Viola da Gamba / Violone

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”.

Link to the curriculum

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.

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: If you pass the audition and are offered a university place, the documents must meet the certification requirements by the time of your enrolment at the latest.

1. Create a basic account in MOZonline [Link]
2. in MOZonline: fill in the mandatory statistics UHstat1 (pre-registration for studies) and note the application number that you will receive by email afterwards
3. create an application account in Muvac [Link]
4. fill out your own profile in Muvac (in any case necessary: personal data, information on expertise matching the desired degree programme, in the CV: current employment and information on previous training)

During the application period:

5. selection of the desired degree programme or course in Muvac (Browse -> Studies)
6. Fill out the application form in Muvac ("Apply now") - in the form, the application number (see step 2) or the Austrian matriculation number must be entered in the appropriate place

• 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 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

The audition programme must include pieces typical of the viola da gamba / violone repertoire from several styles and periods, taking into account technical and stylistic diversity.

The following works are to be prepared:

• a A suite from Forqueray, Pièces de viole, 1747 or a sonata from the manuscript ms. F-Pn Vm7 6297 (Bibliothèque Nationale de France)
• a sonata for viola da gamba by C.P.E. Bach or J. Gottlieb Graun
• a virtuoso division or diminution of the 17th century in consultation with the principal study teacher
• a trio in which the viola da gamba performs an appropriate function (Telemann, Leclair, Quentin, Buxtehude, Schmelzer etc.) or a baryton trio by Haydn, Lidl or Tammasini or a concerto for viola da gamba and orchestra by J. Gottlieb Graun with its own cadenza
• a transcription of an appropriate violin work (e.g. sonatas by Veracini, Vivaldi, Bach Ciaccona etc.) or an improvisation "on a ground" or a modern work (20th/21st century) for viola da gamba or a piece composed by the candidate (at least 10 minutes)

Instrumental audition to determine artistic aptitude: 18.6.2025

overview of all current entrance exam dates

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.