Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover

• Conducting

Degree Master of Music (M. Mus.)

Standard study duration 8 semesters

Options Orchestral conducting, Choir and ensemble conducting, Opera repetiteur/repetiteuse

The field of European art music has in the course of its history produced, and is still producing today, a heritage of many great works that have become firmly and permanently embedded in our musical culture, and which we must be committed to preserving. There are thus many tasks to be performed in the field of managing and directing musical activity, for which well trained and highly qualified conductors are required. The HMTMH offers training for precisely such tasks.

I. Option: Orchestral conducting

1. Course content and objective
The content of the course is diverse, in line with the practical requirements of a later career, and the central study subjects assume not only existing skills, but also a high degree of talent and of potential for development.

In addition to the principal study subject, Orchestral conducting, there are important subsidiary subjects which, like the principal subject, are taught individually: Full score reading, Vocal score reading and Sight reading.
In addition, there are seminars and practical tuition in groups in the subjects Interpretation, Historically informed performance, New Music and Italian for opera.

2. Tuition
One enormous advantage of the tuition is that individual teaching is provided in those subjects that are key to the course and to later professional activity (see under Course content).
In addition, the HMTMH regularly institutes symphony orchestra and opera projects under the direction of its own internationally renowned faculty members. This interdisciplinary cooperation leads to outstanding musical results, providing students with important learning experiences from which students of conducting too can benefit through their own work with student ensembles.
The HMTMH maintains a small opera house of its own, something which few comparable institutions in Germany are able to do. This gives students of conducting an outstanding arena to work in, and a fine opportunity to train and qualify for a later career as an opera-house conductor.
The training is supplemented by regular master classes in conducting, supported by external orchestras such as the Orchestra of Hildesheim Civic Theatre, and by placements with the NDR Radio Philharmonic Orchestra Hannover and internships at the Lower Saxony State Opera (including “Hannover Young Opera“); all of these provide important elements of practical experience in preparation for a professional career.

3. Who is the course aimed at?
Fundamentally, the Master’s degree course in Conducting/Orchestral conducting is directed above all at young musicians who have an enthusiasm for opera, are strongly attracted by symphonic music and have the will to realise such music as conductors. An outstanding ear, good piano playing, experience with other (preferably orchestral) instruments, the desire to compose and arrange, to undertake analyses and concern themselves with musical ideas, but also the specific motoric gifts, behavioural skills and communicative talent / social intelligence characteristic of a conductor are further important requirements and aptitudes which students ought to be able to contribute to this course and to their subsequent profession.
The formal requirement is the possession of a relevant Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification.
In view of the outstanding artistic aptitude that is required, candidates must have obtained their first degree with a final grade of at least 2.8 overall, and of 1.5 in the principal subject Orchestral conducting.
In exceptional cases, candidates may be accepted who have acquired the particular knowledge and skills required for such a first degree outside a formal course of study. A first degree of some kind is however always required.

4. Professional field
The professional field of orchestra conductors includes conducting, assisting and repetitive activities, especially in the areas of concert and opera. Conducting activities are in demand in opera orchestras (general music director, conductor, choir director, solo accompanist with conducting duties), concert orchestras (artistic direction), as a freelance activity with guest engagements in the various areas of the professional and semi-professional music scene (artistic direction functions).
There is also a demand for professional musical leadership roles in ensembles in the independent music scene with alternative projects and innovative repertoire.

The lecturers have direct contact with professional practice, whose precise knowledge has a decisive influence on the artistic content and pedagogical objectives of the teaching. The lecturers on the degree programme usually have their main job in a professional institution and in this dual function are important advisors and contacts with regard to the upcoming career entry.

II. Option: Choir and ensemble conducting

1. Course content and objective
The main subject of choir and ensemble conducting is complemented by important accompanying subjects, some of which are taught, as in the main subject, individually: Vocal and instrumental tuition, ear training/aural analysis, orchestral conducting, score and piano reduction playing, chamber music, ensemble singing and playing. There are also seminars for new music, musical analysis and interpretation as well as courses and workshops, e.g. for historically informed performance practice and new music.

2. Tuition
In addition to individual lessons in the main subject, vocal music ranging from classical a cappella literature to modern music is regularly worked on and performed in a wide variety of formations from small (solo) ensembles to large-scale choral works and oratorios, also mixed with purely instrumental pieces depending on the programme. Learning to combine vocal and instrumental conducting is an important part of the training programme. Regular courses – masterclasses – are offered on both historically informed performance practice and contemporary music, collaboration with composers, internships, etc. Interpretation means understanding the content of a work and translating it into sound; the technical skills and intellectual prerequisites for this should be acquired in this programme.

