Entrance examinations for ensemble conducting

You can choose to take the audition at the master's level of the Academy. You must choose either a) ensemble conducting or b) choral conducting.

The entrance examination consists of a three-part test in the principal study:

1. principal study

a) At the entrance examination in ensemble counducting, a seconda vista rehearsal assignment is performed with the assigned ensemble, e.g. string quartet, wind quintet or brass quintet. The assignment is e-mailed to the applicant 7 days before the entrance examination takes place.

b) At the entrance examination in choir conducting, the applicant works with two choir pieces. One of the pieces is known by the choir. The applicant must conduct this piece all the way through once without stopping, correcting or commenting. The other piece is a rehearsal assignment, where the choir has some knowledge of the piece. The applicant must conduct a rehearsal with the choir at a more advanced rehearsal stage than learning the sheet music. The applicant chooses the order of the two pieces at the entrance examination. The assignments are e-mailed to the applicant four weeks before the entrance examination takes place.

At the entrance examination in choir conducting, the applicant must sing a song of his/her own choice without accompaniment (max. 3 minutes), which must demonstrate the applicant’s ability to use his/her voice as during choral instruction.

Both tests are supplemented with a short interview which may be based on the entrance examination.

The duration of the entrance examination is 30 minutes (45 minutes including assessment).

The entrance examination is assessed by two internal censors and a grade is awarded according to the 7-point grading scale.

2. PIANO

The test consists of two parts:

  • a classic piece of your choice is performed (maximum 10 minutes)
  • prima vista (difficulty such as Sarastro's aria "In diesen heil'gen Halle" from Mozart's opera "The Magic Flute")

The duration of the entrance examination is 30 minutes including assessment.

The entrance examination in piano is assessed passed / failed.

The entrance examination is assessed by the principal study teacher and an internal subject censor.

3. Aural training

Rhythm

A rhythm task that can contain polyrhythmic as well as odd and alternating time signatures. The rhythm task is unanimous and is performed with an accompanying tempo.

Melody

A melodic task, which can be a romantic song with accompaniment or an unaccompanied free tonal/atonal voice from a choir piece. The melody is sung, preferably with lyrics. If it is an accompanied song, the accompaniment is played by the subject censor.

Chord hearing

Functional harmonic analysis of a presented homophone movement.

Score play

  • For ensemble conductors: Performance on piano of a melody noted in alto or tenor key
  • For ensemble conductors: Performance on piano of a melody noted in B or A tuning
  • For choir conductors: Performance on piano of the single choral movement
     

30 minutes of preparation are given. The duration of the entrance examination is 15 minutes including assessment.

The entrance examination in piano is assessed passed / failed.

The entrance examination is assessed by the principal study teacher and an internal subject censor.

SUPPLEMENTARY REQUIREMENTS

The applicants must also document training in elementary conducting technique at a level similar to that of a music academy. The course may be part of the curriculum in your previous education. As documentation of elementary conducting techniques, applicants are asked to attach a video recording of the applicant while working conducting an ensemble, an orchestra or a choir.

The entrance examination consists of an audition in the principal study.

Repertoire requirements for the audition recording:

Duration: 10-25 minutes

  • A video recording of you conducting an ensemble of at least five musicians - preferably an orchestra. The recording must be of a previously prepared piece of a 5-10 minutes duration without interruptions - preferably from a concert. The conductor must be seen from the front.
  • A video recording from a rehearsal with an ensemble of at least five musicians - preferably an orchestra. The recording must be of you working with and instructing the ensemble. The recording must be of duration of at least 5 minutes. If at all possible, the rehearsal should be held in English. If it is not possible, your online interview (part of the language requirements) will be a longer interview, where you will have the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to participate actively in a conversation on a level sufficient to instruct an ensemble. 

Requirements for the audition recording

  • The audition recording must be unedited except between performances (i.e. between pieces), and the audition must be recorded within six months of submitting your application.
  • Check that the recording submitted is accessible and that all recordings have been submitted successfully.
  • Accepted formats: mp4, mp3, webm and mpeg.
  • The maximum size of a file that can be submitted in the online application is 1GB. Therefore, it might be necessary to divide your audition recording into individual pieces (please remember not to edit within a piece of music).  

For extra guidelines on video recording, please watch our video. If YouTube is not available in your country, the video can also be accessed here.