Educational offering

Educational offering

The educational offering of the JHC includes the study of musical instrument performance, voice, music theory and composition (leading to an Artist’s Diploma) as well as the study of instrumental or vocal pedagogy and various training and preparatory courses.

All courses of study are offered for the instruments violin, viola, violoncello, contrabass, flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and percussion as well as for voice, piano, organ, guitar and recorder, and in the area of popular music for jazz guitar, electric bass, jazz keyboard instruments, percussion and jazz saxophone.

Successful completion of an entrance examination is required for all regular courses of study. The Joseph Haydn Conservatory uses the ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) for all courses of study.

Exceptionally gifted children can be admitted to preparatory classes for all the instruments offered.

Study for an Artist’s Diploma (Instrumental)

This course of study includes both performance education to concert level in the major instrument and theoretical training.

The full course of study is divided into two sections:

  • The first section usually lasts eight semesters and ends with the first diploma examination.
  • The second section usually lasts four semesters and ends with the second diploma examination (with internal and public parts).
  • The study of music theory and composition is the exception: in this case each section lasts six semesters.

Instrumental and vocal pedagogy

The course of study instrumental or vocal pedagogy usually lasts eight semesters and ends with an examination leading to a teaching certificate which is a valid, government-recognised professional qualification.

Through a cooperation with the University for Music and the Performing Arts in Vienna, students also have the option of concluding this course of study with a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Further courses of study

In addition to the regular courses of study, the following courses are offered, lasting between two and four semesters: Baroque violin, conducting and correpetition for music theatre, wind orchestra conducting, elementary music pedagogy, Haydn Seminar, jazz orchestra/big band, jazz composing and conducting.

Youth Academy

For the best possible advancement of talented children and youth, the Joseph Haydn Conservatory’s Youth Academy offers a multi-year education with a full hour of individual instruction in the major performance instrument together with the relevant theoretical and practical secondary subjects. In this way young artists are optimally prepared to continue their studies at tertiary level if they wish.