Skip to main content

Application & Requirements Bachelor Orchestra Conducting

Entrance Examination

Admission Requirement:
University entrance qualification (equivalent to the „Abitur“ in Germany)

 

Language requirements:

For enrolment: Proof of German language skills according to level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The following language certificates are accepted:

  • TestDaF
  • TELC
  • Goethe certificate
  • UNI Cert
  • ÖSD certificate

In addition, language certificates according to the European Framework of Reference are also accepted by language schools that have recognized quality management certificates.
A list of recognized language schools can be found here
A list of recognized quality certificates for language courses can be found here

Students at the HfM Dresden who have received admission subject to proof of German language skills can take part in the language course offered at the HfM Dresden. Studies can only be continued in the second semester if the German exam at the HfM Dresden has been passed at the required level or, alternatively, a language certificate has been submitted according to the criteria listed above.

 

Video preselection:

A video file must be uploaded with the application documents. The video must be designed as follows:

  • A piano piece from the program to be prepared (5-10 minutes)
  • An opera scene accompanied on the piano with presentation of the singing parts (5-7 minutes)
  • A conducted piece from the program in frontal view - conducted to the piano (possibly orchestra, if available); The orchestra can either be conducted live or by two or, if necessary, one pianist - no conducting to the CD possible (10 minutes)

Please record the video from a fixed perspective (do not move the camera). You can use a smartphone or a professional camera to record. Please pay attention to a good sound. You can also record with microphones. You and your fellow players (if there are any) must be easy to see. Your hands in particular must be clearly visible (for piano and strings). At the beginning of the video, introduce yourself and say your program, looking at the camera. You have to speak German.

You can play each piece individually, and you can also cut between the pieces and the introduction. Please combine videos of different pieces into one video, if that is possible. Image and sound must be recorded at the same time, the use of a separate audio recording device is recommended.

On-site entrance exam:

If the submitted video was assessed as "passed", you will be invited to the entrance examination at the HfM Dresden. The entrance exam includes:

Main subject:
The entrance exam for the artistic focus on orchestral conducting consists of two parts, whereby participation in the second part of the examination can only take place with sufficient performance in the first part of the examination.

1st part of the exam:

  • 10-minute artistic presentation in conducting and on the piano (pieces can be selected by the applicant from the prepared repertoire)

2nd part of the exam:
20-30-minute artistic presentation that includes the following content:
Prepared conducting of the following works:

  • W.A. Mozart: Die Zauberflöte 2nd Finale (prepare completely, excerpts are selected)
  • CM. von Weber: Freischütz Overture
  • one of the following three pieces:
    • Stravinski "Histoire du Soldat", No. 1, Marche
    • Bartók, Concerto, 4th movement, Intermezzo interotto
    • Shostakovich, 9th Symphony, 1st movement
  • Presentation of a self-chosen opera scene on the piano with marking of the vocal parts
  • Demonstration of sight reading skills using different literature

Piano:
Artistic presentation (20-30 minutes) of works from three styles, some of which are played by heart, played safely at the existing level of performance and interpreted musically, and which reveal the applicant's development potential. The selection of the pieces is made by the applicant according to his individual level of performance.

 

Music Theory:

Oral examination of approx. 20 minutes to prove the following skills:

  •      Safe command of general music theory
  •      Auditory recording of intervals, triads, chords, melodies, rhythms
  •      Sight singing, tapping the rhythm from the sheet, cadence playing, figured bass, song harmonization
  •      Analysis of given music examples (formal, harmonic, contrapuntal, stylistic, instrumental)
  •      Melody and rhythm memory

The written test will take place each day at around 17:00. You can download sample exams here:

Klausur Musiktheorie PDF
Klausur Gehörbildung PDF