Institutions National Overviews

In Germany there are 24 Musikhochschulen and nine Hochschulen für Kirchenmusik (church music). There are also private conservatoires and other Hochschulen, some of which offer degrees in practical music, musicology, or other music-related subjects.

Approximately 22.000.

The 24 Staatliche Musikhochschulen and the majority of German Universities are publicly funded.

The curriculum at the 24 German Staatliche Musikhochschulen and at Universities is regulated by the laws of the respective federal states. Most states require the independent accreditation of degree courses.

Each Institution has its own distinct artistic and pedagogical profile, with differing degrees of concentration on performance, pedagogy or school teacher training in the core genres of Western classical and popular music. Many Hochschulen also offer degree courses or specific modules for Early Music, Contemporary Music, World Music, Intercultural Studies, Music and Gender etc.

The Musikhochschulen offer modularized Bachelor and Masters study programmes in conformity to the Bologna system.

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The ECTS system is nationally implemented.

Most German Musikhochschulen are active participants in the ERASMUS exchange programme and maintain bilateral ties to foreign institutions within and beyond the EU.

Most, but not all, German states require the independent accreditation of degree courses. The national Accreditation Council (Akkreditierungsrat) licenses accreditation agencies, which in turn carry out the actual procedures at the institutions. Depending on the law of the respective federal state, accreditation may relate to individual study programmes or be of a systematic nature for the institution concerned. The accreditation process includes self-evaluation, extensive written reports and inspection visits by external experts on a peer-group basis.

Foreign quality assurance agencies can be recognised by the German Accreditation Council after having demonstrated that they satisfy the requirements of the national framework.

Many graduates in the classical orchestral and vocal disciplines find work in German orchestras, opera houses, churches or music schools. Despite a decline in the number of full-time jobs available in recent years, these institutions remain important potential employers. Opportunities for freelance work in Germany are as precarious as in other Western countries, although self-employed musicians registered with the Artists’ Social Fund (Künstlersozialkasse) enjoy certain subsidized health and pension benefits.

The academic year is divided into 2 semesters, the exact dates of which vary from state to state and in some cases from year to year.

The Winter Semester usually begins in October and ends in February; the Summer Semester generally begins in April and ends in July.

Germany’s many public music schools provide music education to students of all ages and levels of achievement. They are not part of the of the general education system. Most receive substantial public funding at city or state level.
As each federal State (Bundesland) has its own education laws and regulations, there are significant regional differences in the curriculum offered and the fees charged. Instrumental/vocal lessons may be individual or in groups. The provision of subjects such as music theory, aural training or general musicianship varies widely. Most music schools offer their students the opportunity to join an ensemble, band, choir or orchestra.

Private music schools are independent institutions providing music education outside the general education system. They generally do not receive public funding.

The term Konservatorium can refer to a number of different types of institution. Some are essentially music schools (see above); some offer professional training in music performance and teaching; others combine both activities. Some Konservatorien may restrict the age group they serve (e.g. 17-25).

Music Gymnasia combine general secondary education with specialist music teaching at an advanced level. Some have boarding departments. The Music Gymnasia in Berlin, Dresden and Weimar are closely linked to a Musikhochschule, drawing on their staff for music lessons. A number of outstanding Music Gymnasia are affiliated to celebrated church choirs.
Additionally, many other secondary schools provide excellent music teaching either in house or in collaboration with a local music school.

Many professionally qualified teachers offer private instrumental and vocal tuition.

Although all German states stipulate general music teaching to be part of the primary and secondary curriculum, the actual availability and quality of this instruction varies considerably. In some exceptional cases, music is even taught by persons without professional qualifications (Fachfremder Unterricht). The importance of churches as places of music education has declined slightly in recent years due to the general drop in religious observance, nonetheless most larger Catholic and Protestant congregations employ at least one specially trained professional musician.

For specialist amateur musical training, see “Music Colleges“ above.

