Eligibility and admission requirements

The CAS courses in Choral Conducting are aimed at certified musicians.

The requirements for admission to the programme are as follows:

  • Successful completion of a university degree in music or an equivalent qualification
  • Previous professional experience
  • Positive outcome to the admission interview/assesment

Special admission (“sur dossier”) is also possible in justified cases. The Head of Programme and the Head of Continuing Education Music decide on admission.

    Admission procedure

    • Admission interview and suitability check with the Head of studies and the Head of continuing education in music to clarify suitability, motivation and organization. The personal learning goals and the study plan for the CAS year are defined and recorded in an agreement. 

      The interview takes place by individual arrangement on site at the Toni-Areal or digitally.

    • The admission procedure for direct entry into the CAS Choral Conucting advanced is comprised of two parts:
      Part A Video recording: Applicants conduct a piece of music of their choice
      Part B Assessment: Music practice/interview

      Part A
      Conduct a self-chosen piece of music (audition/concert)
      Applicants must submit a video recording of a self-conducted piece of music (concert or audition) of their choice (duration approx. 10 minutes) by 31 May. 
      If they do not have a recording with a choir, they may also submit a choral piece with piano accompaniment or conduct to an existing sound recording if necessary.
      The video recording must be submitted to the following address: (www.wetransfer.com) by wetransfer by 31 May: E-mail

      Part B
      Music practice
      The assessment takes place by individual arrangement. The date will be arranged and communicated via the Centre for Continuing Education Office.

      • Voice
        • Performance of an accompanied art song in German
        • Short prima vista parts
      • Piano
        • Presentation of a short piano piece at the difficulty level of a three-voice Bach invention or a movement from a Mozart sonata.
        • Score-playing/prima-vista-playing of a classical choral score on four systems (SATB)
      • Conducting
        • Conducting a self-selected four-part motet
        • Movement and conducting exercises prima vista

      Interview
      Each student discusses their personal learning objectives and study plan for the CAS year in an individual interview with the Head of Programme.

    Transfers and admissions

    • If a student intends to undertake further study after completing an initial “CAS Choral Conducting (Basic)”, they undergo a transfer interview with the Head of Continuing Education Music in mid-May or at the beginning of December to clarify their further study perspectives and core subjects. Further study is possible with the consent of the lecturer teaching the major.

    • Transfer to a CAS at a higher level requires the approval of the main subject lecturer and the Director of Studies. If necessary, a practical competence check will be carried out.

    • Admission to the "Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) in Music Practice" is decided by the major subject lecturer, the Director of Studies and the Head of Continuing Education in Music. 

    • Admission to the "Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Music Practice" is decided by the major subject lecturer, the Director of Studies and the Head of Continuing Education in Music.