Double bass

The curriculum is competence-oriented. After completing the Master's programme, students should:

• master their instrument at the highest level and be able to present themselves professionally
• be free and independent in their artistic work
• be able to deal critically with artistic and scientific issues
• be able to perform professionally in an orchestra/ensemble
• be able to contribute to the work in a chamber music formation or ensemble in an artistically constructive way with team spirit
• have acquired in-depth knowledge of various playing techniques
• have acquired in-depth knowledge of orchestral literature and mastery of the relevant orchestral parts
• have acquired in-depth knowledge and mastery of the solo and chamber music literature of various epochs
• have in-depth knowledge of stylistics and repertoire
• have mastered scientific working techniques and be able to analyse, interpret and elaborate artistic content in writing in a well-founded manner
• be able to use audiovisual media for self-presentation (competition submissions, demo recordings, internet presentations etc.)
• have gained insights into the areas of physical and mental health maintenance, self-management and optimisation of performance
• have further developed their individual interests in the sense of lifelong learning beyond their own subject area through targeted consolidation in the context of (free) electives

The four-semester master's program in double bass is modular in structure. A module is the combination of teaching and learning content into thematically and didactically meaningful units of study. The designations and content descriptions (study objectives) of the individual modules as well as the number of ECTS credits to be achieved for each module and the type of performance assessment are specified in the curriculum. The module descriptions refer to the corresponding learning outcomes and competencies. The Master's program is a face-to-face program and cannot be offered - not even in parts - as a distance learning program. The courses from the Central Artistic Subject (ZKF) as well as the other Individual Artistic Instruction (KE) are designed to build upon each other. Prerequisite for enrollment in courses from the ZKF or KE in each semester - with the exception of the first - is a positive evaluation of the previous semester.

Link to the semester schedule

Admission to the master's program in double bass requires the completion of a Bachelor's programme (BA) or another equivalent programme at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution (e.g. university, college) (§ 64 Abs. 3 UG 2002). 
In addition, a prerequisite for admission to the degree programme is the successful completion of the admission examination. For this, an online application is first required, during which the necessary documents are checked. Only after the completely submitted documents have been checked and the application video has been positively assessed will an invitation to the admission examination be issued.

ATTENTION:

• The examination of the pre-study documents can take up to 4 weeks! Early application is therefore recommended.
• You can only apply for studies for which you have not yet obtained a degree!

Documents required for online application

• BA certificate or degree certificate of a relevant degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed
• Current confirmation of enrolment if the degree programme has not yet been completed (the certificate must be submitted by the time of enrolment!)
• overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records) of the BA degree programme
• Official confirmation of the main subject/instrument, if this is not evident from the other documents (e.g. "Bachelor of Music" is not sufficient!)
• If further previous studies are available, a complete overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records) of all artistic and pedagogical Master's and diploma studies must also be uploaded.
• Application video

Form of the documents

• The documents can be uploaded as PDF in the application form, the video will be entered as a link.
• If the documents mentioned are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.

Application video

Based on the videos sent in, a pre-selection will be made by the examination board. The examination program MA Double Bass has to be recorded completely and uploaded on a video platform of your choice:

• a classical concerto (two contrasting movements, e.g. by Vanhal, Hoffmeister, Sperger, Dittersdorf)
• a concerto or a sonata of the Romantic or Modern period (two contrasting movements, e.g.E.g. by Bottesini, Koussevitzky, Schubert, Rota, Tubin, Mišek, Proto or Glière)
• a contemporary solo work (e.g. by Zbinden, Vasks, Hauta-aho or Carter)
• an orchestral passage (e.g. Beethoven 9th symphony recitative)

Important information on video uploads can be found HERE, as well as the data protection information. The guidelines mentioned there are to be observed urgently!

Structure of the Admission Examination

If you have received an invitation to the admission examination based on your application video, the following partial examinations must be completed:

A - Instrumental audition to determine artistic aptitude 

The program presented must include representative pieces from several styles or eras for the respective instrument, taking into account the technical and stylistic diversity. Concertos, solo pieces and caprices must be performed from memory (exception for modern and contemporary works after consultation with the examination committee). 
The following works must be prepared:

• a classical concerto (two contrasting movements, e.g. by Vanhal, Hoffmeister, Sperger, Dittersdorf)
• a concerto or sonata of the romantic or modern period (two contrasting movements, e.g. by Bottesini, Koussevitzky, Schubert, Rota, Tubin, Mišek, Proto or Glière)
• one contemporary solo work (e.g. by Zbinden, Vasks, Hauta-aho or Carter)
• one orchestral passage (e.g. Beethoven 9th symphony recitative)

An experienced répétiteur will be available during the exam, unfortunately communication rehearsals are not possible. You have to bring your own sheet music! 

B - German language skills

• Required language level: at least A2 until the end of the 2nd semester (Common European Framework of Reference CEFR 2001)
• Information on the German examination and the recognised certificates can be found HERE

Dates & timetable

The dates of the entrance examination as well as important deadlines can be found in the current schedule.
Time schedule:

• Examination registration during the application period online via the registration portal for university applicants
  (ATTENTION: Registration only possible if documents are complete, including video!)
• If the application video is positive: Invitation to the on-site entrance examination
• Participation in the on-site admission test in May/June
• if you pass the admission test: invitation to enrol for the degree programme
• Enrolment during the general admission period

Different examination method

Please note that the University Mozarteum Salzburg offers various support options for the admission examination and during your studies if you have a disability or a chronic illness.

If this applies to you and you would like to take advantage of counselling, please contact Claudia Haitzmann: claudia.haitzmann@moz.ac.at or +43 676 88122 337.

Students of the Master's programme are recommended to complete a semester abroad. Semesters 2 and 3 of the degree programme are particularly suitable for this. In addition to the subject-specific competences, the following qualifications can be acquired through a study period abroad:

• Acquisition and deepening of subject-specific foreign language skills
• Acquisition and deepening of general language skills (language comprehension, conversation, etc.)
• Acquisition and deepening of organisational skills through independent planning of everyday study life in international administrative and university structures
• Getting to know and studying in international study systems as well as broadening one's own subject perspective
• Acquisition and deepening of intercultural competences

The recognition of examinations taken during studies abroad as compulsory subjects, elective subjects or free elective subjects is carried out by the Director of Studies. The documents required for the assessment are to be submitted by the applicant immediately after the stay abroad.

Details at International Affairs.