You should

• have already mastered the piano to a high level
• enjoy presenting your skills as a pianist on stage
• find joy and be interested in all eras of music
• be able to read music fluently and sight-read
• have fundamental mastery of another instrument
• have previous knowledge of aural training and music theory

You must prove your artistic talent and sufficient music theory skills by passing a aptitude test, which is also used to allocate study spots. Further information on the type, content, and registration procedure for the aptitude test can be found on the website of the Mainz School of Music.

If you do not have a general university entrance qualification (Abitur) or another subject-based university entrance qualification, you can also enter this degree program with a secondary school leaving certificate (Mittlere Reife or comparable qualification), provided you achieve at least 13 points in the aptitude test for your selected major and pass the general aptitude test.

Those who are interested in the program of study but do not have an educational background at a German-language institution must additionally provide proof of sufficient German language skills (at least B2 level).

As part of your studies, you will attend courses from the following subject areas:

• Piano major
• Concert pedagogy / stage performance
• An instrumental minor subject
• Ensemble chamber music and choir
• Music theory
• Music history
• Music communication
• One compulsory elective module from the interdisciplinary study program

The focus of your studies is on piano playing, instrumental pedagogy, and ensemble practice.

You will also take courses in aural training, music theory, and music history in addition to stage performance.

The standard period of study of eight semesters will conclude with a bachelor’s thesis and an artistic-practical examination.

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.

The Bachelor’s degree in Piano is an undergraduate artistic degree course leading to a first academic degree qualifying for a profession.

Not all graduates become soloists. For this reason, a great deal of emphasis is placed on the pedagogical aspect of this course: Teaching − whether in a music school or in a higher education institution such as a university or conservatory − is usually part of your career path as a pianist. You should therefore always take this into account when considering your career.

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.