Although most students entering a Musikhochschule previously attended a music school or received private lessons, a significant minority come from a Konservatorium, a Musikgymnasium; or were already enrolled at a Musikhochschule either at its pre-college department or as a Jungstudent.

The competition for young amateur musicians “Jugend Musiziert” is popular throughout the country. Soloists and ensembles of all age levels can participate at local, regional and national level. There are various prizes to encourage further development, including public performances (in exceptional cases as a soloist with a professional orchestra), master classes and summer courses.

In addition to the orchestras and choirs at primary and secondary schools, music schools and in church congregations, there are Youth Orchestras at local, regional and national level, as well as a large number of amateur instrumental and vocal ensembles of every kind.

Almost every Musikhochschule offers BA and MA degrees in instrumental or vocal music teaching (Musikpädagogik).

Depending on state law and the individual profile of the Musikhochschule, pedagogical training may be offered as specialised BA or MA degree, or as part of a combined degree in musical performance and pedagogy.

Some institutions offer so-called ‘double degrees’ (Doppelfachstudiengänge), in which two full curricula are taught in parallel. These very demanding courses may combine school teacher training with a performance degree, or a degree in music pedagogy combined with a special qualification in church music.

A specific BA in Music Pedagogy will offer a comprehensive curriculum in instrumental or vocal teaching. Increasingly students are expected to learn to work with pupils from a wide range of ages, ability and cultural background.

As an elective subject at Bachelor level, a music pedagogy curriculum typically includes psychology, pedagogy and teaching practice. The ‘double degree’ has a double focus; on musical performance, and on instrumental/vocal teacher training.

Depending on the distinct artistic and pedagogical profile of the individual Hochschule, students work within the core genres of Western classical and popular music, with a varying level of engagement with other genres and musical practices.

Most German Musikhochschulen are active participants in the ERASMUS exchange programme, and students of music pedagogy are encouraged to use the opportunities this provides. Some institutions maintain formal ties to foreign institutions in the specific field of music pedagogy.

 Graduates can work in any of the institutions listed above, or as private teachers.
There are a limited number of salaried jobs (Festanstellungen) for instrumental and vocal music teachers, for example in the music schools, but a majority of staff members are hourly paid (Lehrbeauftragte).

Despite a decline in the number of full-time jobs available in recent years, the institutions named above remain important potential employers. Self-employed music teachers registered with the Künstlersozialkasse enjoy certain subsidized health and pension benefits.

The German Musikhochschulen offer various postgraduate courses.

Responsibility for training music teachers for primary and secondary schools is shared between the Musikhochschulen and the Universities according to the law of the respective federal state.

Most school music teachers in Germany are required to teach an additional school subject, which is normally studied as part of a joint degree programme, for example in Music and History, offered in collaboration between a Musikhochschule and a local University. The exact combination of subjects permitted varies according to the education laws of the individual federal states.

Most German federal states have adopted BA and MA degrees for school music teachers. Where this is not the case, students study for a state examination (Staatsexamen) as a school music teacher.

A wide range of different curricula are offered, depending on the education law of the individual federal states, the type of qualification (BA, MA or state examination) and on the type of school for which this qualification is required. The diversity of the individual educational systems in the German states, combined with major regional differences between secondary-level schools offering different academic profiles has led to serious problems of compatibility from state to state. The consequences for pupils, teachers and parents alike are far-reaching; it is essential to obtain expert advice in advance of any educational decision.

Irrespective of the precise nature of the qualification being aimed for, School Music Teaching degrees typically require intense study of a wide-ranging, demanding curriculum, including compulsory internships.

The demand for primary and secondary school music teachers varies according to the requirements of each German federal state; the individual schools will usually look for candidates offering a specific combination of music with another subject (see above). Because of incompatibilities between the education laws of the federal states, a qualification gained in one state may not be recognized in other states.

The German Musikhochschulen offer various postgraduate courses.