Saxophone

The entrance examination is done by sending in application videos. Important information for a correct recording of your application video can be found here.

The application videos include:

• Introduction video + artistic presentation
   

Introduction video

The introduction video takes max. 2 minutes, the language is either German or English.

In this introduction video, please include your personal information (name, etc.), important stages of your education to date, important artistic achievements, your motivation for studying, why you would like to study at MUK and, if applicable, your teacher wishes.

Artistic presentation

To evaluate artistic qualification, the presentation of an artistic program by the use of one (or more) meaningful video(s) must be submitted:

To be performed:

• 2-3 works of your own choice; (the requirements will be measured individually according to the age and preliminary studies of the candidates)

The performance of works on secondary instruments is possible, but not obligatory.

Students are responsible for their own accompaniment.

A submission without accompaniment is possible, but it is recommended to play those works with piano that include a piano part (or piano score).

The choice of technical means is left to the applicants, as it is in their own interest that the sound and image quality is as meaningful as possible.

You will be informed personally via e-mail about the result of your video application.

On-site audit (for selected applicants)

After viewing the video applications, selected applicants will be invited to an additional on-site audit at MUK.

Contents of the on-site audit:

• Excerpts from the examination program will be selected on site by the commission.
• Interview about study motivation
• Optional tasks such as sight-reading, sight-singing, repetition of a given melody, intonation exercises, improvisation

Candiates have to bring instruments and scores to the entrance examination. The performance of works on secondary instruments is possible, but not obligatory. Accompaniment will be provided.

Note: Another examination of the musical ear and of music theory knowledge will take place at the start of the first semester as part of a classification in the Aural Training and Composition courses only for those candidates who have been admitted to the course.

The condition for admission to the Master’s degree is a completed Bachelor’s degree in the relevant branch of study or an equivalent qualification from a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational facility, evidence of adequate German proficiency in non-native applicants, successfully passing the entrance examination and there being a place available on the course.

To ensure an equal footing, admission to the course can be linked with the condition that specific courses beyond the syllabus of the Master’s degree must be completed or that written essays must be submitted.

The entrance examination is done by sending in application videos. Important information for a correct recording of your application video can be found here.

The application videos include:

• Introduction video + artistic presentation
   

Introduction video

The introduction video takes max. 2 minutes, the language is either German or English.

In this introduction video, please include your personal information (name, etc.), important stages of your education to date, important artistic achievements, your motivation for studying, why you would like to study at MUK and, if applicable, your teacher wishes.

Artistic presentation

To evaluate artistic qualification, the presentation of an artistic program by the use of one (or more) meaningful video(s) must be submitted:
To be performed:

• at least 3 pieces from different stylistic periods (min. 30 minutes playing time)

Instead of the 3rd piece, 5 orchestral parts or 1 chamber music piece can also be presented. Variant instruments are possible. Mandatory for saxophone: alto saxophone and at least 1 variant instrument.

The performance of pieces on secondary instruments is possible, but not obligatory.

Students are responsible for their own accompaniment.

A submission without accompaniment is possible, but it is recommended to play those works with piano that include a piano part (or piano score).
The choice of technical means is left to the applicants, as it is in their own interest that the sound and image quality is as meaningful as possible.

You will be informed personally via e-mail about the result of your video application.

On-site audit (for selected applicants)

After viewing the video applications, selected applicants will be invited to an additional on-site audit at MUK.

Contents of the on-site audit:

• Excerpts from the examination program will be selected on site by the commission.
• Interview about study motivation
• Optional tasks such as sight-reading, improvisation.

Candiates have to bring instruments and scores to the entrance examination. Accompaniment will be provided.

The entrance examination serves to check the following

a) the motivation to study
b) the educational, artistic and personal competence of the candidates.

The entrance examination is divided into four parts; the positive assessment of the first and second parts is a prerequisite for admission to the further parts of the examination.
 

1. Online Application

The following documents must be included in the online application:

• A short biography with an overview of the qualifications, competences and main areas of activity acquired so far.
• Letter of motivation with details of personal expectations and objectives
• Programme (prepared pieces) for the artistic examination part (= part 2)
• Programme (prepared pieces) for the pedagogical-practical examination part (= part 3)

More information on the online application can be found here.

2. Artistic part of the examination

ATTENTION: The programme to be prepared as well as the examination process (video or on-site audition) are identical to the requirements of the respective artistic bachelor’s programme. Please inform yourself on the respective page for the corresponding programme requirements.

Another examination of the musical ear and of music theory knowledge will take place at the start of the first semester as part of a classification in the Aural Training and Composition courses only for those candidates who have been admitted to the course.
 

3. Educational-practical part of the examination

Applicants must demonstrate their educational-practical abilities and potential by showing their practical piano and vocal skills in a presentation:

a) Singing and chordal accompaniment

Singing and simultaneous chordal accompaniment (with lead sheets) at the piano. Applicants are given five songs from the field of popular music to prepare (see here)

b) Accompaniment at the piano

Applicants prepare the accompaniment of three pieces (or single movements) which they may choose from the beginner and intermediate literature for their own instrumental or vocal musical subject (in the piano, organ, accordion, guitar, harpsichord and historical keyboard instrument subjects, accompanying three pieces or single movements of their own choice from the beginner and intermediate literature for an orchestral instrument of their own choice).

Practice-oriented simplifications of the accompaniment parts are permissible, if not desirable. Applicants are required to name the pieces when they submit their musical programme at the time of registration. They must submit four copies of the scores to the Examination Panel at the examination.

c) Sight-Singing

Singing a simple song in German.

4. Colloquium

For testing cognitive and linguistic skills.

The panel will discuss and reflect with the applicants on the results of the previous parts of the examination and will examine their individual educational potential as well as their objectives and suitability for the course.

Sample questions for the colloquium are available here.
 

Proficiency in German:
Applicants whose native language is not German also have to prove their proficiency in German. They need to prove that they have at least level B2 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, at the latest upon enrolment.

The entrance examination is done by sending in application videos. Important information for a correct recording of your application video can be found here.
 

The application videos include:

• Introduction video + artistic presentation

Introduction video

The introduction video takes max. 2 minutes, the language is either German or English.

In this introduction video, please include your personal information (name, etc.), important stages of your education to date, important artistic achievements, your motivation for studying, why you would like to study at MUK and, if applicable, your teacher wishes.

Artistic presentation

To evaluate artistic qualification, the presentation of an artistic program by the use of one (or more) meaningful video(s) must be submitted:

To be performed:

• 2-3 works of your own choice; (the requirements will be measured individually according to the age and preliminary studies of the candidates)

The performance of works on secondary instruments is possible, but not obligatory.

Students are responsible for their own accompaniment.

A submission without accompaniment is possible, but it is recommended to play those works with piano that include a piano part (or piano score).

The choice of technical means is left to the applicants, as it is in their own interest that the sound and image quality is as meaningful as possible.

You will be informed personally via e-mail about the result of your video application.

On-site audit (for selected applicants)

After viewing the video applications, selected applicants will be invited to an additional on-site audit at MUK.

Contents of the on-site audit:

• Excerpts from the examination program will be selected on site by the commission.
• Interview about study motivation