Bachelor of Music -
Catholic Church Music

Study with corners and cantatas.

The Bachelor of Music Catholic Church Music program comprehensively prepares students for the diverse requirements of the profession of church musician. The focus is on instruction in choral and orchestral conducting, artistic and liturgical organ playing, as well as piano and voice. In addition, music-historical, -theoretical and theological subjects are taught. The program develops the artistic personality and provides comprehensive skills in the various areas of ensemble conducting and organ playing. In addition, extensive instrumental and vocal skills are taught and a broad background knowledge of theology, music theory and musicology is acquired.

If you have any questions about the program, please contact the appropriate contact person(s).

Basic information

Degree	Bachelor of Music
Period of study	8 Semester
Course begin	Sommer- und Wintersemester
ECTS points	240 Credits
Continuing study options	Master of Music Church Music (Catholic)

Impressions from the study program

Kammerchor beim proben in der Trinitatiskirche.

Kleines Ensemble vor dem Altar der Trinitatiskirche.

Special features of the study

The program is characterized by its high number of subjects prescribed by the Church, which means that the program has a strong interdisciplinary orientation from the outset.

Application and aptitude test

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Applications are submitted online via the muvac platform. All information on the procedure can be found on our application page.

Admission requirements

General university entrance qualification or a comparable university entrance qualification
Proof of a TestDaF 3 language certificate for non-German-speaking applicants
Successfully passed aptitude test

Qualifying examination

The aptitude test takes place in two parts.

Artistic-practical examination in the subjects choral conducting, singing and speaking, organ literature, organ improvisation and piano ( duration in total approx. 60 minutes)
Written (duration: 60 minutes) and oral (duration: approx. 15 minutes) examination in the subject of aural training.

Detailed information can be found in the Qualifying Examination Regulations, especially in the appendix for content requirements and conduct of the examination. Application for the course can be made for the winter semester as well as for the summer semester. The application deadline is either 01.03. (winter semester) or 01.10. (summer semester) each year.

Course of studies and examination regulations

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The program is divided into a basic study period (1st and 2nd year) with a high proportion of compulsory modules and a differentiated main study period (3rd and 4th year). The seven main modules form the structural framework in the interdisciplinary network:

Core module
Artistic-practical context
Education
Mediation
Professionalization
Bachelor thesis / Interdisciplinary project
Supplement

Instruments

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The following organs are used in the college for practice and lessons:

Klais/Thomas III/47
Schuke - III/38
Ahrend - II/19
Cavaille Coll/Mutin - II/12
Eule - III/6 (various alternating loops)
Rohlf - II/5

Outside the university there are possibilities to use various instruments of the diverse Cologne church landscape. In particular:

St. Kunibert, Kuhn - III/42
Trinitatiskirche, Klais - III/44, inauguration January 2010
Cathedral, Klais - IV/89 and III/53 (students of the university play regularly at the weekday noon prayers in the cathedral)

Prospects after graduation

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The church music degree courses at the university offer you a broad and comprehensive musical education. This qualifies you to take on outstanding positions in church music on the one hand, but also to specialize, for example by taking up Master's courses in the diverse subjects of church music studies.