Artistic Music Production (master’s)

The master’s program in Artistic Music Production is offered by the Institute of Music and Media (IMM).

This degree program includes the following two majors:

     Classical Acoustic Music Production
     Jazz and Pop Music Production

Admission to the program is for one of these two majors. The prerequisite is successful completion of the proficiency test for the concentration chosen.

The master’s program in Artistic Music Production aims at deepening and perfecting the ability to carry out artistically independent and methodically well thought out professional work in the field of artistic music production. In the course of their four-semester program, the students refine their sound aesthetics and thus acquire the ability, in dialogue with musicians or ensembles, to adequately implement artistic-musical ideas by various means. This goal is also reflected in the structure of the program, which is based on three complementary and interrelated strands:

1. The focus is on practical production work: In the course of their studies, students carry out a large number of smaller and more extensive music productions in their particular specialization. This covers the entire range of relevant genres (from chamber music to opera or from rock/pop combos to big bands) and formats (studio recording, live recording, surround recording, audio-video production).

However, the skills of the students are deliberately not restricted to their chosen field of study, whether Artistic Acoustic Music Production or Jazz and Pop Music Production. Joint productions by students from both concentrations, as well as independent productions from the non-major field of specialization are planned.
The largely independent production work is accompanied by a support colloquium, in which methodological aspects are explored and implemented and/or in-process productions are analyzed and discussed.

2. This area of study is complemented by in-depth training on an instrument or voice studies. In addition to individual instrument or voice instruction, programs in both majors also include work on ensemble performance. On the one hand, this area of study extends the artistic and aesthetic autonomy of the students. On the other hand, it also complements their artistic production work, because the artistic empathy necessary for this work arises not least from personal experience performing music at a high artistic level.

3. Finally, a third focus of the program of study is devoted to teaching and extending the ability of students in technical methodology and musical analysis. Among other topics, students explore the most recent methods of music production, reflect on their possible uses and apply them in their own practice. In addition, they acquire and extend their ability to classify musical works (including those of the other main concentration) historically and aesthetically, and to work out the resulting consequences for production work.

Special focus is given to aural skills in music. Also known as “ear training,” aural skills focus not only on grasping the formal structure of works of music, but especially on analyzing, discussing and evaluating the interpretations of repertoire in production work. Acoustics and technical ear training are also of key importance.

Detailed information about the sequence and contents of the program is available in the module overview for the master’s program in Artistic Music Production.

Full-time instructors

Major: Classical Acoustic Music Production: Prof. Dagmar Birwe
Major: Jazz/Pop Music Production: Prof. Dieter Falk, Prof. Jens Dreesen

Proficiency test

In both majors, the proficiency test for the master’s program in Artistic Music Production involves the evaluation of work samples to be submitted in advance as well as completion of an instrumental/vocal audition. In addition, there is a practical task in the intended major as well as written examinations of musical and technical hearing ability: Requirements for the Artistic Music Production master’s program.

Proficiency in German

International applicants must possess adequate German language skills. The B2 certificate (according to the Goethe Institute classification system) or a comparable qualification is required. This also applies to direct enrollment in a higher semester.

Commencement of studies and application deadlines

In the Artistic Music Production master’s program, studies can commence in the winter or the summer semester. The application deadline is March 1. The date-of-receipt stamp of the university applies.

Applying

Applications must be submitted online, along with access to the online application portal Muvac. Further information can be found here (German).

Further Information

Questions about the academic program will be answered by subject tutors and the Registrar’s Office.