Bachelor of Arts in Music Education for Voice and Instruments (IGP) – Harp
Curriculum information at: https://www.mdw.ac.at/1318
Programme objective:
Training of instrumental and vocal music teachers for both institutional and freelance teaching careers. Concludes with a bachelor’s degree examination that represents a fully valid, state-recognised professional qualification.
Teaching activities may include:
Instrumental and/or vocal instruction at educational institutions (music schools, Oberstufenrealgymnasien [specialised upper-cycle academic secondary schools] with instrumental music as a compulsory subject, Gymnasien [classical academic secondary schools] with instrumental music as an elective), and freelance.
Admission criteria:
For the Music Education – Voice and Instruments (IGP) programme, the completion of which represents a fully valid form of professional qualification, a higher level of playing on one’s instrument is expected than for Music Education (ME).
Entrance Examination (corresponds to IME: 1st instrument):
- 1 etude at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
“Bochsa” from 25 Exercises-Etudes op. 62 - 1 sonata at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
J. Parry, Sonata No. 1
J. B. Cardon, Sonata in F - 1 solo work at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
M. Glinka, Nocturne
A. Hasselmans, Prière or Gondoliera, or
C. Saint-Saëns, Fantaisie op. 95
Bachelor’s degree examination (corresponds to IME: bachelor’s degree examination, 1st instrument)
- 1 concerto at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
W. A. Mozart, Concerto for Flute and Harp
G. F. Händel, Concerto in B-Flat Major
C. Saint-Saëns, Morceau de Concert - A multi-movement baroque or classical work at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
J. Parry, 4 Sonatas
G. B. Pescetti, Sonata in C Minor
J. L. Dussek, Sonata in C Minor - 2 solo works at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
V. Mortari, Sonatina Prodigio
N. Rota, Sarabande e Toccata
M. Grandjany, Fantaisie sur un thème de J. Haydn
M. Grandjany, Children’s Hour - 1 chamber music work for any combination of instruments, performed with ensemble and at a level of difficulty equivalent to that of:
C. Saint-Saëns, Fantaisie for Violin and Harp op. 124
C. Bresgen, Serenade for Flute, Horn and Harp
One’s programme must contain 1 contemporary work that differs markedly in style from works that are part of the traditional repertoire.
All solo works, excepting difficult contemporary works, should be played from memory.
One’s chosen artistic programme must be made available in printed form at the examination.
Didactics Examination:
General Examination Criteria:
The didactics examination is meant to reveal a candidate’s comprehensive theoretical and practical knowledge and abilities as well as to facilitate recognition of their ability to think within broader contexts. The concern here is with a sound approach to pedagogical and didactic issues as well as with the ability to work with students as their teacher in a way that makes sense. The candidate should also be capable of demonstrating details of playing technique on an instrument.
At the examination, the applicant must present a list of 12 works that have been prepared with the general examination criteria (see above) in mind; this list must include works suitable for teaching beginners and contain balanced shares of the following content:
Teaching Literature:
a) Harp tutors
b) Technical exercises
c) Etudes
d) Books with pedagogically or didactically relevant content (e.g.:
Lehren und Lernen im Instrumentalunterricht by Anselm Ernst)
Performance Repertoire:
The candidate’s performance repertoire should include works of various eras and
formal genres.
Examination Structure:
This examination consists of two parts:
1) an oral/rhetorical part, and
2) a teaching demonstration together with a student.
Regarding 1): the candidate is permitted to begin the examination by discussing a topic of their own choosing that relates to the provided work list, speaking spontaneously (not reading!).
The examination committee will then ask questions pertaining to further works on the candidate’s list; the answers to these must likewise be spontaneous.
Regarding 2): the candidate should give a demonstration of their teaching conceived to represent not an entire harp lesson but rather an emphasis appropriate to the level of the participating pupil and the material used in the teaching demonstration.
One’s chosen artistic programme must be made available in printed form at the examination.
Exam duration: ca. 45 minutes