Marko Markanović has been studying guitar performance at the mdw since October 2023. It took a few attempts before everything fell into place. In 2018, he took the entrance examination for guitar performance and was faced with tough competition, with some forty applicants competing for a single spot. That time, it didn’t work out for Marko. As a student at Sarajevo’s Music Academy, he applied for a semester abroad at the mdw in 2021 and was accepted, but because he lacked the necessary financing, he had to cancel. Finally, an Erasmus agreement between the mdw and the Music Academy in Sarajevo was made, and in October 2022, Marko became the first exchange student from his home university to study at the mdw. It was challenging from the very first day: “I arrived in Vienna on a Monday at one o’clock in the morning and first had to find my student residence. That same day was the audition for chamber music for Erasmus students. Everyone had to play a 2- to 3-minute piece in front of eight instructors. The students were initially a bit taken aback by this requirement and by the situation”, recalls Marko. But Marko passed the audition and became part of a chamber-music ensemble. His first class lesson made a deep impression on him: “The lesson began at eight in the morning, and no one complained about it. We played for seven or eight hours and it never got boring. The quality of the instruction was very apparent to me from the very beginning.”

At the beginning of his semester in Vienna, he also met two other Erasmus students in front of the Studies Center and became good friends with them: Jan from Poland and Jack from Scotland. Together, they took advantage of everything that Vienna, one of the world’s cultural metropolises, has to offer: “We attended a lot of concerts at the Musikverein and operas at the Staatsoper—and went to the clubs, too. We explored the city, and there is probably nothing in Vienna that we didn’t see”, recalls Marko. He is still in touch with both of them, although they no longer study at the mdw. “The friends you make through Erasmus you have for the rest of your life”, says Marko.

Despite all the extracurricular activities, the focus was always on the intensive instruction. “At the mdw, students are treated like professional musicians. The teachers are of the highest level one can reach as a musician, and they give us insights into their experience as professional performers. Their advice is incredibly valuable”, Marko remarks.

Particularly enriching for Marko were the concerts where students from various departments and curricula—such as instrumental and vocal education, voice, and popular music—perform together. The feedback provided by teachers from the different departments was important for Marko. “Every teacher wants to convey to you that the stage is your life. In view of this, it is important to learn how to deal with stage fright.” Teachers and students from other departments showed Marko different perspectives on music and on stage presence. His advice to incoming students: “Accept every project that is offered to you, even things you never thought you would do. Erasmus is usually a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It is important to step out of your comfort zone.” It is also beneficial to learn German ahead of time—even if it is not required. “It makes it easier to meet people for joint projects”, says Marko. And, of course, one should take advantage of Vienna’s cultural offerings and attend the events put on by the mdw: “It’s best to have a look at the mdw’s calendar of events every day so you don’t miss anything.”

Very soon after the beginning of his semester abroad, Marko spoke with his professor, Alexander Swete, about the entrance examination he ; five years to become a real mdw student. I am still impressed by the size and organisation of the university and the friendliness of all the people who work here.” Football fan Marko makes this comparison:

A music student passing the entrance examination at the mdw is like a football player signing with Real Madrid.

He discovered his love for the guitar through his older brothers, who played in a band. So there was always a guitar and a bass guitar around at home. At school, he learned to play guitar and came into contact with classical music. After graduating from a music high school, he was accepted at Sarajevo’s Music Academy, where he studied for four years. Now, at the age of 25, he is looking at his future path: “My goal is to teach at a university and have a performing career. The next ten years are crucial for achieving this. In any case, for the duration of my studies here, I have mentors and the greatest university in the world of music.”

Particularly as a musician, the guitarist feels like Vienna is the right place for him. “Everywhere you go, you see people with their instruments. Being a musician is a respected career here.” Vienna’s cityscape motivates Marko as well: “Seeing all the statues and the streets named for famous musicians or other celebrated artists gives me a push to continue my career in music, especially in times when there is a lot of pressure.”

Text: Isabella Gaisbauer