Foto: Heiner Rennebaum
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart had music lessons at the age of four and Robert Schumann could already play the piano as a seven-year-old. Anyone wanting to become an outstanding performer has to start early.
It is the aim of the Robert Schumann School of Music and Media to foster gifted talents as early as possible. An education center has been established for just this purpose. It is called “Schumann junior” and caters to highly talented pupils between the ages of 10 and 17.
The School of Music and Media wants to turn young talents into artistic personalities. That is why the training is so diverse. Not only do pupils learn to play their own instrument—within the program they also take lessons in music theory and music history. What does the interval of a third sound like? What is the difference between 6/8 and 4/4 meter? During what musical period did Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart live? Anyone who wants to be a good musician has to know a great deal and be curious.
Performing music together is great fun. Young people in the “Schumann junior” program also perform at concerts held by the School of Music and Media. They learn to play in ensembles and to perform in front of an audience. Stage fright? A racing pulse? Each performance instills greater confidence. After all, accomplished artists cannot be pulled out of a hat.
Frequently asked questions about the program
Who is eligible to apply?
Pupils who already play an instrument and have exceptional musical talent and are attending a public school can apply for ”Schumann junior.”
What is the deadline for applications?
Information about deadlines and application forms
How do I apply? In addition to the completed application form, applicants must also submit a curriculum vitae and summary of their early music education. In addition, current verification of attendance at a school indicating the anticipated duration of study there and a notarized copy of the last report card for the academic year are required. A self-addressed, stamped envelope (DIN A5), two passport photographs and the program for the entrance exam must also be enclosed. Applicants whose native language is not German must document knowledge of German.
Who is accepted? Anybody interested in participating in the “Schumann junior” program must complete an entrance exam at the Robert Schumann School of Music and Media The exams are held once a year during the summer semester for admission for the following winter semester.
What happens during the entrance exam? The exam lasts approximately 30 minutes. It consists of a recital piece in the major you wish to study (for example piano, violin, guitar, voice, trumpet, oboe, clarinet, French horn, cello or harp) and an application interview. The applicant gives the exam jury a list of works which have been prepared at home. It should include demanding literature and a virtuoso etude as well as a slow movement. The jury selects what the applicant is to play from the list of works presented. The jury primarily assesses the artistic interpretation and technical ability. Anybody who does not pass the entrance exam can repeat it a second time.
How much is covered within the program? The program participant receives private instruction in his or her major instrument. It takes place after school and involves a total of 90 minutes each week (two academic (45-minute) lesson hours per week). In addition there are courses in ear training, rhythm and music theory, ensemble playing and improvisation. Apart from this, pupils regularly take part in concerts and recitals at the Musikhochschule.
When does the study program finish? The course of study at the education center ends with graduation from secondary school, for example with the Abitur (high school diploma). The Schumann junior student gives a final recital and receives a certificate from the Musikhochschule. This is normally followed by a full-time course of study at the Musikhochschule.
Important notice for prospective students
With immediate effect, each applicant for study at the Robert Schumann School of Music and Media must pay an entrance exam application fee of €30.00 for the particular course of study applied for.
When applying for multiple majors, an entrance exam application fee of €30.00 is charged for the first application and €10.00 for each subsequent application.
The entrance exam fee is waived for students who are already enrolled in one or more courses of study at the Robert Schumann School of Music and Media.
The fee becomes payable again if the entrance exam application process is repeated in the following academic year.
The fee payment is to be transferred to the bank accounts specified below only and a copy of the bank account statement or bank deposit receipt must be included as proof of payment when submitting your application documents. If no proof of payment is included, then the applicant cannot take part in the entrance exam.
No application fee refunds are made; this applies even if an application is withdrawn.
Please transfer the fee to the following account:
Beneficiary: Landeskasse Düsseldorf / RSH
Bank: WestLB Düsseldorf
Bank code: 300 500 00
Account number: 1393313
Reference: Entrance exam fee, APPLICANT NAME, DEGREE PROGRAM, and MAJOR
International money transfers/international codes:
Swift/BIC: WELADEDD
IBAN: DE47300500000001393313
Please note:
International reply coupons are not accepted at the Robert Schumann Hochschule Düsseldorf for payment of the entrance exam fee or postage! In addition, payments made to other bank accounts of the university are not accepted.
Please contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions regarding the entrance exam fee.
As of: June 7, 2010