The Bachelor’s course aims towards educating artists who are able to work as conductors in all professional fields that music theatres and concert halls offer. Due to the complexity of the profession, graduates have to possess artistic, teaching as well as social competence to master the challenge to work as a music director. The repertoire is immense as are the demands of the market. Therefore, the Bachelor’s course can only provide the basics for a professional career; several subjects can only be studied exemplarily – it has to be considered that students begin their studies without preparatory training.

The Master’s course in Orchestra Conducting will provide students with the final competence.

Foreign students whose native language is not German must provide evidence that their knowledge of German is sufficient for their chosen course. 
For the Bachelor’s degree (Orchestra Conducting), students are required to have reached level C1 as defined by the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. 
Applicants’ linguistic competence will be established during the aptitude test. 

You will find further information in the Aptitude Test Regulations and Matriculation Regulations (only in German) of Rostock University of Music and Drama.

Please apply via our application website  by uploading the required documents and application videos by 15th of April for the following winter semester and 15th of November for the next following summer semester.

1st round : Online procedure 
(ONE Video must be uploaded for each task )

Conducting task

J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus, Overture.

If possible, the piece should be conducted with two pianos. (A recording with orchestra is possible.) The applicants should be clearly visible from the front to allow observation of the number of pianos being played. Recordings without sound will not be considered.

Correpetition/Piano Excerpt Playing

C. M. v. Weber: Der Freischütz, Terzett Nr. 9 »Wie, was, Entsetzen«

The work is to be performed with vocal presentation (marking) of the vocal parts. Applicants must be recognisable by looking at the keyboard.

Piano

Candidates may select one piece from the following ones:

L. v. Beethoven: 1st Movement of the Sonata op. 2 Nr. 3, op. 10 Nr. 3, op. 22, op. 53, op. 57 or op. 81a
or
J. Brahms: Rhapsodie op. 79 Nr. 1
or
F. Chopin: Ballade g-moll op. 23
or
a work corresponding in difficulty to the preceding pieces.

Each video has to start with a short introduction (your name and your application number). The video has to be filmed in one take and live, which means the material must not be cut or post-edited. There is no need for professional video production. Videos taken with your mobile phone are absolutely fine.

You will receive an e-mail with the results of the 1st round of the entrance examination. If you have passed the 1st round, you will be invited to the 2nd round which will take place in June for the winter semester and in January for the summer semester. The exact dates will be published under apply for studies.

2nd round: Presence examination

The skill to proficiently communicate rehearsal content verbally is an important aspect of the examination assessment.

Conducting task

• W.A. Mozart: Don Giovanni, Nr. 23 Recitativo accompagnato »Crudele! Ah no, mio bene«
• J. Brahms: 1. Symphony in c, 4th movement
• C. Orff: Carmina Burana »Uf dem Anger« Nr. 6 Tanz

The presence examination usually takes place with piano(s). If possible, a singer will be available.

Correpetition/Piano Excerpt Playing

1. Prepared: G. Puccini: La Bohème, Act III, Quartett from rehearsal number 24. The work is to be performed with vocal presentation (marking) of the vocal parts.
2. Prima Vista performance from from musical theatre or/and choral symphonic works, as well as a short section of a score. Candidates should demonstrate their ability to present the essential content of the work excerpts presented to them in a musically meaningful way on the piano.

If you pass the on-campus examination, you will then be tested in the compulsory subjects Piano and Music theory. There is also a language test for foreign applicants.  

Piano: Play - preferably by heart - 4 piano works from different stylistic periods with a higher level of difficulty.

Music theory

We look forward to receiving your application!