The exam consists of 6 parts and takes part at the ZHdK.
A. Specific part choir conducting
-
Singing
- Presentation of an accompanied art song or an aria in German
- simple prima vista singing
- Prima vista recitation of a short German text
-
Piano
- Selection of prepared works from two epochs (minimum requirements: Bach: 2- or 3-part inventions, Schumann: โAlbum fรผr die Jugendโ, Bartok: โMikrokosmosโ Vol. 4)
- Score play: prima vista play of simple choral movements (two to four systems)
-
Conducting
- Starting and conducting a short, self-chosen choral movement (level of difficulty Anton
- Bruckner โLocus isteโ or Fanny Hensel โAbendlich schon rauscht der Waldโ); bring 4 copies of the notes)
- Simple movement and conducting exercises prima vista
- Presentation of a rhythm prima vista
-
Choir rehearsal
- 15-minute rehearsal with the Kantorei ZHdK. The piece will be sent in advance.
B. Colloquium
Description of a choral score (short preparation), questions about career choice
C. Specific part organ (duration approx. 20 minutes)
Programme with prepared repertoire pieces from different epochs (approx. 20 minutes), one piece from more recent times. The Commission listens to a selection. Works of at least medium difficulty are expected. In addition to the repertoire pieces, short improvisation on demand based on a given topic (chorale melody, Bible verse).
D. General aptitude interview
In the dialogue between the candidate and the commission, questions about previous education, personal goals and professional intentions and the organization of the course are discussed. The questions refer to the letter of motivation submitted with the application. The interview also serves to determine language skills.
Examination panel
The panel comprises lecturers from the relevant major and representatives from the Department Committee.
E. Written music theory (independently on the computer)
Duration: 2 hours
Content of the exam:
- Recognize intervals (all intervals up to the octave, as a consonance)
- Recognizing triads (tonal triads, in all positions, set in four voices)
- Melody dictation (upper voice and bass voice)
- Rhythm dictation
- Listening analysis: description of short music excerpts from the 15thโ21st century
- Score analysis: description of short score excerpts from the 15thโ21st century
- Composition: Four-part release of a bass (only triads in initial positions, suspensions on the dominant)
- Harmonic analysis of a four-part movement (only triads, in all positions, suspensions on the dominant)
โ You can find an example test here
F. Integrated aptitude test
Duration 40 minutes in groups of 3 candidates each
Content of the examination:
- Group improvisation
- The group improvisation exam consists of a series of continuous solo and duo
improvisations and is concluded with a trio improvisation. - Assessment criteria are: communication skills, empathy, spontaneity, imagination,
rhythmic security, reliable hearing, instrumental implementation - Duration: approx. 5 minutes. Stylistically, this โrelayโ is unbounded, open.
- Theoretical craft
- At the piano: A simple bass voice in a major or minor key with up to three accidentals is given. The left hand plays this bass voice and the right hand complements the associated triads.
- Rhythm prima vista: A rhythm pronounced in a binary (3/4, 4/4, etc.) or ternary (6/8, 9/8, etc.) time signature on any syllable. To do this, the pulse is beaten.
- Melody prima vista: unaccompanied singing of a) a free tonal and b) a tonal melody
- Singing a chorale part (women: alto, men: tenor or bass), the other three parts are played on the piano by the expert
โ You can find more information about the required theory skills here.
Examination panel for part E and F
The panel comprises ZHdK lecturers in music theory.