requires a classical piece and an etude. The second round involves a baroque piece, a romantic or modern piece, sight-reading, and a music theory/aural training exam.

Q: What does the music theory/aural training exam include?

A: The music theory/aural training exam includes a written listening training exam with rhythmic-melodic dictation, chord recognition, and polyphonic dictation, as well as a practical music theory oral examination involving rhythms, intervals, melodies, chords, and describing musical texts.