Questions about the mdw talent lab
The mdw talent lab offers individual supplementary programmes for interested young musicians at the mdw – in addition to instrumental lessons. Performance opportunities and concert tours are organized, chamber music projects between peers and like-minded musicians are carried out, and special workshops are offered. Our projects enable the young talents to network with other musicians, to motivate each other and to develop their own visions in community. Through the projects, the young talents get first insights into life as professional musicians.
The mdw talent lab’s projects are primarily open to mdw musicians from the Programme for Gifted Children (HBK) between the ages of 6 and 14, from the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) between the ages of 14 and 16, and from the Preparatory Programmes (VBL) between the ages of 16 and 19.
External interested talents from our partner institutions can also participate in certain projects, such as e.g. students of the JSBM in the Young Masters Programme. Prize-winners of the Prima la Musica competition, for example, can participate in the children’s or youth masterclasses (Kinder und Jugend Masterclasses).
Any musician from the Programme for Gifted Children (HBK), the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) and the Preparatory Programme (VBL) of the mdw can participate in the projects of the mdw talent lab. An entrance examination especially for the mdw talent lab is not necessary. However, there are annual “meet the talent lab” meetings where we get to know the young talents and where their needs and wishes are discussed individually.
It depends on the project. Since our musicians are mostly students/pupils of general education schools, our projects take place mainly on weekends, holidays and during vacations.
We send out invitations to our projects by e-mail to the musicians in the Programme for Gifted Children (HBK), the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) and the Preparatory Programme (VBL). You can easily register for these projects by sending an email to talentlab@mdw.ac.at. If you have any questions, you can also contact us at +43 1 711 55 7811.
Classes take place at the institutes and locations of the mdw.
Since our musicians are mostly still students/pupils of general education schools, our projects take place mainly on weekends, holidays and vacations.
In general, classes at mdw are open to the public in agreement with the teacher.
Questions about the projects of the mdw talent lab and the individual support of your child can be sent to us by email or directly by phone:
talentlab@mdw.ac.at,
Tel. +43 1 711 55 7811.
We advise you individually, feel free to contact us: talentlab@mdw.ac.at. Or call us at +43 1 711 55 7811.
No – the talent lab’s offerings merely supplement and enrich the musical and artistic education of young musicians who attend the mdw’s pre-study programmes: Course for Gifted Children (HBK), the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) and the Preparatory Programme (VBL) The mdw’s pre-study programmes are not a substitute for school education. The events and projects take place on a voluntary basis and are subject to available resources.
Questions about the Programme for Gifted Children
The Course for Gifted Children is designed as the first offer of the pre-study area in the university context. Its objective is to provide instrumental tuition for highly gifted children and adolescents.
According to the curriculum, the Course for Gifted Children includes instrumental lessons, ear training and the teaching of basic concepts of music theory as part of instrumental lessons – ZkF: Central Artistic Subject, 2.0 KE), supported by additional projects of the mdw talent lab if necessary.
Information on the content of the Course for Gifted Children can be found on the website of the office of the Dean of Studies for Instrumental Studies.
It is generally possible to set up a meeting/informal audition or lesson with the professors and teachers of the mdw and to get one or more opinions before applying for the formal entrance exams. This is highly recommended. We are also happy to advise you personally on this topic. Please simply write to us at talentlab@mdw.ac.at Or call us on +43 1 711 55 7811.
From the age of 6.
The course lasts until the beginning of the University Programme for the Advancement of the Highly Gifted (HBL) at the mdw University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna, but no longer than until the age of 14 (deadline 31.10. for the winter semester or 31.3. for the summer semester).
There is a fee for the Course for Gifted Children (currently €600 per semester).
Scholarships are available for parents who need financial support for the course fee. Please send inquiries to: Dr. Birgit Buxbaum at buxbaum@mdw.ac.at.
After every two semesters, from the beginning of the course onwards, an audition will be held in front of a committee and will receive a verbal assessment. For this purpose, the teacher of the main artistic subject must keep a course record for each course participant, in which the pieces studied, including for the entrance examination, are to be entered right up to the end of the course.
Should the committee reach a negative assessment of this audition, a control examination can be scheduled, to be held in front of a larger examination committee. Should the examination committee again come to a negative assessment, the student shall be excluded from continuing the course and from being readmitted to it.
Students aged over 12 and under 13 must pass an intermediate examination with an examination programme, which has to encompass a variety of styles. Should the examination committee reach a negative assessment, this examination can be repeated once within a period of up to 6 months. Should the examination committee again reach a negative assessment, the student shall be excluded from continuing the course and from being readmitted. This provision does not apply to participants who are admitted to the course at the age of 13.
Information about the admission requirements of the Programme for Gifted Children can be found on the website of the Office of the Dean of Instrumental Studies.
If you have any questions, please contact Dr.in Birgit Buxbaum at buxbaum@mdw.ac.at.
Participants in the preparatory programmes must enrol each semester via the Study Center. Once the course fee has been paid, registration is complete.
Questions about the university programme for the advancement of gifted children
The courses are not subject to examinations, i.e. there is no separate assessment of performance. However, attendance, participation, preparation at home and the study concerts are assessed. Performance is assessed on a semester-by-semester basis.
Participants in the University Programme of the Advancement of gifted children course must enrol each semester via the Study Center. Once the course fee has been paid, registration is complete.
Admission to the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children requires a positive admission test as well as a minimum age of 14 and a maximum age of 16 (cut-off date: 31.10. for the winter semester and 31.3. for the summer semester). It is therefore possible to start at any semester.
