Historical Bassoon Instruments
Entrance exams for the start of studies in winter semester 2025/26
Application deadline: 26.01.2025
17.02.2025 and 18.02.2025
Concert hall (Singerstraße 26, 2nd floor, 1010 Vienna)
ONLY for IGP applicants: Educational practical part of exam incl. colloquium
30.04.2025
Clemens-Hellsberg-Saal (Johannesgasse 4a, 2.OG, 1010 Wien)
All parts of the admission test will take place on site in Vienna. Please make all organizational arrangements (flight reservations, visa, etc.) in time to be able to participate. You will receive the exact date by mail shortly after the registration deadline.
Programme for the entrance exam
Bachelor's Programme
Entrance exam in the central artistic subject (approx. 20 minutes):
- Performance of an artistic programme with at least two pieces of different styles and characters on the historic instrument. (For Historic Violoncello, performance of a mandatory piece, see below for info)
- Sight-reading
- Listening to and understanding (comprehension) of simple melody and chord sequences by singing in response / playing in response; completion of a melody on the relevant instrument
- Performance of simple cadenzas on the harpsichord
- Suitability interview based on the letter of motivation
Suggested literature for the entrance examination for Bachelor’s degrees at the level of difficulty of:
- D. Ortiz: Recercadas
- G. Frescobaldi: Canzonas
- J. B. de Boismortier: one sonata from op. 14 or op. 40
- J. D. Braun: Sonata I or V from Op. 6
Master's Programme
The entrance examination is used to check the candidate’s aptitude for the specific requirements of the Master’s degree, with particular consideration of their prior knowledge and skills in the practical field. The condition for admission onto the Master’s degree is a completed Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from an Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational facility, as well as successfully passing all parts of the entrance examination.
Fulfilment of the admission requirements in terms of quality are based on the requirements of graduating with a BA in the Early Music degree at the MUK. Admission with a degree qualification that is not relevant to the subject may be linked with the condition that academic achievements from the Bachelor’s degree have to be completed in addition to the Master’s curriculum (see §10 of the Study and Examination Regulation of the articles of association).
Entrance exam:
1) Performance from a representative technically demanding programme, from which the committee will select pieces lasting no more than 25 minutes
- At least 3 different styles
- At least 2 instruments
- 1 solo piece without accompaniment; for historical oboe instruments, violin and historical bassoon instruments: Prelude or cadenza in classic solo concerto or classic étude
- Uninterrupted continuo (only for lute and harpsichord)
2) Prima-vista play
3) Embellishment of a musical section (is provided 60 minutes before the exam)
4) Analysis of a piece from the exam programme, taking into consideration the aspect of historical performance practice.
Then subsequent viva based on the letter of motivation and the entrance examination.
Preparatory Course
Examination in the central artistic subject (approx. 15 minutes):
- Performance of an artistic programme with at least two pieces of different styles and characters of the candidate’s choice.
- Interview
- Examination of German proficiency for applicants who are non-native German speakers
Certificate of Performance
If you cannot join the exam on the given date, an individual exam date can be arranged.
The admission exam can be done directly on site in Vienna or by submitting respective application videos and serves to determine applicants’:
a) motivation for undertaking the programme of study
b) artistic proficiency (corresponding to Master’s level entry)
c) artistic and personal suitability
The admission process is split into three parts – applicants must be successful in Part 1 in order to progress to the next stage.
1. Submission of a short biography (including language skills), covering letter, repertoire list and an audition programme:
• Short biography: applicants should provide a written overview of the qualifications they have gained so far, their (language) skills, and the areas their activities have focused on.
• Covering letter: applicants should describe their personal expectations of the programme and what they are looking to get out of it. Applicants should also state their current artistic activities and skills and those they are aiming to acquire.
• Audition programme for Part 2: a programme for the artistic presentation that makes up Part 2 (corresponding to Master’s level entry).
2. Artistic presentation:
In the artistic presentation, applicants should demonstrate their instrumental proficiency and level of artistry. The programme should be put together by the applicant her/himself and should give as strong an impression as possible of her/his artistic qualifications. Instrumental proficiency should be at least that needed for Master’s level entry.
3. Colloquium:
Together with the applicant, a panel will discuss and reflect on the results of Parts 1 and 2 of the admission exam and examine the applicant’s individual and artistic potential as well as her/his personal goals and suitability for the programme.
Information required for all applicants
Schedule might be possibly altered even in the short term! Regarding that please look up this section of the website regularly. Thank you.
Applications for studying at the Music and Arts University of the City of Vienna can be submitted online at anytime; they will be reserved for the next admission period. Applications submitted after the application deadline can no longer be considered for the subsequent audition date.
The application for the entrance examination is done via the application mask in MUKonline. All necessary steps for the application for the entrance exam are listed here.