Lied

This degree course is oriented around current developments and performance practice in the arts, as well as the latest, most up-to-date research in the academic disciplines involved. A focus is placed on the stylistically differentiated interpretation of lied and oratorio repertoire and on collaboration with pianists. This artistically demanding course provides students with a sound, wide-ranging education in the field of lied and oratorio repertoire. First and foremost, this programme aims to develop students’ artistic personality and musical sensitivity.

Since the spoken word is often not sufficient to express a deep inner truth, special importance is attached to the art of singing, the genre of lied and the setting of literature (dramas, epics, poetry) to music. The works are thus given a new layer of meaning. The focus of the course is therefore not only on technical vocal skills, but also on understanding language and poetry.

The study programme provides openings into many different career paths.

The following preliminary studies are relevant for admission to the Master's degree programme in Lied:

• for singers: BA Voice
• for pianists: BA Piano

Double registration for auditions in MA Lied (Department of Voice) and MA Piano Chamber Music and Lied Interpretation (Department of Keyboard Instruments) is possible.
Please note: The MA Piano Chamber Music and Lied Interpretation is being phased out. The changeover to MA Piano Chamber Music (without Lied Interpretation) is expected to take place in the academic year 2025/26.

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

• Be able to master their voice at the highest level and present themselves professionally
• Be able to compile a programme according to artistic criteria, taking into account their own vocal abilities, and to work on it independently (artistic maturity)
• Be free and independent in their artistic work
• Be capable of dealing critically with artistic and academic questions
• Be capable of performing professionally as a soloist and in an ensemble
• Possess in-depth knowledge of lied and oratorio repertoire and stylistics
• Have mastered the techniques of academic research and writing, and be able to analyse, interpret and write about artistic content in a grounded manner
• Have further developed their individual interests beyond their own subject area through targeted consolidation in the context of elective subjects, in the spirit of lifelong learning

From the academic year 2024/25 onwards, singers and pianists (NEW!) will be able to study in the master’s degree programme Lied in the department of vocal studies at the Mozarteum Universtiy Salzburg.

In the Master’s programme, singers and pianists will receive joint tuition in Lied Interpretation, working together (as duos) with the Lied professor. Classes in the subjects repertoire, art song in context, performance coaching, languages and recitation will also be open to singers and pianists alike.

Pianists will also have the opportunity to gain valuable experience of accompanying singers, working together in their singing lessons, oratorio classes and in vocal coaching.

Both Lied professors will also regularly offer masterclass-style forums.

The four-semester master's programme 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.

The master's programme is a face-to-face programme and cannot be offered - not even in part - as a distance learning programme. The courses from the Principal Study, as well as in other One-to-One Tuition, are designed to build upon each other. Prerequisite for enrolment in courses from the Principal Study or One-to-One Tutition is a positive evaluation of the previous semester (from the second semester onwards).

The curriculum provides an overview of the courses to be completed, which are grouped into modules.

The courses are visible online in Curriculum Support:

Link to the current curriculum (valid until 30.9.2024)
From 1.10.2024 a new curriculum will be introduced, which will be published in due course.

Admission to a master's program requires the completion of a relevant bachelor's degree (BA) or another equivalent degree at a recognised domestic or foreign post-secondary educational institution (e.g. university, college) (§ 64 Para. 3 UG 2002).

A prerequisite for starting the course is also passing an audition. Auditions take place once a year and consist of an instrumental audition and, if necessary, proof of German language skills. All information about the audition can be found under “Information on the admissions process” further down on the page.

PLEASE NOTE: You can only apply for study programmes for which you have not yet obtained a degree!

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 sujects 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.

Details at International Affairs.

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.
• You can only apply for degree programmes for which you 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 following documents must be uploaded in the online application form:

• BA certificate or degree certificate of a relevant degree programme, if the degree programme has already been completed
• Confirmation of current enrolment if the degree programme has not yet been completed (the certificate must be submitted prior to enrolment!)
• Overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records) of the BA degree programme
• Official confirmation of the principal study, if this is not evident from the other documents (e.g. "Bachelor of Music" is not sufficient!)
• If further previous studies have been completed, a full overview of subjects and grades (Transcript of Records) of all artistic and pedagogical Master's and diploma studies must also be uploaded.

Format of documents

• The documents can be uploaded as PDF in the application form, the video will be entered as a link.
• 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.

It is possible to apply individually, and therefore not necessary to register as an existing duo.

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 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

The audition consists of a two to three-stage selection procedure, the first stage of which is an audition in front of the audition panel. Only candidates who have successfully completed the first round will be invited to participate in the second round (working on a piece in rehearsal) and the third round (a second audition).

The Mozarteum University Salzburg will provide accompanists or singers for the auditions, subject to availability. Candidates are free to bring their own accompanists or singers to the audition if they prefer.
 

for singers:

• First round: The candidate will sing a piece of their own choice and possibly a piece selected by the commission. The pieces must be performed from memory.
  Eight Lieder or art songs from different stylistic periods (at least four of which must be in German) and three oratorio arias in different languages must be prepared for the audition. The Lieder must be performed from memory.
• Second round: If necessary, a workshop session (lasting approx. 20 min) with the Lied teachers.
• Third round: Second part of the audition with a programme of the remaining pieces.

for pianists:

• First round: The candidate will perform a piece of their own choice and possibly one selected by the commission. 
  Ten Lieder or art songs from different stylistic periods, at least four of which must be in German, and two arias from oratorios, which will be announced by the commission at least four weeks in advance, must be prepared for the audition.
• Second round: If necessary, a rehearsal (lasting approx. 20 min) with the Lied teachers.
• Third round: Second part of the audition with a programme of the remaining pieces.

Information for principal study Lied Interpretation (Piano): Candidates are requested to bring their own singers. If this is not possible, a singer will be provided after timely notification and consultation. In this case, the works to be prepared will be chosen by the department in accordance with the available singers and communicated to the candidate in advance.

Please note: The two oratorio arias will be performed exclusively by singers from the department. There is the opportunity for a brief rehearsal.

All applicants whose first language is not German must prove their German skills by the time of enrolment at the latest.

• Required language level: at least A2 (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages GER 2001)
• Information on the approved language certificates can be found HERE

Exam A - Audition to determine artistic aptitude: 1.7.-4.7.2025
Exam B - German language skills: certificate (to be presented upon enrolment)

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.