About the faculty of Music

Dean:         Univ.-Prof. Mag. Arno Steinwider
Vice Dean:  Univ.-Prof. Michael Posch

The Faculty of Music is made up of the following departments: Keyboard Instruments, Conducting and Composition, String Instruments, Wind and Percussion Instruments and Jazz and Early Music. Approximately 500 students from more than 50 countries are brought together in Vienna and create an open-minded and progressive atmosphere.

The fact that the departments and the Centre for Science and Research (ZWF) cooperate closely with each other means that the interpretation of art is interdisciplinary and in touch with the latest trends. As well as issues regarding traditions, new trends are also picked up on which can be researched and then further developed using art and music in the best sense.
Our courses allow students to reach their fullest potential in their main artistic subject, but they are also able to choose from a selection of specific modules depending on their individual interests and, in this way, can strengthen their personal artistic profile.
We give our students plenty of freedom to decide for themselves which topics they wish to specialise in. Similarly, interdisciplinary projects in the field of ensemble productions (orchestra, chamber music, improvisation in jazz ensembles/big bands/performance groups, collaboration with the compositional classes and conductors) are embedded in the University’s current research areas.

The programmes offered by MUK are based around current trends in music and art life and consider the current research conducted in that area so far, such as questions of historical performance practice or technical innovations in the field of (live) electronics. The result of this is close collaboration with renowned non-university institutions (The Wiener Musikverein, the Wiener Konzerthaus, Porgy & Bess jazz club, the Hofburgkapelle, etc.) as well as valuable cultural partners (The Vienna Philharmonic, the Wien Modern festival, the Resonanzen festival, etc.). Regular workshops and masterclasses are the icing on the cake to compliment the excellent courses offered by the University.

MUK lecturers in the Faculty of Music are reputable soloists, orchestra musicians, composers, conductors, chamber musicians and improvisers of various styles. Thanks to the University's international partnerships and connections, students regularly have the opportunity to take part in exchange projects and concert tours (for example, in USA, China, Russia, Holland, Erasmus, etc.). These are the best first steps to forging your own artistic path and joining our successful students and graduates who impress through competitions and auditions they have won, ensembles they have founded and artistic successes they have enjoyed on the stage.