Violoncello

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 video includes:

• 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.

Directly after the performance, you will start your video for the artistic presentation (without editing).

Artistic presentation

The presentation of your artistic program takes place directly after the introduction video (without editing!). You choose the program in your own order. The specified examination programme (without breaks/cuts) must be recorded in full length.

You have to take care of your 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 equipment is up to you, since it is in your own interest that sound and image quality are as representative as possible.

Examination programme:
(Etudes, solo works and concertos are to be performed from memory)

• one etude (from David Popper's Hohe Schule, L. Duport: 21 Etudes, F. Grützmacher II or an etude of comparable difficulty)
• first OR second and third movement from a concerto (e.g. by E. Lalo, C. Saint-Saens, S. Prokofiev, L. Boccherini, J. Haydn C major etc.)
• from J. S. Bach solo suites: Prelude or two movements of different character

Total playing time for the video: approx. 20 minutes (+ 2 minutes introduction video) without editing! Total playing time for the on-site audition: max. 10 minutes (a selection from the program will be made by the commission)

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.  Copies of the programme have to be presented to the commission.

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 entrance examination for the Master’s degree 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.

The condition for admission to the String Instruments Master’s degree is a completed Bachelor’s degree in a pertinent branch of study or an equivalent qualification from an Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational facility, as well as successfully passing all parts of the entrance examination.

To pass the entrance examination, a rating of “Passed” is required in all sections. Admission also depends on the specific availability of a course place. Being placed on the waiting list supposes a probability of future availability (i.e. by the end of the semester in question) of a course place.

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 video includes:

• 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.

Directly after the performance, you will start your 1^st video for the 1^st round of the artistic presentation (without editing).

Artistic presentation

The presentation of your artistic programme takes place directly after the introduction video (without editing!). You choose the program in your own order. The specified examination program (without breaks/cuts) must be recorded in full length.

You have to take care of your 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 equipment is up to you, since it is in your own interest that sound and image quality are as representative as possible.

Examination programme:
(Solo pieces and concertos are to be performed from memory)

• A baroque (solo) piece (one or more movements)
• A classical concerto for violoncello and orchestra (1st movement incl. cadenza)
• A concerto for violoncello and orchestra from the 19th/20th/21st century (excerpts are possible)
• One artistically demanding work of free choice from the 19th/20th/21st century (solo work, sonata, recital piece, etc., possible in excerpts)

Total playing time for the video: approx. 30 minutes (+ 2 minutes introduction video) without editing! Total playing time for the on-site audition: max. 10-15 minutes (the commission will make a selection from the program).

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.

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 video includes:

• 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.

Directly after the performance, you will start your 1^st video for the 1^st round of the artistic presentation (without editing).

Artistic presentation

The presentation of your artistic program takes place directly after the introduction video (without editing!). You choose the program in your own order. The specified examination programme (without breaks/cuts) must be recorded in full length.

You have to take care of your 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 equipment is up to you, since it is in your own interest that sound and image quality are as representative as possible.

Examination programme:

• performance of an étude
• performance piece of the candidate’s own choice 

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.