International Summer Academy

The International Summer Academy is aimed at advanced students who are enrolled at universities or similar institutions and/or at musicians who are preparing for auditions/competitions. Our Young Excellence Program is specifically designed for highly talented young musicians under the age of 16. In general, there is no age limit for active participation.

In a total of four course periods, the International Summer Academy offers intensive one-week masterclasses with renowned lecturers and numerous additional workshops and talks. Active participation in a masterclass includes:

• 4 private lessons of 45 minutes each
• Passive participation in all masterclasses
• 2 free hours of practice time/day for active masterclass participants
• 3 free hours of practice time/day for participants in the piano masterclasses
• Free admission to events and performance opportunities

• Certificate

Registration Fee per person: € 120,–

Masterclasses

• Course Fee: € 480,- 
• Duo (z.B. Piano duo/Lied Duo): € 300,- p.P.

Registration dates for 2027 will be announced soon. We ask for your understanding that late registration is not possible.

Documents required for registration:

• To register, you must upload a video of a piece of your choice (best possible representation of your abilities, no compulsory repertoire).
• Please list the repertoire you would like to work on in the masterclass in the field "Repertoire" in the online registration form.
• Please note: Registration does guarantee a place in the masterclass!
• Decisions about admission to masterclasses will be made by the relevant faculty members on the basis of the submitted video. 

Additional courses can also be booked via online registration.

There is a right of cancellation within 14 days of making the payment; in this case, the entire fee will be refunded. If the cancellation is made before the application deadline, the course fee will be refunded. If the cancellation takes place after the application deadline, the course fee can only be refunded in justified exceptional cases.

After the application deadline, faculty members will review all applications and decide upon acceptance based on the videos provided within 14 days. We will inform you about your acceptance status as soon as possible via Email.

If you were not accepted into your desired masterclass, you have 3 options:

1. Re-book for a different masterclass (depending upon availability). We will suggest an alternative via Email.
2. Passive participation as a guest listener. The difference between masterclass course fee and listener pass will be reimbursed.
3. Cancel your booking. The entire course fee will be reimbursed.

The course fee includes 3 hours/day for pianists. All other instrumentalists can practice 2 hours/day. More practice time is available for a small additional fee upon availability.

The individual schedule is created during the first meeting on Monday morning. Classes usually take place Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. The week finishes with a matinee performance on Saturday morning, which will finish by approximately 2:00pm.

In addition, there are lectures, workshops, and concerts. You will receive the weekly schedule at check-in.

Accommodation is not included in the course fee. We kindly ask you to make your own accommodation arrangements. You can find a list of recommended options in the download area of the online registration page.

Please note: the student dorms in Salzburg are not available.

Numerous concerts take place during the Summer Academy, including concerts by teachers, studio concerts  and guest performances, as well as the final concerts of the best participants of the respective course period.

Application Guidelines

The singer Lilli Lehmann began giving private singing courses in the rooms of the Mozarteum in the summer of 1916, thus establishing the beginning of the International Summer Academy at the Mozarteum University. In 1925 Willy Schweyda added a first violin course to the Academy, and in 1929, with the support of the American Julian Freedman, the Summer Academy was expanded to include courses in piano, composition, conducting and opera. From 1930 to 1937 the institution was run as the "Musical Summer Courses", from 1937 to 1940 as the "Mozarteum Summer Academy" for music, theatre and dance, and between 1940 and 1944 as the "Summer Academy for Foreigners at the Mozarteum". After 1945 it was reorganised by Bernhard Paumgartner, and since 1947 it has borne the present name "International Summer Academy Mozarteum University". It has been led by Bernhard Paumgartner, Eberhard Preussner, Heinz Scholz, Robert Wagner, Paul Schilhawsky, Rolf Liebermann, Peter Lang, Paul Roczek, Alexander Müllenbach, Reinhart von Gutzeit, Siegfried Mauser and Wolfgang Holzmair.

Since 2019, the International Summer Academy has been directed by Hannfried Lucke.