Singing entrance exam

The application period for the winter semester 2025/26 begins on 15.02.25 and ends on 01.04.25.

The following steps are required for a successful application to the vocal studies program within the application deadline:

• Receipt of online application incl. upload of supporting documents
• Receipt of application fee (payment information at the end of the completed online application)
• Upload video
• Upload repertoire list

Your application will only be considered if all the steps described have been completed within the application deadline and the online application, the application fee and the video including the repertoire list have been received.

We look forward to receiving your application!

After the application deadline, a pre-selection will be made from the applications received on the basis of the videos and this selection will be invited to a 2nd selection round (probably on site).

Below you will find further information on the requirements for the entrance exam.

For the video recording exam, the following works must be recorded and uploaded as a video within the application deadline:

• 4 works of different character and composer:innen
  (art songs or arias, from the fields of oratorio, opera or operetta)
  min. one work of which must be in German and Italian

All works must be performed from memory (except contemporary works and oratorios). 

The first piece uploaded will be heard and judged as the requested piece.

At the beginning of the video, please introduce yourself briefly with your name.

Technical information on video recording:

• currently recorded (not older than 6 months)
• Pieces recorded completely, unedited and without editing
• fixed camera perspective: body and face must be fully visible at all times
• if possible, the works should be recorded accompanied
  (either by pianist:in or playalong)
• a good quality microphone is recommended
  (if necessary, the microphone of a smartphone or computer will also suffice)
• The camera of a smartphone or computer is sufficient

Public recordings can be submitted as long as they meet the above conditions (no editing).

After pre-selection in the first round, a 2nd round of the entrance exam will be held in a face-to-face format. In the 2nd round, a selection is made from the repertoire of video submissions, so that the pieces submitted must also be prepared for the entrance exam on site.

To help you prepare for the exams in the subsidiary subjects of general music theory and aural training, we offer you some sample exams.

After the application deadline, a pre-selection will be made from the applications received on the basis of the videos and this selection will be invited to a 2nd selection round (probably on site).

Below you will find further information on the requirements for the entrance exam.

The repertoire to be prepared for the entrance examination is a program lasting a total of 40 minutes with the following content:

• Lied (at least 5 songs), oratorio and opera 
• 4 different languages, including German and Italian
• 4 different stylistic periods
• of which at least 2 baroque works (duration 10 minutes): 1x J.S. Bach and one of the following composers: Schütz, Buxtehude, Händel, Telemann, Hasse, Purcell, Blow, Arne, Dowland, Caccini, Peri, Monteverdi, Frescobaldi, Carissimi, Cesti, Pergolesi, Vivaldi, Lambert, Montéclair, Lully or Rameau
• at least 2 contemporary pieces by different composers from the published list of contemporary works (https://www.hfmt-hamburg.de/fileadmin/u/ordnungen/Info_MMus_Gesang_Repertoireliste.pdf) Alternatively, other pieces by the listed composers can be sung. Two copies of the contemporary pieces must be submitted to the commission.

With the exception of the contemporary works and the oratorios, all pieces must be performed from memory. The repertoire list for the entire prepared program is to be uploaded under the link below. Please ensure that the files are named correctly; the repertoire list must also include your surname in the file name.

For the video recording exam, the following works from the above-mentioned repertoire must be recorded and uploaded as a video within the application deadline:

• Baroque aria (oratorio or opera)
• Lied

The pieces with composers should be announced in the video.

At the beginning of the video, please introduce yourself briefly with your name.

Technical notes on video recording:

• recently recorded (not older than 1-2 months)
• Pieces recorded completely, unedited and without editing
• Microphones well positioned for sound quality
• fixed camera perspective: body and face must be fully visible at all times
• if possible, the works should be recorded accompanied
  (either by live recordings or playalong)

Public recordings can be submitted as long as they meet the above conditions (no editing).

For the vocal/concert exam program, a pre-selection will be made based on the videos submitted. For internal applications of the HfMT HH the video submission is not necessary.

The following musical works must be prepared for the entrance examination:

1st stage/pre-selection (for external application):

Video recording 

• 2 arias  (including at least one from an oratorio from the field of "early music")
• 3 songs
• at least one of which must be sung in German.

2nd stage/after passing the preselection:

On-site examination

An approx. 50-minute program must be prepared for the on-site entrance examination.

The examination committee will select a program of approx. 15 minutes.

• Songs and/or arias from the concert repertoire.
• The arias must predominantly belong to the field of "early music".
• Compulsory languages: German and Italian.

The repertoire list for the entire prepared program is to be uploaded under the link below. Please make sure that the files are named correctly; the repertoire list must also include your surname in the file name.

Please note the following information for the video entrance exam.

At the beginning of the video there is an oral personal introduction in German: name, age, desired course of study.

If possible, the works should be accompanied, either in the form of live recordings or by singing along to playalong versions. If necessary, individual works can be recorded unaccompanied.

The recordings must not be older than 12 months.