Admission requirements for BA studies - Orchestral and Choir Conducting

 

•    good aural skills

•    classical harmony studies

•    playing the piano at least on a medium level

 

 

1. MAIN SUBJECTS

 

1.1. Orchestra conducting:

 

Johannes Brahms: Variations on a Haydn theme, op. 56a

 

1.2. Choir conducting:

 

Reneissance

•    J. Bennet: Weep o mine eyes (Invitation to madrigals 2, Stainer and Bell, London)

•    T. Morley: Springtime mantles every bough (Invitation to madrigals 1, Stainer and Bell, London)

Romanticism

•    F. Mendelssohn: Die Primel, Op. 48/2. (Edition Peters)

•    F. Mendelssohn: Neujahrslied, Op. 88/1. (Edition Peters)

20th century

•    Kodály Zoltán: Köszöntő (mixed choir)

•    Bartók Béla: Héjja, héjja, karahéjja

 

The candidate must have an indepth knowledge of the pieces from memory. The candidated will conduct and, if necessary, correct and rehearse with the choir present at the audition – one piece from each of the above styles.

 

2. SINGING:

 

•    Presentation of two art songs or folk song arrangements with piano accompaniment of contrasting character and style with piano accompaniment - from memory.

 

The university will provide the piano accompanist, but the candidate may also bring one.

 

3. SCORE READING:

 

 Presentation of 2 or 3-part examples from „Olivér Nagy: Partitúraolvasás, partitúrajáték” – knowing the alto and tenor keys is necessary.

 

 

4. 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.

 

4.1 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). 

 

4.2 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.

 

5. PIANO AS COMPULSORY SUBJECT

 

•    Bach: 2 piefces from the Three-part Inventions, or a prelude of fugue from the Wohltemperiertes Klavier,

•    A full sonata by Haydn, Mozart or Beethoven,

•    Two solo pieces – one has to be by Bartók or by his comtemporaries

 

6. FOLK MUSIC

 

 

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

 
The Academy is housed in a magnificent building and its beautiful, art-nouveau concert hall has marvellous acoustics for solo recitals and chamber-music performances. (Sir Georg Solti)