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Composition

Unfortunately, the overview is only available in German so far. Please consider the panel "Auf einen Blick" here.

“All sounds can be music”

Experimental – traditional – future-oriented

The aim of HfM’s study programme in composition is that students mature into a rounded artistic personality and are able to find and assert their own positions on the contemporary artistic scene. Alongside communicating basic knowledge of a practical and theoretical nature (for example, how to analyse a work, composition techniques, electroacoustics) young composers discover their creative potential and develop this using the appropriate tools. In doing so, they establish close “internal” relationships and build a strong network with their fellow students in order to exchange ideas, develop perspectives and explore aesthetic backgrounds for their works.

They acquire basic knowledge of the traditional playing techniques of all instruments for their compositional craft. This serves as a basis for extending creative playing techniques. This knowledge is further developed and tested in works in dialogue with guests from the contemporary music scene.

There is a close cooperation with the Erich Thienhaus Institute. The students’ and teachers’ expertise in the field of audio and video production open up creative paths for compositions and options for the online documentation of works. In addition, there are links to the teaching of the Centre of Music and Film Informatics as well as to the Master’s degree programme in Audiovisual Arts Computing created in 2017.

Students also look at experimental and cross-genre formats, such as installation and intermedia art, performance art and music theatre. The techniques of Applied Composition and New Classical Music are also introduced. This allows students to explore the whole spectrum of compositional forms of expression. They learn to experiment, to forge their own path and to reflect on it in a critical and therefore more productive manner. In one-to-one tuition they are able to find ways of developing their own sound language.

The Master’s degree programme in composition allows students to deepen their existing knowledge and to put it to the test in multi-semester projects. They can choose three out of a range of subject areas, including composing for large ensembles, composition with scenic elements, sound installation, conceptual art, teaching composition and composition research. This allows them to specialise. According to their artistic development, students of composition can choose from a broad range of possibilities, enabling them to evolve their own artistic signature. Once they have chosen their path, they discover another learning objective – that of being able to communicate their concept of music to the musical public. For artistic work on their own compositions, young composers have access to the Earquake Ensemble, which specialises in performing contemporary music. In the course of the study programme, renowned guests pass on their knowledge in the form of lectures and workshops.

 

Unfortunately, official documents are only available in German so far. Please consider the panel "Studiengangsdokumente" here.

Winter semester

Bachelor/ Master: 15.02. - 15.03.

Summer semester

Bachelor/ Master: 01.10. - 01.11.

Please apply to the Detmold University of Music via the online platform muvac.

  • First of all, create your muvac candidate profile with as detailed information as possible.
  • Then select the degree program you are interested in amongst the vacancies directly in muvac under Institutions – Hochschule für Musik Detmold. It is important that you upload your complete application documents and your video for the pre-selection (if required for your degree program). Check beforehand that your video meets all the requirements.
  • A processing fee of 50.00 Euros will be charged for the application. Please note: a refund is not possible.

Important: Please check in your e-mails afterwards that you have received a confirmation e-mail. You will be informed about the status of your application via muvac.

The probable dates of the aptitude tests can be found here.

The following requirements must be met for the chosen study programme:

Preliminary
round
Composition portfolio: applicants must provide 3 of their own compositional works (PDFs and, if available, audio recordings) by the deadline. The year each piece was composed must be clearly identified. If possible, the compositions should be for a range of instrumentations or settings (e.g. chamber music, solo, electroacoustic, music theater, etc.).
Composition ColloquiumApplicants briefly introduces themselves and their work, positioning their work in the context of New Music today. The jury asks questions about works submitted in the portfolio as well as general aesthetic considerations. (Duration: 15 min.)
Score-reading skillsComposers will be shown 1-2 score examples and be asked to comment on them to demonstrate their knowledge of music literature, style, genre, instrumentation, etc. (Duration: 5 min.)

 

Requirements for main instrumentApplicants must perform three arias/songs/pieces from different epochs/styles/genres. One of the pieces must be from the 20th or 21st century. The performance should clearly demonstrate technical proficiency and precision alongside (stylistically appropriate) musical expressivity. When evaluating the applicant’s performance, the jury will take into account the applicant’s expected development during their studies.(Duration: 15 min.)
 

If necessary, a second instrument (if the main instrumental subject is piano)

 

Upon request, an audition for a second instrument may be conducted.

- Orchestral instruments: performance of two easier pieces from different musical periods. Level of difficulty at least “lower grade” (“Unterstufe” according to the definition in the teaching plan of the Verband deutscher Musikschulen).
- Compulsory subject voice: Two pieces (e.g. Lied, aria, unaccompanied song or an unaccompanied folksong) are to be performed from memory. One piece must be in the German language.

 

If the instrumental main subject is an orchestral instrument or voice, a performance of piano playing as a compulsory subject is necessary: 
Performance of two easy piano pieces from different musical periods, e.g. J. S. Bach: Kleine Präludien; classical sonatinas; Schumann: Album für die Jugend; Bartók: Microcosmos III/IV.

In a colloquium with the audition panel of up to 15 minutes, typical stylistic classifications of score pictures from different periods are to be made and sufficient prior knowledge of genres, styles, composers and musical literature from the Renaissance to the present is to be demonstrated. In the case of applicants for composition, the colloquium is primarily concerned with questions about the craft and aesthetics of contemporary musical works in particular.

Music theory
Demonstration of a command of "General Music Theory", basic knowledge of harmony. Written test of 60 minutes duration: notation, beat/rhythm, intervals, scales (incl. church modes), chord structure. Continuation of a given melody; elementary 2-part linear and 4-part homophonic song setting; (supplementary oral examination if necessary). Example

Aural Skills
Verification of aptitude and previous training. Written test lasting 60 minutes: Time signatures, adding rhythm to a series of notes, interval and chord dictation, simple 2 part composition, melodic memory task, tone variations in free-tonal sounds, recognising rhythmic and melodic errors, supplemented with an oral test lasting up to 15 minutes. Example

The Deutsche Tonkünstlerverband also offers preparatory courses in music theory and ear training for the aptitude test in Detmold.

The following requirements must be met for the chosen study programme:

RequirementsComposition portfolio: applicants must provide 5 of their own compositional works (PDFs and, if available, audio recordings) by the deadline. The year each piece was composed must be clearly identified. If possible, the compositions should be for a range of instrumentations or settings (e.g. chamber music, solo, electroacoustic, music theater, etc.).
Composition ColloquiumApplicants briefly introduces themselves and their work, positioning their work in the context of New Music today. The jury asks questions about works submitted in the portfolio as well as general aesthetic considerations. (Duration: 15 min.)
Score-reading skillsComposers will be shown 1-2 score examples and be asked to comment on them to demonstrate their knowledge of music literature, style, genre, instrumentation, etc. (Duration: 5 min.)

 

If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. Please visit us at our opening hours or write a mail to the following address:

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