For information and inquiries please contact: Dr. Birgit Buxbaum at buxbaum@mdw.ac.at
All instruments offered at the mdw in the concert programmes are also offered in the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children
You can download detailed information on this in the respective curricula for your instrument under mdw study programs and preliminary studies.
According to the curriculum, University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children includes: a central artistic subject (2.0 KE, individual artistic tuition) and music theory and ear training (0.5 UE; practice). Instrumental lessons including class repetition are offered in the central artistic subject. Additional projects such as ensemble work, chamber music, concerts and workshops, organized by the mdw talent lab, support the training in its entirety. They take place on a voluntary basis and are subject to available resources and places.
Information on registration and entrance examinations can be found on the mdw’s study program page under the preliminary studies and your instrument.
From the age of 14, young musicians can take part in the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children after passing the entrance examination. They can participate until the age of 16.
The University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children provides instrumental lessons for highly gifted young people. The instruments available are Keyboard instruments, string and other stringed instruments as well as wind and percussion instruments, which are taught in the instrumental studies at the mdw – University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna. The advancement of gifted children course offers preparation for the entrance examinations for further studies (e.g. preparatory courses at the mdw).
The University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children is designed to follow on from the highly gifted course as a second pre-study course in a university context and serves as instrumental tuition for highly gifted young people. In terms of promoting young talent, the course offers preparation for admission examinations for further studies.
Questions about the Preparatory Programmes
The preparatory programmes prepare particularly talented and interested young people for regular studies at mdw.
The mdw offers Preparatory Programmes for particularly talented young people who have not yet reached artistic maturity or the required age for regular studies.
Young musicians can take part in the Preparatory Programmes from the age of 15 after passing the entrance examination. They can participate until the age of 19 (exceptions: military service, illness, pregnancy, Covid…)
According to the curriculum: (1) Admission to the Preparatory Programmes requires a minimum age of 15 years (cut-off date: 31.10. for the winter semester or 31.3. for the summer semester) and a maximum age of 19 years (cut-off date: 31.10. for the winter semester or 31.3. for the summer semester). In exceptional cases, admission may be granted up to the age of 20 (cut-off date 31.10. for the winter semester or 31.3. for the summer semester) if students can provide evidence of extended school attendance or civilian/compulsory service.
(2) Admission to the Preparatory Programmes also requires proof of artistic aptitude. This is proven by passing the admission examination for this Preparatory Programme or by the recommendation of the admission examination committee for the university course for the promotion of the University Programme for Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) recorded in the minutes.
Information on registration and entrance examinations can be found under programmes of study under Studies- Programmes of Study- Preparatory Programmes- Preparatory Programmes for your instrument.
You can download detailed information on this from the respective curricula for your instrument under programmes of study under Studies- Programmes of Study- Preparatory Programmes- Preparatory Programmes for your instrument.
According to the curriculum, the following examinations must be completed as part of the preparatory courses
(1) A positive assessment in all courses is a prerequisite for completing the course.
(2) A dispensation examination can be taken for the following courses at the discretion of the teacher: Music Theory and Ear Training (VBL) 1-4 UE, Repetitorium General Music Theory (VBL) 1,2 VK
(3) Students who are also students of the Young Artist Institute (YAI) will have the completed school subject Basic Stage Training recognized as a course in Mental Training and Performance Coaching.
Admission to the preparatory programmes is based on an entrance examination.
In the course of an admission examination in front of an examination board, the knowledge of and skills on the instrument and the musical talent are checked under the formal conditions regulated in the mdw statutes section on study law.
All instruments offered at the mdw as concert subjects are also offered as Preparatory Programmes.
Yes, from the age of 15 as part of the preparatory programme for singing.
Further information can be found here: https://www.mdw.ac.at/abi/
If you do not have your own instrument, it is also possible to lend one from the mdw. For this purpose, please contact the respective institute management directly.
The Preparatory Programme serve as preparation for regular studies if the artistic maturity for regular studies or the required age has not yet been reached. They are an additional support to existing musical education such as music school. The mdw is not a substitute for regular school attendance with a school maturity (Matura, Abitur).
Yes, in general it is possible to audition for all mdw teachers. Depending on the individual assessment and depending on the teacher´s capacity, a study place will be allocated after passing the entrance examination. A change of teacher is also possible. Please contact the relevant institutes or mail to: talentlab@mdw.ac.at. for further information.
Registration for more than one instrument is possible for each musician.
Questions about the Young Masters Programme
The Young Masters Programme was created in cooperation between the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna and the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School, which have been working closely together in the field of promotion of gifted students for more than 15 years.
Diverse projects, workshops and concerts – also internationally – have been carried out during this time and the experiences and results are documented. The Young Masters Programme offers young, particularly interested and enthusiastic musicians of both institutions an extended and joint offer to individually support their way to a successful artistic career.
All musicians from the Course for Gifted Children (HBK), the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL) and the Preparatory Programme (VBL), as well as the musicians from the gifted classes of the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School can participate in the Young Masters Programme.
All musicians between the ages of 8 and 19 can take participate in the Young Masters Programme. We invite you to the specific projects according to your age.
Any musician from the Course for Gifted Children (HBK), the University Programme for the Advancement of Gifted Children (HBL), the Preparatory Programme (VBL) and from the gifted classes of the Johann Sebastian Bach Music School can participate in the projects of the Young Masters Programme. Participation is agreed individually between the student and the teachers together with the programme managers.
You can find some examples of the Young Masters projects on our website under “Impressions”.
