You should enjoy and be interested in 20th and 21st century music as well as different cultures.  In addition, you should already possess very good instrumental and vocal skills. Also important is the ability and the desire to present yourself on stage, as well as the desire to exchange musical expertise with others.

Additionally, applicants should be able to read sheet music and to sight-read music fluently, be proficient in another instrument, and have prior knowledge of aural training and music theory.

Passing the aptitude test is obligatory.

Students complete a wide-ranging jazz and pop program at the Mainz School of Music, designed to help them become artistically accomplished and socially responsible musicians. The content of the program of study focuses on the artistic major and minor, instrumental or vocal pedagogy, and ensemble practice. You will also take courses in aural training, music theory and history, and stage performance.

At the end of the fourth semester, you will choose whether to focus the second half of your studies on preparing for a primarily artistic career or for teaching. Choosing the teaching track means placing greater emphasis on the specialization of your subject-specific teaching skills.

The program includes required courses in the following areas:

• Artistic training in your instrumental/vocal major and minor
• Concert pedagogy/stage performance
• Ensemble
• Big band
• Improvisation
• Jazz theory
• Piano practice
• Aural training
• Music notation software
• Music comprehension
• Music history
• Music education/subject didactics
• Music production
• Songwriting
• Music market analysis
• Needs analysis
• Arrangement and composition

The standard 8 semesters of study will conclude with the organization and performance of a concert.

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

A work placement of at least two weeks, as well as a teaching internship, are mandatory.

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.

The program of study primarily trains you to become a full-time jazz and/or pop musician. Additionally, professional fields in music education, musical and instrumental teaching, as well as composition and production are open to you.

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.