Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

Information on the requirements for music theory and aural training will be published here in mid to late January 2026!

Applicants to all artistic and artistic-educational Bachelor's degree programmes, including the interdisciplinary Bachelor's degree programme (School Music) - but with the exception of the Bachelor of Music Jazz and Jazz-related Music and Popular Music degree programmes - must take a written examination in aural training at the beginning of the entrance examination. In addition, knowledge in the area of practical music theory is tested orally. The relevant knowledge for the Bachelor's degree programmes in Jazz and Jazz-related Music and Popular Music is tested orally only. 

For preparation, we recommend basso continuo schools or harmony lessons.

Two specific literature recommendations (in German):

Laura Krämer, Allgemeine Musiklehre (here)
John Leigh: Orlando Band 2, Trisonate, Konzert, Choral, Sinfonie (here, unfortunately not for sale at the moment, but may be available to borrow)

Written exam in otal training | approx. 1 hour:

monophonic and two-part rhythmic-melodic dictations, chord recognition, rhythmic dictations, tasks on a longer sound example from CD, short polyphonic dictation

Oral examination in practical music theory:

Reproducing and naming rhythms, intervals, melodies and chords.
Describing given sheet music using basic concepts of general music theory (key, time signature, harmony, structure, style, etc.).
Preparation of a short elementary musical composition according to a specification (e.g. a basso continuo or a sequence of chord symbols) - in writing or at the piano.

• Oral examination practical music theory (pdf Datei,5.8 M)
• Sample exam aural training for Bachelor study programmes  (pdf Datei,741 K)
• Sample paper and auditory analysis Master Music Theory  (pdf Datei,6.3 M)

If you don’t have the opportunity to take part in a preliminary course, there are good preparation options online that have been developed by experts at other music universities and are available free of charge to anyone interested.

• We highly recommend the free oral training programme provided by the Mannheim State University of Music and Performing Arts.
• Orlando, a programme offered by the Dresden College of Music, is at a more complex entry level but also highly recommended.
• You can also find good preparation options on the Open Music Academy website, e.g. on cadences.