Requirements for the Artistic Music Production master’s program.

The following requirements apply for the Artistic Music Production program:


I. Major: Classical Acoustic Music Production

1. The following must be submitted in advance:

• A portfolio with excerpts (complete movements) from four to six previously completed works involving different scoring and stylistic periods (chamber music and orchestra) in the area of Classical Acoustic Music Production: A USB stick recording of four to six tracks (stereo and/or 5.1 Surround) having a total duration of 30 to 45 minutes.
• A short essay related to the candidate’s motivation and the major Classical Acoustic Music Production.
• A CV with grade transcripts (and any internships or certificates from competitions, etc.).

These required documents must be submitted upon registering for the proficiency test.

2. Audition performance on an instrument/voice (max. 20 minutes in duration). Three works from different style periods must be prepared.

3. An unprepared practical task within Classical Acoustic Music Production, such as mixing or editing. The maximum amount of time available for this is based on the task set (generally one to two hours).

4. Written examinations as well as testing of musical and technical aural skills:

Musical aural skills (approximately 40 minutes): Written tests with dictations (from the piano or recordings), assessing intonation, detecting wrong notes, a brief hearing analysis, hearing instrumentation.
Technical hearing ability (approximately 20 minutes): Written test involving listening examples (such as technical artifacts, dynamic level hearing, hearing formants, etc.).
5. Specialist interview with the examination board (up to 30 minutes).


II. Major: Jazz/Pop Music Production:

1. The following must be submitted in advance:

• A portfolio with four to six completed works (or selections from them) of different styles from jazz/pop music productions: A recording of four to six tracks (stereo and/or 5.1 Surround) stored on a USB stick having a total duration of 15 to 20 minutes. The recording must be compatible with commercially available CD/DVD players.
• A brief essay outlining the candidate’s motives for enrolling in the Jazz/Popular Music Production program.
• A CV with grade transcripts (and any internships or certificates from competitions, etc.).

These required documents must be submitted upon registering for the proficiency test.

2. Artistic audition on an instrument/voice (max. 20 minutes in duration).
It is expected that prepared pieces will be named at the time of making the application for admission. In the case of prepared pieces, in each case 6 copies of the sheet music or lead sheets must be brought to the exam.
Specifically, the following requirements apply:

For electric bass, jazz/electric guitar, jazz flute, jazz clarinet, jazz string bass, jazz trombone, jazz saxophone, jazz trumpet:

• Presentation of up to three jazz or pop music pieces with improvisations. Compositions by the candidate are also acceptable. Tempi and style should vary (example: Jazz ballads, up-time, R&B, jazz waltz, funk, rock, Latin, etc.).
• Presentation of a prepared solo transcription.
• Sightreading.

Jazz/pop singing

• Performing up to three pieces from jazz or pop music with vocal improvisation or ad lib passages. The candidate’s own compositions are also acceptable. Tempi and style should vary (example: Jazz ballads, up-time, R&B, jazz waltz, funk, rock, Latin, etc.).
• A short a cappella piece.
• Vocal sightreading.

Keyboard/jazz piano:

• Performance of up to three jazz or pop music pieces with improvisations. The candidate’s own compositions are also acceptable. Tempi and style should vary (example: Jazz ballads, up-time, R&B, jazz waltz, funk, rock, Latin, etc.). Alternatively: presentation of up to three pieces with improvisation and utilizing electronic instruments such as keyboards, synthesizers, DAWs (e.g., Ableton Live) with a clearly recognizable proportion of the candidate’s own technical input and playing as well as  recognizable sound design by the candidate.
• Presentation of a prepared solo transcription.
• Sightreading.

3. An unprepared practical task within Jazz/Pop Music Production, such as mixing or editing. The maximum amount of time available for this is based on the task set (generally one to two hours).

4. Written examinations as well as testing of musical and technical aural skills:

• Musical aural skills (approximately 40 minutes): Written tests with dictations (from the piano or recordings), assessing intonation, detecting wrong notes, a brief hearing analysis, hearing instrumentation.
• Technical hearing ability (approximately 20 minutes): Written test involving listening examples (such as technical artifacts, dynamic level hearing, hearing formants, etc.).

5. Specialist interview with the examination board (up to 30 minutes).

Contact:
Major: Classical Acoustic Music Production: Prof. Dagmar Birwe
Major: Jazz/Pop Music Production: Prof. Dieter Falk, Prof. Jens Dresen