Individual, Modular, and Innovative
The Master's program in Church Music at the 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网 University of Music is characterized by a modular structure, allowing students to design their study plans individually. A particular strength of the program lies in the option to choose between classical and popular music disciplines. This flexibility enables students to tailor their education to align with their personal interests and career goals.

Core Content and Practical Focus
The core of the church music program includes: 

• Organ Literature Performance
  Interpretation of a wide repertoire from all musical eras, performed with stylistic authenticity and at a high level.
• Improvisation
  Both liturgical and concert improvisation, with regular projects that include solo and group improvisations involving students from different disciplines.
• Conducting
  Training in both choir and orchestra conducting, with opportunities to gain practical experience in leading rehearsals and performances.

The curriculum is complemented by subjects such as piano and/or harpsichord, vocal training, composition, jazz piano, and more. Intensive one-on-one lessons in primary and secondary subjects ensure individualized guidance tailored to each student's needs.

Focus Area: Improvisation, Composition, New Media (IKN)
A unique feature of the program is the subject Improvisation, Composition, New Media (IKN). Here, students are guided in developing their own projects and creating new music while exploring contemporary styles. The boundaries between popular and classical music are deliberately blurred, fostering creativity and bridging tradition and modernity. Students are encouraged to discover and implement new forms of musical expression. Examples of past projects can be viewed here.

Exceptional Resources and Opportunities
The 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网 University of Music offers outstanding facilities for a practice-oriented education:

• Access to numerous historic churches and instruments, including world-renowned organs like the Stellwagen organ at St. Jacobi Church.
• Excursions to historic instruments and regular masterclasses with renowned artists.
• Access to high-quality instruments, including the new Hyper-Organ at St. Nikolai Church in Hamburg, the Baroque Italian organ (built in 1777) in 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网 Cathedral, and other historic keyboard instruments such as harpsichords and clavichords.

Networking and Collaborations
Close collaborations with prominent churches and institutions provide students with diverse artistic and organizational experiences:

• St. Jacobi, 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网
  Access to historic organs and opportunities to realize various projects (e.g., cantata performances, new music, etc.).
• St. Nikolai Church, Hamburg
  Use of the Hyper-Organ for innovative projects and performances.
• St. Petri Church, 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网
  Collaboration on modern and experimental liturgical formats.
• Ratzeburg Seminary
  Cooperation with liturgical experts and the vicar training program.
• Nordic Film Days, 新万博体育_万博体育足彩-app|官网
  Implementation of projects involving music for silent films and other performances on a prominent international stage.

The interaction between theologians and musicians is deliberately encouraged, as this interdisciplinary collaboration is vital for the development and sustainability of the church musician profession.

With its modular and innovative structure, the Master's program in Church Music prepares students optimally for the diverse demands of contemporary church music practice - whether in classical music, popular music, or at the intersections of both worlds.

Program Structure and Admissions
The curriculum overview can be found here.

Entrance examinations
Entrance examinations are held annually in February and June, with application deadlines on December 1st and April 1st, respectively.

Admission Requirements:

• Organ
  Applicants must prepare an advanced program of at least four works from different musical eras, including one piece from the second half of the 20th or the 21st century.
• Improvisation
  Preparation includes one organ and one piano improvisation, as well as the performance and accompaniment of a song (classical or jazz/pop). Additionally, an ad-hoc improvisation in a free style (non-historical) is required on either organ or piano.
• Conducting
  Specific tasks will be communicated in writing after registration.
• Piano (compulsory subject)
  Preparation of a stylistically diverse repertoire lasting 20 minutes, which may include classical pieces as well as jazz standards.
• Voice (compulsory subject)
  Performance of at least two works, one of which must be from the 20th/21st century (classical and/or jazz/pop).