Home Study Departments Composition & Music Theory

Composition & Music Theory

Overview

The Department of Composition and Music Theory explores contemporary forms of instrumental and electroacoustic composition and explores scholarly, artistic, and pedagogical approaches to music and styles of all periods. Teaching and musical education at the highest level is offered to students of all majors.

Mirabellplatz 1
5020 Salzburg

About

The close relationship between composition and the performance practice of New Music is encouraged through close cooperation with the Institute for New Music and the international master's programme in New Music.

In the area of music theory, the department not only enables students of all degree programmes to professionalise themselves in music theory, but also offers the possibility of in-depth study and specialisation with full degree programmes in music theory at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Students completing degrees in Instrumental/Vocal Pedagogy can choose to complete the courses required for the supplementary teaching qualification in music theory and aural training for Austrian music schools.

Courses

Music

Composition

Bachelor Master Postgraduate certificate Pre college

Music

International Master New Music (Bern - Dresden - Salzburg)

Music

Music theory

Bachelor Master Postgraduate certificate

News

28.2.2025

Ö1 Talent Exchange: Composition Prize 2025

The Ö1 Talentebörse Composition Prize in the amount of 10,000 euros is awarded by Ö1 and the Oesterreichische Nationalbank (OeNB) and will be announced for the tenth time in 2025. The composition prize is a composition commission for a chamber music work, which may also include electronics.

Open Call
13.1.2025

Marios Joannou Elia receives Excellency Award & Gold Medal of the Republic of Cyprus

Marios Joannou Elia, a graduate of Adriana Hölszky's composition class in 2005, was honoured with the ‘Excellency Award and the Gold Medal of the Republic of Cyprus’.

Awards & Successes
14.11.2024

With Dylan On The Road II

The ‘With Dylan on the Road’ travel grant was conceived for the first time in 2022, enabling artistic teams to travel in the footsteps of Bob Dylan and develop projects. The trips took them to European countries as well as (North and South) American and African countries and brought back a variety of artistic works, from performance to song, from graphic work to theatre pieces, from video installations to artistically sophisticated documentation. With ‘With Dylan on the Road 2’, the Asian region (Japan, Korea, but also Turkey) is now also included in the above-mentioned geographical area, or rather opened up by the ten new artistic-scientific projects.

Student project
24.10.2024

In memoriam Laurence Traiger

His ‘unconditional devotion and love’ for music, as his colleague Howard Arman aptly put it, will always be remembered and continue to inspire the Mozarteum University. Laurence Traiger passed away on 18 October 2024 at the age of 68.

In memoriam

More news

Events

2.4.2025

07:30 pm

Solitär

Studio für Elektronische Musik

Neue Werke von Studierenden des Seminars "Medienkomposition"

Concert
· Free
11.4.—12.4.2025

Music theory workshop

This workshop weekend offers an ideal supplement to your own preparation. In a group rotation principle, all important areas of the licensing exam are taken with a focus on ear training and tone setting.

Workshop
· Free entry (Opens in new tab)
16.5.2025

07:30 pm

Solitär

Ensemblekonzert

mit dem Ensemble für zeitgenössische Musik: 6 Uraufführungen á 10 Minuten von Studierenden des Departments für Komposition (Leitung: Kai Röhrig)

Concert
· Free
18.5.2025

06:00 pm

Solitär

Klavierduo Ernst Surberg & Esther Ropón

7 Werke von Studierenden der Kompositionsklassen

Concert
· Free