There is a two-stage process:
After a preliminary selection (application videos and portfolio), the examination board (main subject lecturers and major programme directors or their representatives) decides on a selection of candidates who will be invited to Zurich for the aptitude test.
The examination comprises three sections:
Instrumental audition (tuba) and interview
Duration: ca. 20 minutes, individual
Artistic performance
Candidates are required to play prepared repertoire of 3–5 pieces/movements from at least 3 different periods, including one piece/movement composed after 1950.
The Admissions Committee will listen to a selection of material.
Candidates are expected to perform pieces/movements of at least medium difficulty.
Interview:
The audition is followed by an interview with the committee. The topics include: Your musical life and career so far, your musical and artistical plans and visions, your request for the principal study teacher and the organization of your studies with us. References to the motivation letter submitted with the application is expected.
The Interview can optionally be held in English.
Examination panel for part 1
The panel comprises lecturers from the relevant major and the head of programme or its representative.
On request, ZHdK will provide an accompanist for the instrumental/vocal examination (prior rehearsals are not possible). → Application form
- Written examination in music theory
Duration 2 hours, individually on a computer.
Content- Identification of intervals (up to the octave, both notes played simultaneously)
- Identification of triads (tonal triads, all inversions, played in four parts).
- Melody dictation (upper voice and bass voice)
- Rhythm dictation
- Aural analysis: describing short musical excerpts from the 15th–21st centuries
- Score analysis: Describing short score excerpts from the 15th–21st centuries.
- Written realization of a simple figured bass in four-part harmony (triads only, in all inversions, including dominant chords with suspensions).
- Harmonic analysis of a four-part texture (triads only, in all inversions, including dominant chords with suspensions).
→ A sample exam can be found here.
- Integrated aptitude test
Duration 40 minutes in groups of 3-4 candidates each
Content- Group improvisation:
- The group improvisation examination is conducted as a series of continuous solo and duo improvisations and is concluded with a trio improvisation.
- The improvisation is free, ie. not bound to a particular style.
- Assessment criteria are musical communication skills, empathy, spontaneity, imagination, rhythmic security, reliable ear, and instrumental realization.
- Duration: approx. 5 minutes.
- Theory skills:
- Keyboard skills: A simple bass line is given in a major or minor key with up to three accidentals. The left
- hand plays this bassline while the right hand adds the corresponding triads.
- Sight-reading of rhythms in simple (3/4, 4/4 etc.) and compound (6/8, 9/8 etc.) meters. The rhythm is spoken on an arbitrary syllable while the pulse is tapped.
- Sight-singing of tonal and atonal melodies.
- Sight-singing of a part of a Bach chorale (women: alto; men: tenor or bass), the remaining three parts will be played on the piano by the examiner.
→ You can find more information about the required theory skills here.
Examination panel for part 2 and 3
The panel comprises ZHdK lecturers in music theory.