Master of Music -
Piano

Professionalizing your own game.

The two-year program in piano leading to the degree of Master of Music serves primarily to refine and internalize knowledge of diverse musical styles and their realization on the modern instrument. A high degree of personal responsibility is expected. Competitions, projects and cooperations, versatile public performances as well as the exploration of different concert formats enable students to find their position in the musician*s professional field.
Complementary master's programs offer the opportunity to focus on specific epochs and to explore particular playing techniques, philosophies, and aesthetic characteristics.

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

Basic information

Degree	Master of Music
Period of study	4 Semester
Course begin	Wintersemester
ECTS points	120 Credits
Major subjects	Historisches Tasteninstrument, Klavier
Continuing study options	Master of Music Historical instruments & baroque singin, Concert exam

Impressions from the study program

Unterrichtssituation Klavier mit zwei Studierenden.

Blick von oben auf eine Studierende die Klavier spielt.

Unterrichtssituation Klavier mit Professorin und Studierender in Wuppertal

Special features of the study

At the Hochschule für Musik und Tanz Köln, you can expect not only 187 Steinway grand pianos intended for teaching or your exercises, but also our collection of 19th century keyboard instruments. Historical instruments by famous piano makers such as Pleyel, Erard, Broadwood or Conrad Graf are available for occasional lessons. They thus allow an authentic examination of 19th century works. If interested, there is also the possibility for historically inspired artistic exchange with our Institute for Historically Informed Interpretive Practice.
The Institute for New Music with the Studio for Electronic Music allows an examination of the specific notation and playing techniques of contemporary literature and a deepening of this knowledge.

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

Proof of successful completion of a four-year Bachelor's degree with piano as the main artistic subject or a comparable degree from a conservatory, university or equivalent institution.
Students who have not obtained their degree at a German-speaking institution must prove that they have sufficient German language skills (min. level A2 according to the European Framework of Reference).
Successfully passed aptitude test.

Qualifying examination

The aptitude test consists of an artistic-practical examination in the main subject piano (duration approx. 20 minutes). Detailed information can be found in the aptitude test regulations, especially in the appendix for content requirements and conduct of the test. For the artistic courses of study, we recommend that you contact the main subject teacher of your choice in good time; you will be gladly advised personally.

Course of studies and examination regulations

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The course of study provides for four modules. The core area (Module 1) with the main subject teaching is supplemented by the module artistic-practical context and an elective area. Module 4 concludes the program with the master's thesis or project.