Piano entrance exam

The application period for the summer semester 2025 begins on 01.12.24 and ends on 10.01.25 (only applies to the postgraduate course Konzertexamen). For the winter semester 2025/26, the application period begins on 15.02.25 and ends on 01.04.25

For a successful application to the Instrumental Music Piano program, the following steps are required within the application deadline:

• Receipt of online application incl. upload of supporting documents
• Receipt of application fee (payment information at the end of the completed online application)
• Upload video (for Bachelor and Master)

Your application will only be considered if all the steps described have been completed within the application deadline and the online application, application fee and video have been received.

Attention:
The entrance examination for concert exams takes place exclusively in presence.

We look forward to receiving your application.

After the application deadline, a pre-selection will be made from the applications received on the basis of the videos and this selection will be invited to a 2nd selection round (probably on site).

Below you will find further information on the requirements for the entrance exam.

For the video recording exam, the following works must be recorded and uploaded as a video within the application deadline:

• classical sonata, 1st movement
• etude

At the beginning of the video, please hold a clearly visible piece of paper with your name and repertoire for round 1 in front of the camera or show your prepared pieces as text.

Technical instructions for the video recording:

• currently recorded
• unedited
• Pieces are played without repetitions
• cuts between the pieces are allowed (one take not necessary)
• fixed camera perspective: body and face must be fully visible at all times
• good video and audio quality

Please name your video according to the following example: "Name.Firstname.Degree.mp4"

The 2nd round of the entrance examination is expected to take place on 03.06.2025 as an on-site examination at the university. You will be informed of the binding date in the invitation after the pre-selection from the 1st round of the video screening

The following works must be prepared:

• remaining movements of the classical sonata (at the request of the commission, the 1st movement may also have to be played again)
• 2 further challenging piano works from 2 other stylistic periods

Attention:
The etude from the video recording examination may not be played again

To help you prepare for the exams in the subsidiary subjects of general music theory and aural training, we offer you some sample exams.

After the application deadline, a pre-selection will be made from the applications received on the basis of the videos and this selection will be invited to a 2nd selection round (probably on site).

Below you will find further information on the requirements for the entrance exam.

For the video recording exam, the following works must be recorded and uploaded as a video within the application deadline:

• classical sonata, 1st movement
• etude

At the beginning of the video, please hold a clearly visible piece of paper with your name and repertoire for round 1 in front of the camera or show your prepared pieces as text.

Technical instructions for the video recording:

• currently recorded
• unedited
• Pieces are played without repetitions
• cuts between the pieces are allowed (one take not necessary)
• fixed camera perspective: body and face must be fully visible at all times
• good video and audio quality

Please name your video according to the following example: "Name.Firstname.Degree.mp4"

The 2nd round of the entrance examination is expected to take place on 04.06.25 as an on-site examination at the university. You will be informed of the binding date in the invitation after the pre-selection from the 1st round of the video screening

The following works must be prepared:

• remaining movements of the classical sonata (at the request of the commission, the 1st movement may also have to be played again)
• 3 further challenging piano works from 3 other stylistic periods

Attention:
The etude from the video recording examination may not be played again

Your application will only be considered if all the steps described have been completed within the application deadline and the online application and application fee have been received.

The entrance examination is expected to take place in presence on 25.02.25 for the entrance examination for the summer semester 2025. The entrance examinations for the winter semester 2025/26 are expected to take place on 05.06.25.
Below you will find further information on the requirements for the entrance examination.

The entrance examination consists of 2 rounds:

Round 1: Solo program
Round 2: Orchestra concerts

After the 1st round, it will be announced on the notice board who has passed and is allowed to take part in the 2nd round. The 2nd round is expected to take place after a short break following the 1st round.

The following works must be prepared as repertoire:

• a complete solo program containing important works from at least three major epochs
• 2 piano concertos with orchestra
  (The orchestral part will be played by one of the examiners on the 2nd piano)
  The two orchestral concertos may be from the same period. However, it is recommended to perform two piano concertos from different eras

All works must be performed from memory (except for difficult modern literature). Complete works must be prepared. It is not sufficient to offer only individual movements, unless this is explicitly requested. 

Please bring your program list copied 5 times (do not forget your first and last name). Please also remember to bring the sheet music for the orchestral part.