Entrance examination

a) Performance of a self-chosen program of up to three pieces and a practical test of general musical fundamentals on the instrument; duration: approx. 15 minutes.
b) Sight-reading a lead sheet; duration: approx. 2 minutes.
c) Written exam in Pop music theory; duration: 30 minutes.
d) Written exam in Pop ear training; duration: 30 minutes.

The examination board selects from the pieces you have chosen. You must arrange accompaniment yourself; a combo backline and a playback option (mini jack) are available.

The entrance examination for Pop voice takes place in person at the Institute of Music at Caprivistr. 1, 49076 Osnabrück.

Round 1

Part a: Performance of a self-chosen program of one to a maximum of two songs. Applicants may accompany themselves, be accompanied by their own instrumentalist or sing to a backing track. Backing bands are not permitted. 

This is followed by a selection interview with the examination board.

Round 2

Part b: All applicants admitted to the second round take a written exam in music theory/ear training.

Part c: Performance of a self-chosen program of up to three songs (two of them may be from round 1, so you only need to prepare three songs in total), and a practical test of general musical fundamentals. Duration: max. 15 minutes.

Part a is taken by all applicants. However, if it already shows that an applicant is not sufficiently suitable, they are excluded from parts b and c. The result is calculated on the basis of the parts completed.

The entire Pop voice examination takes place on ONE day. If there are more applications than can be examined in one day, some applicants will be scheduled for the second day.

The major subject examination takes place in two parts:

a) Major – part 1:
Submission of three self-produced, representative tracks in different styles. They must be submitted by the end of the application period. Only if you pass the first part will you be invited within 14 days to the second part at the Institute of Music in Osnabrück.

Please upload the following files here: 

https://netcase.hs-osnabrueck.de/index.php/s/3fYG4smabMJLGPb

• Your productions as uncompressed WAVE or AIFF files, 16-bit or 24-bit, 44.1 kHz
• A short PDF file showing your part in the productions. You do not have to do everything yourself, from composition to mastering – you just have to name it. In this example, you are Max Mustermann:
  • Song: Cry
  • Composition and lyrics: Anja Apfel
  • Drums: Bernd Blume
  • Recording, production, mastering: Max Mustermann
  • DAW used: Cubase pro 11
• We are pleased if at least one production includes one or more instruments/vocals recorded with a microphone.
• Please name your files as follows:

[Last name] [First name] - Pop Producing - [Title] (e.g. Mustermann Max - Pop Producing - Cry)

Practical major subject examination (30 min.):

• Programming a basic track (MIDI drums, bass, piano/guitar, another instrument) for a given instrumental or vocal track; time allowed: 15 minutes.
• Creating a short music sequence on a given associative term/theme; time allowed: 15 minutes.

Individual interview

• Colloquium (individual interview) on the recordings submitted, the productions created in the examination and the fundamentals of music production (approx. 10 minutes).
• Test of general musical fundamentals on piano/keyboard or guitar using a simple lead sheet.