Popular Music

Subjects: Popular Music

B.Mus. | Bachelor of Music

Course description

Promoting your musical abilities and artistic identity is the top priority when studying popular music. Throughout your studies, you'll engage in a mix of individual major and minor subject lessons, ensemble lessons, and repertoire and accompaniment coaching. This practical music foundation allows you to hone your craft, collaborate with others, and sharpen your artistic profile. You'll gain essential skills and routine in courses such as composition, songwriting, performance training, artist development, pedagogy, and recording technology. Weekly workshops cover diverse topics in music practice, including songwriting and sound engineering. Live panels with music industry experts and various practical projects each semester provide ample opportunities to perform in front of an audience and expand your network. Lecturers from all areas of the live and recording industry support you on your career path, ensuring you have the guidance needed to succeed.

Application Requirements

Language Requirements

TOEFL 87 ibt (direct entry) TOEFL 79 - 86 ibt (with additional agreement) TOEIC 785 (Listening/Reading 785, Speaking 160, Writing 150) IELTS (academic) 6.5 on average - please see Language Centre guidelines if results differ CAE (grade A, B, or C) CPE (grade A, B or C) Pearson English Test Academic (PTE-A) 59 points Linguaskill: 176 - 184 (CES) - all four skills required Duolingo 110 points

Qualification Requirements

General higher education entrance qualification (Abitur) or university of applied sciences entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife). In case you have not graduated yet, please apply with your existing transcripts or your latest interim certificate. However, we need your final degree certificate before you can start your studies. Please upload two songs in MP3 format in which you present your musical instrument in the application form, which will be your main subject during your studies. They can be your own compositions or interpretations/arrangements of foreign works, lasting at least one and at most four minutes. In addition, write a one-page PDF file that provides information about these titles and their original authors and performers. Describe the nature and scope of your own work and name the work of third parties. Your individual artistic and creative strengths, which are expressed in the music examples submitted, should relate to the following focal points: Author: composition/musical adaptation Performer: instrumental performance - at least one song must feature the main instrument Performer: vocals Producer: sound engineering/production The result of the pre-selection will determine whether the candidate will take part in the practical entrance examination. II) Entrance examination The following is important: a strong will to express yourself and create very good knowledge of an instrument/vocals basic theoretical and practical knowledge of popular music The entrance examination includes a 30-minute written exam with music theory, ear training and sound engineering content. This is followed by the 30-minute practical part consisting of your self-made artistic presentation with two titles practical aural training theoretical and practical tasks and questions a personal conversation about your motivation to study popular music at the Berlin School of Popular Arts Presentation Your self-made presentation consists of two pieces with at least one track. You choose these according to your individual wishes and focus. an original composition or a title arranged by yourself you play or sing your main instrument live on site Your presentation can be solo, to playback you bring with you, through a DAW project or together with accompanying musicians that you organise yourself. The quality of the practical part of the entrance examination is decisive for the assessment of your aptitude for artistic/musical studies at the Berlin School of Popular Arts.

Document Requirements

CV Two songs in MP3 format: for your studies, you must choose and present an instrument (or vocals) as your main subject. Please upload your own compositions or interpretations of foreign works with your application (each lasting 1-4 minutes). Proof of English language proficiency Copy of your identity card or passport