3. Who is the course aimed at?

The Master's degree programme in Conducting with the option choral ensemble conducting is aimed at talented students who want to work responsibly with traditional musical forms and are also curious about unfamiliar sounds and their realisation. An excellent ear, good piano playing or other instrumental or vocal skills, a sense of sound, enjoyment of analysis, an interest in music history, but also specific conducting motor skills and communicative talent/social intelligence are important prerequisites and aptitudes that should be brought to this degree programme and the future profession.

The formal requirement is proof of a relevant Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification.
Special artistic aptitude requires a final grade of at least 2.8 in this degree programme and a final grade of 1.5 in the major subject of choral/ensemble conducting.


In exceptional cases, the knowledge corresponding to a relevant first degree can also be acquired outside a subject-related degree programme.
However, a first degree is required.

4. Professional field
The professional fields that this programme always focuses on in terms of concept and content are still diverse in Germany and are one of the reasons for the great interest shown by foreign applicants. Conducting jobs are in demand in opera orchestras (general music director, conductor, choir director, solo accompanist with conducting duties), concert orchestras (artistic direction), as a freelancer with guest engagements in the various areas of the professional and semi-professional music scene (artistic direction functions). There is also a demand for professional musical directorships in the ensembles of the independent music scene with alternative projects and innovative repertoire. The choral city of Hanover offers many opportunities for well-trained choral conductors to work with choirs, further their education and set their own accents.

Teachers have direct contact with professional practice, whose precise knowledge has a decisive influence on the artistic content and pedagogical goals of the programme. The lecturers on the degree programme usually have their main job in a professional institution and in this dual function are important advisors and contacts with regard to the upcoming career entry.

III. Option: Opera repetiteur/repetiteuse

1. Course content and objective
The programme is designed to be extremely practice-oriented with a view to later working at an opera house.

The focus is on learning how to play the piano as a conductor, which on the one hand means using the piano to reproduce the orchestral sound of a piano score and on the other hand developing the ability to lead singers from the piano. As there is a decisive difference here to classical song accompaniment, great importance is attached to learning this principle and its practical implementation both in individual lessons and in regular work with vocal students.

In addition to excellent piano playing, a strong musical perception and good prima vista playing are prerequisites for the Master Conducting with the option Opera Accompaniment programme.
In addition to individual lessons in the main subject, the main subject module consists of lessons in the singing classes and an internship at an opera house.

Conducting as an accompanying subject is of paramount importance for the duration of the entire degree programme. The requirements of the future profession are also characterised by the fact that students must be able to perform professionally after conducting on the basis of their own conducting experience.

The supplementary subjects include basso continuo playing and basic knowledge of historical keyboard instruments, Italian opera and singing lessons to develop the student's own singing voice.

A third compulsory elective module comprises the subjects of song composition and score playing.

The programme of the final examination in the main subject is identical to the audition requirements at opera houses. At the end of the two-year programme, students should be able to demonstrate their ability to successfully embark on a professional career as a solo accompanist or director of studies.

2. Tuition
In addition to the subjects mentioned above, students are involved in a wide range of activities. In particular, they are closely involved with the students on the singing degree programmes, be it in audition training, accompanying lessons, scenic teaching, pianistic accompaniment for masterclasses or auditions for competitions.

The participation in the annual opera and studio productions in the area of musical direction and rehearsal as well as the participation on keyboard instruments in the orchestra should also be emphasised.

In addition to the Lower Saxony opera houses in Hanover, Braunschweig and Osnabrück, the Vienna State Opera is also a partner for internships, where students gain important insights into the professional world every year.

In addition, students regularly attend the Bayreuth Festival as scholarship holders of the Richard Wagner Association Hanover.

3. Who is the course aimed at?
The Master's degree programme in Conducting with the option Opera repetiteur/repetiteuse is aimed at prospective students who have usually completed a Bachelor's degree in piano or a Master's degree in song accompaniment.

In addition to excellent pianistic skills and a quick grasp of music, the programme requires a physical and mental resilience that should not be underestimated, as a large amount of repertoire has to be mastered in a relatively short period of time. A desire to communicate and a passion for the genre of opera should of course be present.

4. Professional field
The professional field of activity of graduates usually consists of working as a répétiteur at an opera house with the prospect of a further position as a head of musical studies.