The central element of this master’s programme is the close and unique cooperation with the hr-Bigband - Frankfurt Radio Big Band, which is one of the leading international ensembles of its kind.
For their studies, students can choose one of the study specialisations: playing, writing or conducting, but receive lessons in all three areas, among others from members of the hr-Bigband. In addition, they receive lessons with artists from the national and international scene, who they can choose freely in consultation with the programme director. Furthermore, there are other exciting workshops, excursions, job shadowing, seminars, projects and productions, among others with the hr-Bigband.
According to their personal profile, students can gain experience in interdisciplinary ensembles in the field of contemporary music of different genres as well as in the direction of young ensembles, for example state youth jazz orchestras as well as school and music school ensembles, and are individually supported and encouraged in the planning and realisation of their own artistic projects.
All students acquire competencies in all three areas. However, the aptitude tests must be taken in only one of these areas. In this way, applicants can present themselves with their strengths.
Learning from your own heroes!
As part of the Master's programme, students are entitled to over 20 hours of tuition with external experts in their field. These lessons can be individually tailored in consultation with the study programme director: as distance learning, as a studio visit, as additional regular lessons or even as a supplement during a trip - the number of experts is not limited. And of course: the international guest artists of the hr- Bigband can also be requested for these lessons.
A highlight of the course are the work phases with the Frankfurt Radio Big Band. The students are part of the band and take part in a two-week production under professional conditions, including recording and concert. The artistic direction and the musical material change from semester to semester.
An ensemble with variable instrumentation for jazz students from the Universities of Music in Mainz and Frankfurt as well as guests. The leadership rotates between teachers from the two universities. Arrangements and compositions by students can and should also be the focus here.
The students of the MA Bigband are offered a performance date for their own formations by the Milchsackfabrik within the framework of its event series " Jazz in der Milchsackfabrik" 6 times a year. Starting in 2024, the performance opportunities will also be supplemented by Frankfurt's largest jazz association "Jazz Initiative Frankfurt" with a total of 4 performance dates for our students in their extensive jazz program.
*You will receive details of your aptitude test dates with your invitation approx. 3 to 4 weeks before your aptitude test appointment.
WiSe = winter semester // SoSe = summer semester
The Master's programme Bigband - for players, writers and conductors is aimed at musicians who have already obtained a professional university degree (e.g. Bachelor's degree). Applicants choose one of the three main areas of study: playing, writing or conducting.
The competences required for admission to the programme must be demonstrated in an entrance exam tailored to these specialisations. Players have very good skills on their instrument, both as soloists and as section players. Writers have very good skills in the areas of arrangement and/or composition, and leaders already have leadership experience in artistic and pedagogical work with genre-typical ensembles.
- current passport photo (the following formats are accepted: GIF, JPEG, JPG or PNG)
- Complete and up-to-date curriculum vitae in tabular form (up to the year of application)
- School leaving certificate (if not yet available, the last school certificate is sufficient for the time being), in case of foreign certificates a certified translation in German or English is required*
- If applying for a Master's degree: Bachelor's certificate or equivalent, "Transcript of Records", if applying for a concert exam: Master's certificate or equivalent, "Transcript of Records "*
- For applicants from the People's Republic of China and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, certificate of the Academic Evaluation Service (APS) (PR China // Vietnam)
- Proof of language skills according to the requirements of the degree programmes (see below, Language certificates)
- Please note that you have to submit additional documents in the different study programmes. Please inform yourself about this on the website of the respective study program for which you are applying under "aptitude test". Among other things, letter of motivation, assignments, phoniatric report (voice)...
*If you do not have all final certificates at the time of application, please submit the most recent certificates and supporting documents in advance. Submit the final documents without being asked and in good time before the start of your studies. If you have any questions, please contact us immediately.
Please fill out the online application completely and upload all requested documents. After you have submitted your online application with a final mouse click, you will receive an email from us confirming the receipt of your application.
After the application deadline, you will receive an invoice from us for an administrative fee of 50 Euro. Please transfer the fee to the account of the HfMDK stating your invoice number and name within the mentioned payment deadline. Only when the administrative fee has been credited to the university's account is your application complete and can be processed.
The application fee is charged per applicant. If you apply for two courses or subjects, no further fee is due. The fee will be due again if you reapply at a later date (new round of applications).
A refund of the application fee is excluded - this also applies if the application is withdrawn.
Here you will find a list of required German language skills for all degree programs. Please check which of these requirements apply to your degree program.
The aptitude test takes place in two rounds. Part of the first round (digital pre-selection) is the submitted application material. Only those who pass the first round will be invited to the second round. The board of examiners will decide whether candidates have passed the first round no later than three weeks before the date of the second round.
Online submission of the following documents:
- Letter of motivation (up to 2 pages)
- Short personal introduction video (1-2 minutes): Bief presentation of previous educational path and artistic projects
- Video material (max. 15 minutes; details on technical requirements will be published on the homepage).
This material is intended to demonstrate the following competences using at least two pieces of different character, which also represent the assessment criteria:
- Musical-artistic personality
- Instrumental-technical skills
- Solo/improvisation skills
- Interpretation and stylistic confidence
Written indication of any second instruments (doublings)
Online submission of the following documents:
- Letter of motivation (up to 2 pages)
- Short personal introduction video (1-2 minutes): Brief presentation of previous training and artistic projects
- Work portfolio (scores incl. audio/video documentation) with at least three original compositions and/or arrangements, at least one of which must be for a larger ensemble (at least eight players) or big band
Assessment criteria:
Artistic independence, technical maturity
Online submission of the following documents:
- Letter of motivation incl. presentation of previous leadership experience (up to 2 pages)
- Short personal introduction video (1-2 minutes): Brief presentation of the previous educational path and artistic projects
- Video recording of a self-conducted rehearsal with a big band or other ensemble (max. 10 minutes)
Assessment criteria:
Proven experience in conducting ensembles
The first round (digital pre-selection) must be passed in order to be admitted to the second round (in presence). It is only evaluated with "passed" / "failed". The second round is assessed with points. The aptitude test is passed if at least 13 points are achieved in the second part.
Second round (approx. 20 minutes):
- Section, sight-reading and solo competence (big band part) of one or more compulsory pieces, which will be sent out with the invitation to the 2nd round, as well as a piece from sight-reading with rhythm section (possibly in the section) including solo part (total duration of the examination approx. 15 minutes)
- Discussion with the commission
Assessment criteria:
Instrumental skills, improvisation skills, interpretation and stylistic confidence
Second round (approx. 110 minutes)
- Written exam (arrangement task, processing time 90 minutes)
- Explanation and discussion of one of the scores submitted in the 1st round (approx. 15 minutes)
- Discussion with the commission
Assessment criteria:
Artistic independence, technical maturity
Second round (approx. 40 minutes)
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Score reading: A score is presented (without preparation time) and discussed. The following competences, among others, must be demonstrated: being able to sing/audition (rhythmically) passages, naming difficult and rehearsal-intensive passages and explaining rehearsal methods (approx. 10 minutes)
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Rehearsing a given arrangement without preparation time with an ensemble of students (20 minutes). The ensemble will be provided.
- Discussion with the commission
Assessment criteria:
Proof of basic conducting skills in a band context (sample efficiency, communication skills, artistic aplomb)
[Nicht-amtliche Lesefassung. Stand: 18.12.2023]
The Study and Examination Regulations (SPO) set out the framework conditions and regulations for your studies. They apply together with the General Regulations (for Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes) or the SPoL (for teacher training degree programmes). All versions of the SPO for your degree programme (including earlier versions for students of previous academic years) can be found at Examinations.
Stand: 27.05.2019