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Music Schools and Programs in Germany

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Music Studies in Germany

Are you a music student who has always dreamed of studying abroad in a country like Germany?  If so, you may be pleased to know that the country currently has many available international offerings, programs that allow students to live and study for a semester or year while earning valuable credits toward their undergraduate or graduate degree in the fields of music and music history.
 
Germany, or in official circles, the Federal Republic of Germany, is a federal parliamentary republic located in western-central Europe, consisting of 16 distinct states, with Berlin serving as the capital and largest city.  Germany encompasses an area of nearly 138,000 square miles (357,021 sq. km) and has largely a temperate seasonal climate, with warm summers and cool to cold winters.  With a population of some 81 million, it is the most populous member state of the European Union.  Germany is the major economic and political power of the European continent and a historic leader in many cultural, theoretical and technical fields.

Germany is a highly developed country with a very high standard of living, featuring comprehensive social security that includes the world's oldest universal health care system. Germany has the world's fourth-largest economy by nominal Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the fifth-largest by purchasing power parity. As a global leader in several industrial and technological sectors, it is the second-largest exporter and third-largest importer of goods in the world. Known for its rich cultural and political history, Germany has been the home of many influential philosophers, music composers, scientists, and inventors, with much of its success owed to the excellence of its education system and highly-touted universities.

Music Education in Germany
 
Music education in Germany is offered by the great majority of its higher education institutions, leading to degrees at the undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate level.  Recently, the country adopted the provisions set forth by the Bologna Declaration, an educational reform measure aimed at standardizing the credit and degree structure at universities throughout the European Union.  As a result of these changes, each academic year is now worth 60 credits, and the degree system is as follows:
 
  • Undergraduate.  Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees generally span 3 years for full-time students, the time it takes to earn 180 credits.  Although no official degree is conferred at the conclusion of this stage, students who successfully complete it become eligible to pursue their graduate degree.
  • Graduate.  Graduate or Master’s Degrees in Germany generally take 2 additional years to complete, or 120 additional credits.  Some programs, such as engineering and other advanced courses of study may take an additional year to complete.
  • Post-graduate studies.  Exceptional students who want to pursue their education beyong the Master’s degree level are free to apply to one of the country’s doctoral or PhD programs, which can span anywhere from 3-6 years.  Admission requirements for these programs are determined by the individual institutions and the music program faculty.
 
Students pursuing a Music or Music History degree in Germany will encounter both general education and subject-specific courses related to the music field.  Examples of music-specific courses include:
 
  • Chromatic Harmony
  • Introduction to Music History
  • Musical Theater Workshop
  • Concert Chorale
  • Intermediate Brass
  • Introduction to Music Technology
  • History of Opera
  • History of Eastern Music
  • Jazz Vocal Ensemble
  • Women in Music
  • And many more…
 
Students pursuing a Master’s or PhD in music must, in addition to their coursework, complete a capstone Master’s thesis or Doctoral dissertation and present their paper to the program faculty before completing their studies.

Why Study Abroad in Germany

In addition to hosting several renowned universities and esteemed music schools, Germany is also home to some of the greatest sites and attractions in the world.  Whether you’re passionate about history, art, culture or just the great outdoors, Germany has everything you need to make this educational sojourn the experience of a lifetime.  Some of the more popular attractions in Germany include:

Neuschwanstein Castle

The most famous of Germany's castles and one of the three commissioned by King Ludwig II, Neuschwanstein Castle is a majestic structure overlooking the scenic Hohenschwangau valley.  If the architecture of this masterpiece seems familiar, it may be because Walt Disney used the Neuschwanstein Castle as his inspiration when designing the Sleeping Beauty Castle for Disneyland.  Hundreds of artisans from around the globe took part in the design of this gorgeous and historic palace, with features that include sweeping turrets, alabaster walls and brilliantly detailed artwork that together tells the story of this beautiful and quite popular German attraction.

Berlin

Berlin, the capital and largest city of Germany, is home to a myriad of sights and attractions to behold, including remnants of the infamous Berlin Wall, which can be found in various parts of the city, and the last remaining city gate, the Brandenburg Gate, which is located along the western end of Unter den Linden Boulevard. Those with a fondness for history will want to visit the Charlottenburg Palace, the oldest surviving Prussian palace; and the Soviet War Memorial, featuring statues bearing tribute to the Russian soldiers who died fighting Hitler during World War II.  Apart from these historic sites, Berlin also hosts one of Europe’s largest zoos, with over 13,000 different animal species, and a countless number of restaurants, bars and nightclubs for after-hours fun.

The Romantic Road

With over 220 miles of enchanting vistas, the Romantic Road is one of Germany’s most picturesque attractions.  The famous road winds its way from the River Main, in the north, and southwards towards the famed Alps, passing through a number of walled towns and villages.  Originally a trade route during the Middle Ages, the remnants of the past can be found all along its enchanted roads, with Gothic cathedrals and ancient churches nestled near quaint country inns. The adventurous traveler will find no shortage of gentle farmlands or sprawling forests in which to walk, taking in some of the finest green space Germany has to offer.