Violoncello
Overview
From baroque performance practice to Classical and Romantic repertoire and up to the present day: with the holistic approach offered by this postgraduate course in cello, students perfect their artistic skills to the highest level, deal comprehensively with challenging instrumental techniques and further their existing knowledge and skills through working with renowned teachers.
General information
The course includes 1 academic hour per week of instruction in the principal study. In addition, electives and free electives can be taken. Performance opportunities at university concerts and events in Salzburg and further afield are part of the course.
The duration of the course is 2 semesters. With the approval of the principal study teacher and the Director of Studies, it is possible to extend the course by one or two semesters.
Successful completion of the course is based upon passing grades in classes relating to the principal study. A certificate of completion can be issued upon request.
The curriculum provides an overview of the courses offered. In addition to the lessons in the principal study, (free) elective subjects can be taken. These are listed in the curriculum under “no semester recommended”.
A course fee and the ÖH contribution (Students' Union fees) must be paid per semester for participation in the course.
Information on the current fees can be found HERE.
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's degree or diploma at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for starting the course is also passing an audition. Auditions take place once a year. All information about the audition can be found under “Information on the Admissions Process” further down on the page.
Information on the admissions process
Admission to a postgraduate university course (PGL) requires the successful completion of a subject-related master's or diploma degree at a recognised Austrian or foreign post-secondary educational institution in the respective principal study. Admission with a teaching degree, such as music education or instrumental & vocal pedagogy, is NOT possible.
A prerequisite for admission to this university course is also the successful completion of an audition. Registration for an audition is completed online and requires candidates to upload documents proving their eligibility for the course. An invitation to audition will only be issued after the necessary documents have been submitted in full and approved by the admissions office.
PLEASE NOTE: Document checks can take up to 6 weeks! Early registration is therefore recommended.
The following documents must be uploaded in the online application form:
- BA certificate and MA certificate or final certificate of an equivalent degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed.
- Confirmation of current enrolment in a Master's programme, if the study programme has not yet been completed (the transcript must be submitted prior to enrolment!)
- Overview of subjects and grades from your BA and MA degree programmes (Transcript of Records)
- Official confirmation of the principal study, if this is not evident from the other documents (e.g. "Bachelor of Music" is not sufficient!)
Format of documents
- The documents can be uploaded as PDF in the application form.
- If the documents are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.
Please note:
Applicants who pass the audition and are offered a university place must ensure that their documents meet the certification requirements by the time of their enrolment at the latest.
The application video does not need to be uploaded with the application. Applicants will only be invited to upload a video once their documents have been verified and their personal details processed.
2. Once in the MOZonline account: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and make a note of the application number that is sent by email upon submission of this information.
3. Create an application account in Muvac
4. Fill out your own profile in Muvac (minimum requirements: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now"), being sure to enter your application number (see step 2) or Austrian matriculation number in the appropriate field
Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
- online registration during the application period via the application portal Muvac (Please note: Registration is only possible if all information and documents are complete!)
- after processing your online application: invitation to the video pre-selection in Muvac; there the application video must be uploaded by the specific date
- if succesful in the pre-selection (video): invitation to the on-site audition (the invitation is sent via Muvac)
- in Muvac: acceptance or rejection of participation in the admission exam; if necessary: information on the examination programme for the audition in the main subject (ZKF)
- participation in the on-site audition
- upon passing the audition and obtaining a place: invitation to enrolment to the course
- personal enrolment during the general admission period
A pre-selection of applicants will be made by the audition panel based on the videos submitted.
The following excerpt from the audition programme for “Postgraduate Certificate in Violoncello” must be prepared:
- Prelude and another movement from a suite by Bach
- Haydn Concerto in D major first movement, exposition
- first movement from a major concerto, exposition
The video should begin with a short personal introduction by the applicant.
General information on the application video is listed below. Applicants are kindly requested to adhere to the guidelines given here!
Upon successful processing of their application, applicants will be invited to the video pre-selection round in Muvac.
Applicants who wish to accept the invitation must upload their video by 20th March 2025.
If an applicant fails to confirm their participation in the video pre-selection in Muvac before the deadline, and therefore does not upload a video, their application will not be considered and the status of the application will be changed to "did not participate". In this case, the application process will automatically be discontinued.
Video files are to be created by the applicant themselves and uploaded to the application platform Muvac. The following guidelines must be observed:
- Both the face and body of the applicant must be visible in the video.
- The picture and sound quality of the video should be as good as possible. If the sound and/or image quality is insufficient, the video will not be considered.
- The sound recording in the video must not be electronically amplified or altered.
- Video editing is not permitted* - the recording must not be edited/cut and must run from beginning to end. Exactly one video must be submitted per application.
- Information on the content and duration of the video is given on the web page of the relevant degree programme.
- If possible, the names of the pieces should be given in the video description (title of the video in Muvac).
Piano accompaniment in the video
- String instruments (except for solo pieces).
- Wind instruments (exception for recorder: harpsichord accompaniment; for oboe and bassoon: piano or harpsichord accompaniment)
The programme presented must include pieces typical of the cello repertoire from several styles or periods, taking into account technical and stylistic diversity. Concertos, solo pieces and caprices must be performed from memory (exception for modern and contemporary works after prior agreement with the audition panel).
The following works must be prepared:
- Haydn concerto in D major or C major, first and second movements with cadenzas
- Prelude, Sarabande and another movement from one of the Bach solo suites IV-VI
- A major concerto of the Romantic period or of the 20th century, first movement
- First movement from the Arpeggione sonata by Schubert
An experienced accompanist is available to play for the audition; unfortunately, communication rehearsals are not possible. Candidates must provide copies of their sheet music for the pianist!
Application video: upload in Muvac possible until 20.3.2025
Instrumental audition to determine artistic aptitude: 10.6.-11.6.2025
Please note that the Mozarteum University Salzburg offers various support options at the time of your audition 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.
Any questions?
You can find more information about starting your studies here:
