+++ Registration for the entrance examination is now possible! Application deadline for performance programmes: February 28, 2025 - all further information on the course pages! +++
The master's programme in Elemental Music & Movement Education enables students to build on their previous studies to develop creativity-driven approaches to music, dance and language and to support people in the way they express themselves artistically. Students engage with historical and contemporary art forms in an interdisciplinary manner, working together with experts in practice and learning how to initiate diverse encounters with the arts.
Many students will already have begun to practice music and dance pedagogy in relevant fields on the basis of their undergraduate studies. Upon completion of this master’s programme, they will be highly qualified to plan, implement and reflect on learning processes within the field of music and dance in a variety of pedagogical contexts.
The aim of the study programme is to go beyond the bachelor's degree and to deepen the subject-specific, artistic, theoretical and didactic knowledge in the field of elemental music and dance education. Subject-specific and interdisciplinary topics are dealt with in a variety of artistic and academic formats, with all participants appreciating how interdisciplinary cooperation can be enriching for all involved. As part of this process, students experience diverse encounters with a contemporary, innovative and future-oriented artistic and pedagogical practice.
The research-based approaches introduced to students ensure that their future work is based upon reflected pedagogical practice in their area of artistic expertise as well as being underscored by sound theoretical knowledge. Students will choose either a performance artistic or a pedagogical and scholarly specialism, which informs their development of independent artistic projects and research questions respectively. During the course of their studies, students will build an individual academic profile by developing and diversifying their Individual competences. Particular emphasis is placed on further expansion and professionalisation in the following fields:
The ability to teach general musical competences as well as instrumental/vocal and dance skills.
The ability to diversify artistic competences, especially in improvisation and composition, independently and when working with diverse target groups.
The ability to plan, implement and document artistic and pedagogical projects. The ability to act in a pedagogically responsible way with regard to diversity, on the basis of current scientific knowledge.
The ability to shape creative processes in a cooperative and collaborative way.
The ability to develop research-based approaches.
The ability to look discursively, self-critically and reflexively at one's own artistic, pedagogical and scholarly work.
The ability to present artistic projects to the public in a way reflective of contemporary aesthetics.
The ability to apply strategies in order to proactively organise and implement further learning and development processes after completion of the degree programme (lifelong learning).
This four-semester course of study is modular in structure. Each module comprises teaching and learning content that has been combined to form thematically and didactically meaningful units of study. The names and content descriptions (study objectives) of the individual modules, 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.
These contain the respective learning outcomes (knowledge, skills, competencies). The study programme covers the areas of creativity and design, artistry and technical skill, arts and educational sciences, and pedagogical practice. It is characterised by a consistent emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice. Artistic competencies are acquired and diversified. The course presents contemporary methods of teaching elemental music and dance, including performative formats. From this, skills for teaching music and dance are derived which are then transferred into diverse, constantly changing, pedagogical contexts, with special consideration given to social diversity.
Students of the Master's programme are encouraged to complete a semester abroad. Semesters 2 and 3 of the degree programme are particularly suitable for this. In addition to subject-specific competences, a study period abroad can also lead to the acquisition and deepening of:
Subject-specific foreign language skills
General foreign-language skills (language comprehension, conversation, etc.)
Organisational skills, through independent planning of everyday student life in international administrative and university structures
Knowledge about international study systems, as well as broadening one's own subject perspective
Intercultural competences
Examinations and assessments taken during studies abroad can be approved by the Director of Studies as equivalents to compulsory subjects, elective subjects or free elective subjects required by the Mozarteum University for your degree course. The documents required for the approval procedure are to be submitted by the applicant immediately after their exchange semester.
To obtain their Master’s degree qualification, students will undergo the following assessments:
Positive completion of the courses and examinations of all modules – detailed descriptions of the respective modules and how to complete them is laid down in the module descriptions (Curriculum, Appendix 3).
Preparation of an academic Master's thesis (Curriculum, § 8)
Defence of Master's thesis before an examination committee
Final examination in the didactics and teaching practice of elemental music and movement pedagogy
Presentation, to an examination committee, of the examination project completed within framework of Module 5 (Project Module/Master’s Thesis)
Admission to an MA Performance programme requires the completion of a relevant bachelor's degree (BA) or other equivalent degree at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution (e.g. university, college) (§ 64 Para. 3 UG 2002).
A prerequisite for admission to this university course is also the successful completion of an audition. Registration for an audition is completed online via Muvac 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.
Applicants can only apply for degree programmes for which they have not yet obtained a degree!
Applicants whose documents have been approved will be invited to the on-site audition. This consists of an instrumental audition and, if necessary, a test of German language skills.
The steps necessary for registration are detailed below. Applicants who have already studied at an Austrian university should start with step 3.
1. Create a basic account in MOZonline 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)
During the application period:
5. Select your desired degree programme in Muvac (Browse -> Studies) 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
Detailed instructions with screenshots can be found here. Please take a look at the FAQs about registration in Muvac if you get stuck at any of the steps.
Communication during the application process takes place via Muvac or email, depending on the degree programme. Please ensure that you can be contacted at the email address entered in your profile throughout the entire application process and regularly check whether you have received any new messages in Muvac. You can set your own profile to inform you of any new messages in Muvac by email (Account settings -> Notifications).
If your contact details change, please update your profile yourself.
BA certificate or diploma of a relevant degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed. The following degrees are considered relevant for admission: a pedagogical, artistic-pedagogical or artistic BA (e.g. BA Teaching degree in Music Education/Instrumental Music Education, BA in Instrumental/Vocal Pedagogy, BA in Instrumental/Vocal Performance) that involved at least six semesters of study.
Confirmation of enrolment, if the current 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!)
For those applying with a non-pedagogical Bachelor’s degree, proof of pedagogical activity, professional practice or teaching activity must be submitted. The evidence provided could take the form of: Proof of professional activity by those providing the service, proof of relevant further training, documentation of teaching activity (such as courses held, target groups, programmes, flyers, visual material, evaluation or feedback).
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.
If applicable, proof of German language skills
Form of the documents
The documents can be uploaded as PDF files in the application form (when activated).
If the required documents are not available in German or English, an official translation must be submitted.
Online registration during the application period via the application portal Muvac (Please note: Registration is only possible if all required information and documents have been submitted!)
Once the online application has been processed: invitation to on-site audition. The invitation will be sent via Muvac.
The invitation to audition on-site must be accepted or rejected in Muvac; information on the audition programme in the principal study must be provided if required by the instrument/degree programme in question
participation in the on-site audition
Upon passing the audition and being offered a place: invitation to enrol in the degree programme
Enrolment (in person) during the general admission period
The repetition of composite parts of the audition in case of failure is not permitted; the audition can only be repeated in its entirety and only in the next academic year. The audition can be repeated an unlimited number of times.
The entrance examination consists of the following sections, all of which must be passed:
A - Pedagogical aptitude (leading a group)
The focus of this part of the examination is to determine candidates’ aptitude for artistically oriented teaching practice with groups. Candidates will work with a group (usually fellow candidates) on a piece of their own choice (possibly a piece they have composed themselves) that they have prepared in advance, e.g. song or canon with or without accompaniment (body percussion, instruments, movements, gestures, dance), traditional dance or excerpt of a choreography, spoken word piece, simple ensemble piece (instrumental, vocal). The candidate must bring to the examination three copies of the material used, including the corresponding source information (e.g. sheet music, spoken piece, choreographic sketch, music selection) as well as three copies of their lesson plan (broken down into steps). The teaching demonstration will be evaluated afterwards.
B - Instrumental or Vocal Audition
Requirements for vocal auditions:
Three pieces of different periods and characters are to be performed from memory. The pieces to be performed must be solo pieces with accompaniment (no choir parts).
Solving an improvisation task (e.g. playful vocal realisation of a spontaneously given theme).
Sight Singing.
Requirements for instrumental auditions:
Three pieces of different periods and characters are to be performed; it is not necessary to perform from memory.
Solving an improvisation task (material will be provided in the exam) on the instrument.
Sight reading.
C - Practical music skills (general musical aptitude; vocal aptitude)
Requirements: General musical aptitude
All applicants must demonstrate their skills in percussion, which is determined by participation in an ensemble class under the direction of a teacher. Content will include question and answer games, imitation and coordination exercises.
Requirements: Vocal aptitude
All applicants will take a voice test, to include:
Two short pieces of different character and style, to be sung unaccompanied and from memory. (For pieces with several verses, a maximum of two verses.) One of these should be sung in German and one should be a folk song.
Recital of a short text of the candidate's choice (poetry, prose, etc.). This is to be recited from memory and should be considered a creative performance. It should last approx. one to two minutes.
D - Practical dance skills (general aptitude in the group; solo study)
Requirements - general aptitude in a group:
Participation in a dance technique class (contemporary), examination in the group under the guidance of a teacher, including but not limited to the following elements: Guided warm up, realisation of movement material provided in the exam both on the spot and moving through the room, rhythmic exercises, contact and spatial orientation exercises, variation and interpretation of movement material and improvisation. (Duration approx. 45-60 minutes.)
Requirements - Solo study:
Performance of a prepared, individually designed movement/dance study on a freely chosen topic, e.g. presentation of a movement-exploration or dance movement scene, with movement material to be chosen by the candidate. The study can be designed with or without music and/or include other elements supporting or sustaining the performance (text, image, object, etc.). (Duration: minimum three to maximum five minutes.) This is followed by a short discussion on intention and process. Students should be prepared for the possibility of being asked to perform a spontaneous task relating to what they have presented, or to answer questions on their previous dance experience.
E - Music theory and aural skills
Examination of basic knowledge of general music theory (written and oral) including an aural test.
Requirements in the written part of the examination (approx. 60 minutes):
Notation of melodies from memory
Continuation of given melodies
Composing a short melody for a given text
Noting down one-part and easy two-part melodic dictations as well as rhythmic dictations
Forming all triads and seventh chords including inversions (especially dominant-seventh chords in root position and 3rd inversion)
Recognising and writing down simple figured basses as well as harmony functions and harmony steps in a musical context.
Requirements in the oral part of the examination (5-10 minutes):
Sight-reading
Recognising and naming intervals and simple chord progressions
Singing triads (in inversions) and dominant seventh chords (in root position only)
Identification of harmonic steps and dissonant neighbour notes
Extended cadence in major and minor in two different keys (on piano or guitar)
Sample exam questions and further help for preparation can be found HERE.
F - German language skills
Required language level: at least B2 (Common European Framework of Reference CEFR 2001)
Information on the German examination as well as the recognised certificates can be found HERE
After passing Partial Examination A, you will be admitted to Partial Examinations B-D (possibly in a different order). The repetition of the sub-examinations A-C in case of failure is not permitted. The admission examination can only be repeated in its entirety and only in the next academic year. The admission examination can be repeated an unlimited number of times.
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.
The International Society of Mozarteum University Salzburg finances an ensemble scholarship for students or graduates of the Mozarteum University - interdisciplinary concepts are welcome!
As part of the Moz-Art-Zone, we link special events for school classes to the broad spectrum of university programmes and thus want to give children and young people access to music, art and culture. The focus is on young people meeting (young) artists who offer an insight into the artistic work of the various departments at the Mozarteum University. The Moz-Art-Zone offers a colourful mix of activities, from a visit to the opera with an artist talk and theatre laboratory to special educational concerts and hands-on workshops in the graphics workshop.
The presentation concert of the scholarship holders of the newly created ensemble scholarship A (one-year) Start Up for Ensemble(s) took place in the impressive ambience of Schloss Leopoldskron at the beginning of April. In cooperation with "The International Society of Mozarteum University Salzburg", over 44.000 euros will be made available to students or graduates of the Mozarteum University Salzburg.
