Is organ improvisation your passion? Would you like to further develop as an artist and acquire the skills needed to work as a concert organist or church musician with additional qualifications? Then the master’s program in Organ Improvisation (M.Mus.) is the right choice for you.

The entrance requirements for the Organ Improvisation master’s degree program include proof of a completed bachelor’s degree in church music, organ, or organ performance, 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 for the master’s degree program, particularly the required musical 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 did not earn your university entrance qualification (Hochschulzugangsberechtigung) at a German institution and do not hold a degree in which German was the language of instruction, you must provide proof of sufficient German language proficiency (A1 level, CEFR). Proof is demonstrated by submitting the appropriate examination certificates or through a conversation with the examination committee as part of the aptitude test.

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 (issued by your university) of all coursework and exams completed to date, including your average grade to date.

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 examination regulations (in German).

Artistic training

• Organ improvisation
• Organ performance
• Organ stylistics
• Harmony, harmonization, analysis of musical works

The focus is always on developing and refining your stylistic profile (e.g., forms of improvisation in early music, contemporary music, and symphonic music).

Qualifying module

In addition to the core artistic curriculum, you can choose your own areas of focus with the help of the electives, for example, by selecting courses in music theory, musicology, or professional development, as well as a project in early or contemporary music.

Master’s degree examination

To complete your degree, you will take both module exams throughout the program and the artistic-practical final exam.

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.

Internships

This program of study does not include a mandatory internship. However, voluntary internships are a great way to gain 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.

During your studies, you will acquire the skills and expertise needed to work as an organist. Graduates therefore often find employment in the following fields:

• Freelance artistic work as a concert organist with a focus on improvisation
• Church music positions
• Teaching at church-affiliated educational institutions

In addition, you will also have the opportunity to begin teaching at music schools or universities (including in disciplines other than your major in organ, such as score reading, basso continuo, harmony, composition, etc.).

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.