Admission requirements for BA studies - Classical Singing

 

 

I. MAIN SUBJECT

 

1. General admission requirements:

 

- Voice qualities suitable for training.

- Musical talent - good aural skills, rhythm, etc.

- Performing skills - acting, formation of melodies, etc.

 

2.

 

- One old Italian baroque song.

- One Viennese classical song.

- Two romantic songs.

- Two Hungarian songs - one Kodály folksong arrangement and one art song.

 - One art song or aria at the choice of the candidate.

 

II. COMPULSORY SUBJECTS

 

A. SOLFEGE, MUSIC THEORY

 

General requirements: in-depth understanding of the theory of classical harmony (diatonic and chromatic triads and seventh-chords). Writing and playing of four-part harmonic progressions in closed position with appropriate voice-leading (see rules of keyboard harmony); knowledge of Baroque and Viennese classical forms and genres.

 

Written examination

 

1. Dictation of a short chorale excerpt by J. S. Bach. Expectations: notation of the outer parts (soprano and bass); indication of the harmonic progression with figures above or below the bass line (figured bass)

2. Writing out, in close voicing, of a four-part harmonic progression (Roman and Arabic numerals of keyboard harmony are used)

3. Dictation of a tonal two-part musical excerpt.

4. Dictation of an atonal twentieth-century musical excerpt.

5. Dictation of a two- three- and four-part harmonic progression series (ca. 10 intervals, triads or seventh chords).

6. Dictation of the rhythm of an atonal musical excerpt (ca. 6 measures). 

 

Oral examination

 

1. Playing (on the keyboard) of four-part harmonic progressions in closed position with appropriate voice-leading.

2. Assessment of the applicant’s knowledge of form on the basis of a detailed formal analysis of the musical pieces performed at the instrumental audition. Extra copies of the scores have to be provided by the applicant.

3. Sight-singing of a tonal melody in unison.

4. Recognition and singing of intervals, triads and seventh-chords on a given pitch.

 

B. PIANO AS COMPULSORY SUBJECT

 

1. Bach: a short prelude of higher difficulty level or a two-part invention.

2. A movement from a classical sonata, or a sonatina movement of the same difficulty level.

3. Bartók: one piece from ”Microcosmos III” or from the 2nd edition of ”For Children”.

4. A solo piece of the above difficulty level.

 

C. FOLK MUSIC

 

Informal conversation about the folk music of the candidate's country.

 

 

  
Liszt virtually created the "masterclass", a concept that still flourishes today. He believed that young masters would find one another artistically stimulating and that the competitive climate would raise artistic standards. (Alan Walker)