The studies in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education equips our students to teach their instrument or singing professionally in the future, whether at a music school or through private tuition. The degree courses in this field are organised into various Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes at the HMTM.
In the Bachelor degree course, the courses are named after their main subject (with a focus on a teaching profile).
At Master’s level, students choose either the degree course Instrumental Music Education or Vocal Music Education.
The Bachelor’s degree programme in instrumental performance or with a major in Vocal Studies within the teaching field leads to a first professional qualification as a Bachelor of Music and offers an academic education with a focus on both artistic and pedagogical aspects. The range of subsequent career opportunities as artists, educators, or a combination of both is correspondingly diverse and wide-ranging.
Aims of the degree course
Graduates of the Bachelor’s degree programme in instrumental performance or with a major in Vocal Studies, acquire teaching qualifications of a high professional standard and have developed their artistic identity on their instrument. With their diverse and comprehensive portfolio of skills, they are very well prepared both for the varied demands and requirements of the current job market and for their socially and individually responsible role in music education outreach.
Course content and structure
The programme is designed to last eight semesters with a workload of 240 ECTS credits and comprises a total of 12 modules. In addition to artistic practice, these modules provide in-depth knowledge of instrumental music education in both theory and practice. Courses on teaching practice, as well as on the methodology and didactics of instrumental instruction, are supplemented by placements and practical projects related to the potential career field of music schools. The fundamentals of musicology and music theory are taught, as are research methods; the latter are applied in particular during the final module when writing the Bachelor’s thesis on a topic of the student’s choice. Accordingly, the development of communicative, social and organisational skills, as well as the promotion of personal development and creativity, play a central role in the programme’s structure.
Information on the degree courses (and the instruments or vocal studies) can be found in our course catalogue.
The Master’s programmes in Instrumental and Vocal Music Education (IGP) offer students advanced academic training with a focus on both performance and teaching profile. The range of subsequent career opportunities is correspondingly diverse and wide-ranging, encompassing roles as artists, teachers, or a combination of both.
Aims of the degree course
Upon completing their Master’s degree, IGP graduates possess a high level of artistic ability combined with well-developed skills in music education and music communication, as well as profound knowledge in academic and research methods. The structure of the two programmes is designed to reflect the fact that the profession of music teacher has evolved in recent decades – teachers are moving away from the old role of the all-knowing »master« and are becoming mentoring partners in learning-teaching relationships.
Course content and structure
In this two-year Master’s programme (standard duration: 4 semesters; the degree comprises 120 ECTS credits), skills with a focus on performance and teaching are complemented by expertise in empirical research and interdisciplinary knowledge. In the process, students further develop their artistic identity through their instrument or voice, reflect on teaching strategies, trial and evaluate concert and project formats, and design and carry out their own research projects.
Profiles
The Master’s programmes (M. Mus.) offer a choice of three profiles: A. »Fachberatung (Subject Consultancy)«, B. »Ensembleleitung (Ensemble Conducting)« and C. »Medienkompetenz (Media Competence)«. In all three profiles, students build on the skills and knowledge acquired in previous degree programmes and, depending on their chosen profile and interests, gain qualifications for leadership roles, specialised tasks at music schools and roles within the cultural sector.
Information on the degree programmes (and the instruments available) can be found here:
Master degree course in Instrumental Music Education (in German)
Master degree course in Vocal Music Education (in German)