chevron-leftchevron-right

Piano

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

At Detmold University of Music the piano is fundamental to musical education. Virtually all students have to demonstrate a basic knowledge of piano playing at the beginning of their study programme. In the major subject area of piano, prominence is given to training as a soloist, so that pianists learn to develop and hone their own artistic abilities. It is the aim of the study programme that every style should achieve a high level of stylistic sensibility and individual character. Students are also equipped with the necessary skills for their future freelance work. Along with building a repertoire, this includes a basic knowledge of music management. Besides training as a soloist, instrumental tuition, chamber music and Lied interpretation are other options for specialisation. One example of the quality of Detmold University of Music’s education and training is the exceptional number of concert and teaching grand pianos. Besides regular class evenings, at which the concert situation is rehearsed from start to finish, the ‘Pianissimo’ series undergirds and consolidates the piano training programme at Detmold University of Music.

Since 2017, Detmold University of Music has been holding its own piano competition in collaboration with the leading piano manufacturer, Julius Blüthner Pianofortefabrik, and the Alfred Reinhold Foundation. The Brahms Klavierwettbewerb Detmold is chiefly dedicated to the works of Johannes Brahms and is open to all students who are registered at a German, Austrian or Swiss music college on the date of the competition. This competition is attractive, not only for its prize money, but also for the considerable number of concert engagements which result for the winners. Over and above that, there is an opportunity to make a CD with the Erich Thienhaus Institute at Detmold University of Music.

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

Winter semester

Bachelor/ Master/ Concert exam: 15.02. - 15.03.

Summer semester

Bachelor/Master/Concert exam: 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

Video recording: Minimum duration 15 mins, with a representative selection of pieces from your repertoire.
You may perform single movements but they should be played in full.

Audition

 
  • Minimum 30 mins programme. At least three complete works from different musical periods,
    including a representative work from the Classical period.
  • A sight-reading test and a brief interview with the panel may be part of the audition.
 

The compulsory subjects for the Bachelor programme Freelance Musician are the following:

  • 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: Examination of giftedness and previous education. Written test of about 60 minutes duration: time signatures, recognition of a melody, rhythmisation of a tone sequence, interval and chord dictation, simple 2-part movement, melodic memory task, recognition of rhythmic and melodic errors.Example

To prepare for the aptitude test in the subjects music theory and ear training, you can use our newly developed tutorials and exercises:

1. Register for free on detmoldmusictools.de
2. Select the course 003 aptitude test at HfM Detmold or use the following link: https://detmoldmusictools.de/index.php?cmd=courseManager&mod=course&action=show&courseId=362

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

Preliminary round

Video recording: Minimum duration 20 mins, with a representative selection of pieces from your repertoire. You may perform single movements but they should be played in full.

Audition

 
  • Minimum 45 mins programme. At least three complete works from different musical periods, including a representative work from the Classical period.
  • A sight-reading test and a brief interview with the panel may be part of the audition.
 

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

Preliminary round

Video recording:
Minimum 20 mins of challenging repertoire, including at least one work for three or more performers. Single movements are allowed. The recording should not be older than one year.

Audition

Minimum 40 mins of challenging repertoire with your own chamber music partners. 2-3 works, including

  • A work from the Classical period
  • At least one work for three or more performers
  • A solo piano piece
A sight-reading test and a brief interview with the panel may be part of the audition

 

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

Preliminary round

Video recording:

  • 1 Song by Franz Schubert
  • 1 Song by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy, Johannes Brahms, Robert Schumann or Hugo Wolf
  • A French art song
 
Audition 
  • At least 20 minutes of Lied repertoire between the 18th century and present day;  to be performed with your own singer. Songs from the video recording may be repeated.
  • A song with a singer provided by the HfM Detmold, without prior rehearsal. The piece will be announced in due time before the audition
  • A sight-reading test and a brief interview with the panel maybe part of the audition.
 

 

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

Preliminary round

Video recording: 
Minimum 15 mins with a representative selection of pieces from your repertoire. You may perform single movements but they should be played in full.

Audition 
  • Minimum 30 mins programme. At least three complete works from different musical periods, including a representative work from the Classical period.
  • A sight-reading test and a brief interview with the panel may be part of the audition.
 

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

  • successful completion of a Bachelor’s or Master's degree in artistic instrumental studies or singing or an equivalent diploma
  • successful completion of the aptitude test
  • evidence of health insurance
  • evidence of payment of the semester fee
Preliminary round

A video programme of minimum 30 minutes should be sent in advance for a pre-selection of applicants.

Audition

The 1st audition round consists of an artistic presentation by the applicant or the string quartet or piano trio in front of an expert commission. For this presentation, the expert commission selects circa 20 minutes from the 60-minute programme proposal. The expert commission decides on whether the applicant proceeds to the 2nd round.
The 2nd audition round consists of an artistic presentation by the applicant or the string quartet or piano trio in front of a large, interdisciplinary commission. For this presentation, the commission selects circa 20 minutes from the 60-minute programme proposal.
If an applicant is admitted to the audition according to § 2 Para. 2, the large, interdisciplinary commission may conduct a colloquium, the form and content of which are to be determined by the commission.
In the subject Piano (Lied interpretation), the applicant brings his/her own singing partner to the audition.

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

contact