Music design

The Bachelor's degree programme in Music Design generally accepts ten new students each year in the winter semester. The admission process is divided into two phases: an initial phase involving the assessment of the application portfolio and a second phase at the Trossingen State University of Music.

• Application tasks: The application process begins on 1 February each year with the publication of two Application tasks. 
• Application portfolio: Submit your application portfolio via the application portal between 1 March and 1 April. In addition to general documents, your application portfolio should contain:
  • A letter of motivation, which should include a chronological overview of your musical career to date, with information about self-taught and formally acquired skills (instrumental practice, composition, audio technology, producing, ensemble activities, etc.) as well as any publications, competition successes, etc. 
  • The processing of both Application tasks.
  • A diverse range of your own work, covering as wide a stylistic spectrum as possible. This could include composed or improvised pieces of music, sound designs, collages, songs, film or game soundtracks, audiovisual works, radio plays, interactive audio, sound installations and other formats. Maximum number: 5.
  • Applicants are free to choose the style and form of their media submissions (application task and own work). Accepted formats are MP3, WAV, AIFF, MP4 and MOV. Scores may also be included (if available). All media submissions must be accompanied by a ½ DIN A4 page description in 12-point font, stating: The year of creation (for own work). What idea/concept is the composition based on? Were the sounds used recorded or do they come from libraries? What was recorded/sung acoustically, were software instruments used (if so, which ones)? What methods of (digital) sound design were used and why? If other people were involved in the audio samples: list all participants, stating their respective contribution to the overall work.

Your application will be reviewed, and suitable candidates will be invited to attend an entrance examination in Trossingen (around mid/late May). This examination includes:

• Colloquium (approx. 5 min.) You answer questions about your application and the audio samples you submitted, or discuss a piece of music that is played for you.
• Ear training and theory (approx. 5 min.) You can choose between jazz/pop or classical-oriented tasks, such as: One-voice melodies are either written down, repeated through singing or playing on an instrument of your choice; listening to simple chords: number of notes (two, three and four notes), intervals, distinguishing between major and minor triads. Rhythms played are either notated, clapped or spoken. A melody is invented independently (sung or played on an instrument) to a given chord progression. Repeating melodies through playing or singing, hearing and recognising intervals and chords, clapping or speaking rhythms, developing your own melodies to given chords.
• Live performance of your own piece (2–4 min.) You perform a piece of music or sound that you have composed yourself. Instruments and style are freely selectable; the creative achievement must be recognisable, explainable and reproducible. It is not sufficient to play a prepared sequence arrangement or to simply switch on or modulate pre-produced material at the touch of a button. You must be an interactive part of the performance yourself.
• Presentation of results (2–4 mins) Within a preparation time of 2.5 hours, you will independently develop your own sound piece based on a selection of different themes (poem, image, film, etc.) and present the result. All instruments, voice, laptop, live performance or sounding objects are permitted.

All parts of the examination must be passed.
 

Information on the application process:  hfm-trossingen.de/en/application
Legally binding information on the entrance examination:  Enrolment regulations