The next deadline for applications for Bachelor and Master's programmes is 1 December
You can choose to take the audition at several levels of the Academy:
The entrance examination consists of the following elements:
Principal study
A list of repertoire for the entrance examination must be enclosed with the application form.
- Piece chosen by the applicant with a degree of difficulty similar to:
- Buxtehude: Prelude, fugue and Ciacona in C major, BuxWV 137
- V. Lübeck: Prelude in E major
- J. S. Bach: Prelude and fugue in C major, BWV 545
- F. Mendelssohn: Sonata in C minor
- C. Franck: Prélude, fugue et variation
- P. Hindemith: Sonata II
- J. Langlais: from Hommage à Frescobaldi: Fantaisie, or Thème et variations
- A list of 5 shorter works from various stylistic periods (e.g. chorale with melismatic c.f., simpler trio movement). The external examiners select 1 piece of which the admission candidate is notified 3 weeks prior to the entrance examination.
- 3. A previously prepared chorale with pedal from Den Danske Koralbog played with prelude and performed as:
- choral playing (1 manual + pedal)
- melody playing (2 manuals + pedal)
- A proposed task which is emailed to the emailaddresses of the admission candidate 7 days before the entrance examination takes place with a degree of difficulty similar to Franz Tunder: Prelude in G minor (Bechmann 2), Buxtehude: Ein feste Burg, BuxWV 184, or J. S. Bach: Prelude and fugue in C minor, BWV 533
- Sight reading: An organ composition without pedal, and one of the more easy chorales with pedal
- Prima vista harmonization: The applicant is given a 2-period chorale, the first period with 4-part harmonization, the second with melody alone which must be harmonized on the spot (with pedal)
The audition in main subject takes approximately 30 minutes including evaluation.
Secondary main subject tests for church musicians
If the applicant passes the first main subject test, he/she must take a supplementary written theory test: 4-part harmonization of a simple modulating chorale in four periods. The examination lasts 1 hour. The test is consultative and evaluated on a 7 point grading scale.
Special requirements for applicants to The Royal Danish Academy of Music
If admitted to the Academy the applicant must take a test in singing to establish his/her vocal abilities.
Assessment: 3 separate marks are awarded according to the 7 point grading scale.
Test
NB. Prima Vista harmonisation for church musicians is evaluated under item "Sight assignment".
The test will be passed succesfully, only if the applicant has achieved a minimum mark of 02 in the principal subject examination.
If the applicant passes the principal study audition, he or she then takes further examinations in supporting subjects. These examinations are identical for all Bachelor programmes.
The entrance examination consists of a principal study audition.
Qualifying education
- BA in Music as church musician The Royal Danish Academy of Music.
- BA in Music as church musician or equivalent from another Danish music academy.
- BA in Music as church musician or equivalent from a foreign music academy or university of similar level.
Repertoire playing: The applicant should perform a programme of his or her own choice of 20 minutes duration.
Liturgical playing: The entrance examination in liturgical playing contains the following:
- 1 hymn with prelude and following modulation
- Transposition of hymn to a given key (½ a note or 1 note up or down from the original key and max. 4 key signatures.)
- Improvisation: Partita on a given hymn melody (approximately 5 minutes)
For the liturgical part of the examination the applicant is given one hour preparation. The applicant is responsible for contacting the Academy for information concerning the technical specifications of the organ for the entrance examination (disposition etc.)
Duration of the entrance examination: 40 minutes including voting
The entrance examination is censured by 2 internal censors.
Evaluation: One joint grade is given on the Danish 7 point grade scale for the two parts of the entrance exam.
A deposit must be paid before taking the examination
When you apply, you must pay a deposit of DKK 1,000 into the following account: bank identification no.: 3001, account no.: 640 3727. Remember to always state your name – otherwise we can't see who has paid in the money!
For international transfers:
SWIFT code/BIC: DABADKKK IBAN no.: DK92 3000 0006 4037 27. Remember to include your name.
The deposit will be repaid in the case of:
- completion of the entrance examination
- deregistration at least one month prior to the examination
- illness, as documented by medical certificate
Form, content and assessment of the examination
The entrance examination consists of a principal study audition, which is taken in two rounds.
In the first round, you will be asked to perform a programme of 20 minutes' duration. An admissions committee will award the performance the grade of "pass/fail".
If you pass the first round, you will continue to the second round, which will be held as quickly as possible after the first round. The two rounds may be held on different days.
In the second round, you will be asked to perform a programme of 30 minutes' duration. The performance will be assessed according to the seven-point scale.
The applicant chooses the repertoire, always subject, however, to the following rules:
- Playing the same work at both rounds is not allowed.
- The works performed in the two rounds must together cover at least 4 stylistic periods.
- At least one work at one of the two rounds must be written after 1945.
Examples of the type and degree of repertoire:
- A major work from the organ literature before J.S. Bach
- J.S. Bach: a major prelude (toccata, fantasia) with fugue, or passacaglia and fugue in C minor, BWV 582
- J.S. Bach: a trio sonata for organ
- A major romantic work for organ (e.g. J.P.E. Hartmann, F. Mendelssohn, C. Franck, or M. Reger)
- A major work by a recent or contemporary composer