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Application & Requirements Bachelor Vocals

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:

Video with a duration according to the program:

  • an aria
  • an art song

For applicants from the 5th semester:

Video with a duration according to the program:

  • two arias
  • an art song

For all applicants:

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:

Major Subject:

  • a folk song a-capella
  • two art songs
  • an aria

Program duration max. 15 minutes. The examination committee makes a selection from the prepared program.

Stage speaking:

  • Lecture (approx. 5 minutes) of a poem and a short speaking scene / monologue from the field of music theater or drama

Both texts are to be recited by heart

For applicants from the 5th semester:

Major subject:

  • 2 arias
  • 3 songs

Stage speaking:

  • a monologue / a speaking scene from the field of music theater or drama (duration: 2-4 minutes)
  • a poem

Both texts are to be recited by heart.

For all applicants:

Subsidiary subject piano:

Artistic presentation (5-10 minutes) of two pieces of different character, which are played technically confidently and interpreted musically, to show the applicant's development potential. The selection of the pieces is made by the applicant according to his individual performance level.

Music Theory/Aural Training:

Written test with music theory (approx. 30 min.) and ear training (approx. 30 min.) components to demonstrate the following skills: 

  • Basic knowledge of General Music Theory (keys, scales, intervals, triads, four-part chords and inversions), 
  • application of basic knowledge of general music theory and harmony (analyzing and writing simple endings and fundamentals of the basso continuo), 
  • aural grasp of intervals, scales, triads, four-part chords, inversions, melodies, rhythms, instruments.

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

Klausur Musiktheorie PDF
Klausur Gehörbildung PDF

 

We offer regular preparatory courses for the entrance exams.
Further information can be found here.

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:

Video with a duration according to the program:

  • an aria
  • an art song

For applicants from the 5th semester:

Video with a duration according to the program:

  • two arias
  • an art song

For all applicants:

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:

Major Subject:

  • a folk song a-capella
  • two art songs
  • an aria

Program duration max. 15 minutes. The examination committee makes a selection from the prepared program.

Stage speaking:

  • Recitation (approx. 5 minutes) of a poem and a short speaking scene / monologue from the field of music theater or drama

Both texts are to be recited by heart.

Subsidiary subject piano:

Artistic presentation (5-10 minutes) of two pieces of different character, which are played technically confidently and interpreted musically, to show the applicant's development potential. The selection of the pieces is made by the applicant according to his individual performance level.

Music Theory/Aural Training:

Written test with music theory (approx. 30 min.) and ear training (approx. 30 min.) components to demonstrate the following skills: 

  • Basic knowledge of General Music Theory (keys, scales, intervals, triads, four-part chords and inversions), 
  • application of basic knowledge of general music theory and harmony (analyzing and writing simple endings and fundamentals of the basso continuo), 
  • aural grasp of intervals, scales, triads, four-part chords, inversions, melodies, rhythms, instruments.

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

Klausur Musiktheorie PDF
Klausur Gehörbildung PDF

 

We offer regular preparatory courses for the entrance exams.
Further information can be found here.

Aptitude Interview:
An interview of circa 10 to 15 minutes regarding the motivation for studying music pedagogy. The participants should reflect their existing epxirience in pedagogical situations (mainly from a student perspective) and develop an idea about successful student-teacher relationships. Based on the applicatants own musical training, questions about the job profile are to be discussed.

 

Parallel study artistic-pedagogical

At the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden, our students have the unique opportunity to opt for a second bachelor's degree in KPA (artistic pedagogical training) in parallel to the artistic bachelor's degree in voice (parallel study). Here, starting in the 2nd year of study, additional pedagogical subjects and, above all, teaching practice, i.e. "supervised" teaching in small groups with subjects organized by the university under the guidance of professors of voice, are taken. So after four years, you have two degrees in your pocket! If you want to take KPA voice directly from the 1st semester, you can do that as well. Then you will have many of the courses together with the "artistic" students, but you will be evaluated according to specific criteria in the artistic exams.
If, during the course of study, one realizes that one would prefer to continue studying Bachelor Voice after all, in order to have more opportunities for artistic musical and scenic work, one can take a transitional exam and change the major to the artistic degree. Even then, you still have the option of completing both degrees after four years.

 

Should I apply?

If you would like to get a professional opinion about your artistic and singing potential before applying, we recommend that you take part in the informatorisches Vorsingen