• An enthusiasm for song, language, and vocal repertoire
• Strong communicative and cooperative skills
• Good pianistic technique and stylistic awareness
• A joy for teamwork, coaching, and ensemble direction

The entrance requirements for the master’s degree program include proof of a completed bachelor’s degree in music or in a comparable area of study at a higher education institution.

An aptitude test will determine whether you possess the necessary subject-specific skills in order to successfully complete the master’s degree program, in particular your artistic aptitude in the selected vocal or instrumental major as well as sufficient motivation for the program of study.

At the time of enrollment, no more than one year may have passed since you took the aptitude test. The same applies for enrollment in advanced semesters.

More information on the aptitude test can be found in the School of Music’s aptitude test regulations.

If you have not yet received your bachelor’s degree certificate by the application deadline, but have earned at least 135 credits in your bachelor’s program, you must apply by the set deadline with a transcript (certified copy issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

If you have not earned your university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung, HZB) at a German institution or do not have a degree with German as the language of instruction, you must submit proof of sufficient German language proficiency (B1 level). This proof is to be submitted in the form of relevant examination certificates.

Good to know: The legally binding basis for selection, admission and enrollment is the text of the entrance requirements as specified in Section 2 of the currently valid examination regulations and, where applicable, in the appendix.

You can find more information in the master’s degree program’s examination regulations.

Program structure

The master’s degree program offers a broad artistic and practical spectrum. The content of the degree program encompasses song accompaniment on the piano, piano performances for opera and oratorio as well as in-depth work on song interpretation and musical interpretation.

Beyond this, you will study sheet music and basso continuo and will apply your knowledge in various practical modules. This also includes internships in singing lessons, shadowing lessons in the area of repetiteur work, and creating recitatives on the harpsichord.

During the further course of your studies, you will gain insight into teaching, participate in the university’s opera projects, and accompany song and instrumental examinations as well as public recitals. By shadowing lessons at the local state theaters, you will be able to gain insight into the professional world of opera.

The degree course concludes with the master’s examination, which encompasses a module examination and a public examination. This consists of accompanying an evening of songs and arias lasting 60 minutes.

Stays abroad

Would you like to live abroad for a semester or a year? Do you want to learn another language and get to know a new culture? Or gain a different perspective on your particular subject? A stay abroad provides you with the perfect opportunity to achieve this and is possible with every degree program – either self-organized or by taking advantage of one of the popular exchange programs. This is made possible by various cooperation agreements and partnerships with foreign universities.

For more information on this topic, please visit our websites on studying abroad. Visit our student exchange platform for an overview of cooperating universities in your field.

This program of study does not require you to spend time abroad, but you nevertheless have the opportunity to do so.

Stays abroad for Song Accompaniment / Repetiteur Work (M.Mus.) are highly recommended! You will receive individual support from the Mainz School of Music for the planning and implementation.

Internships

As a part of your studies, you must take part a theater internship lasting at least four weeks (e.g. at a music theater or in an opera production) with the director of studies in one of the surroundings state theaters. The optimal time for the internship is after your third semester.

Voluntary internships are another good opportunity to obtain more in-depth insight into a professional field.

An internship allows you to discover whether everyday life in a particular occupation suits your career expectations and interests. You can gain qualifications for a professional field and acquire important professional and personal skills to start a career. An internship helps you both shape your career path, and mold the remainder of your course sequence – in particular by selecting specializations that suit your practical experience.

You can find further information and relevant internships on the Career Service website.

As a graduate of this master’s degree program, you will possess the necessary academic and practical fundamentals in order to work as a professional musician.

In the case of Song Accompaniment / Repetiteur Work (M.Mus.), these include:

• coaching techniques,
• stage rehearsals,
• song and opera repertoire for preludes,
• communication with conductors, singers, and directors.

Typical professional fields for university graduates include:

• Song accompanist for concerts
• Opera accompanist in theaters
• Teacher for song interpretation or repetiteur work at schools of music
• Self-employed musician / repetiteur
• Choir direction
• Music communication
• Work with children/ adolescents in the area of music education

Not sure what to do after graduation? Don’t worry!

A university degree generally does not prepare you for a single profession but qualifies you for a wide range of career paths – for example, in research, in a typical profession related to your field of study, or in one of many other academic fields.

This is why career orientation is also part of your studies. Gaining practical experience is key, and you can do so through internships, working student positions, part-time jobs or voluntary work, for example.

JGU’s Career Service will support you throughout the entire process with information, advice, workshops and numerous events – from career orientation and working on your profile and skills to finding your dream job and successfully applying for it.