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 an active participation.

In a total of four course periods, the International Summer Academy offers intensive one-week masterclasses with renowned lecturers and numerous supplementary additional offerings. Included are:

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

• Certificate

The registration period begins on February 1 and ends on April 1, 2025. We ask for your understanding that late registration is not possible.

Necessary documents for registration:

• To register, you must upload a video of a piece of your choice (best possible representation of your abilities, no mandatory repertoire).
• Please submit the chosen repertoire for the masterclass in the field "Repertoire" in the online registration mask.
• Attention: Registration does not mean a guaranteed admission to the masterclass!
• Faculty members decide on the basis of the video about the active admission to the masterclass.  

Additional courses can also be booked via online registration.

There is a right of cancellation within 14 days after conclusion of the contract: entire fee will be refunded. If the cancellation is made by April 1, 2025, the course fee will be refunded. If the cancellation takes place after April 1, 2025, the course fee can only be refunded in justified exceptional cases.

After the application deadline, the faculty members will review all applications and decide upon acceptance based on the provided video.

We will inform you about your acceptance status as soon as possible via Email.

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

1. Get re-booked into a different masterclass upon availability. We will suggest an alternative via Email.
2. Passive participation as a guest listener. You get the difference between course fee and listener pass reimbursed.
3. Cancel your booking. You get the entire course fee reimbursed.

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

No, accommodation is not included in the course fees. We kindly ask you to book accommodation on your own. You can find a list of private options in the download area of the online registration.

Numerous concerts take place within the framework of the Summer Academy: Concerts by teachers, studio concerts, guest performances as well as the final concerts of the best participants of the respective course period. In addition, an extensive supporting program is offered.

The singer Lilli Lehmann began private singing courses in the rooms of the Mozarteum in the summer of 1916, thus establishing the beginning of the International Summer Academy of 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, theater and dance, and between 1940 and 1944 as the "Summer Academy for Foreigners at the Mozarteum". After 1945 it was reorganized by Bernhard Paumgartner, and since 1947 it has borne the present name "International Summer Academy Mozarteum University". Its previous directors were 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.