For those prospective music students who are not sure if it makes sense to come to an audition because of long travelling distances and musical level, we offer a “pre-screening” video audition. This “pre-screening” is not designed to replace the live audition but rather encourage applicants to submit a video as well as documents with the audition required material (main instrument exam, theory exam and ear training exam) to be adjudicated. A detailed report with results and advice will be given to the applicant with a recommendation on how to proceed with their application. These results can then be used to determine whether it is a good idea to travel a far distance for the live audition or where there might be room for improvement as preparation for the audition. For this audition pre-screening we charge a fee of 75 €.
1. Pre-Screening Application Form
Download and fill out the application form. Then scan this document and save it in Pdf format. Label it lastnameAF. Also scan all other documents required in the application form and save them in Pdf-format.
To download the application form, click here
2. Main-instrument Performance Video
Record a video with your 3 main-instrument performance titles (see below). Save the video in Mpeg4-format and label the file lastnameHF. Note: the video should be of good enough quality that the musician can be clearly seen as well as heard performing their instrument.
Title 1: a title of own choice in any style
Title 2: rock/pop title of own choice
(Note for applicants with trumpet or saxophone as main-instrument: Horn players can interpret the requirements for Title 2 (rock/pop) somewhat looser, and in certain cases can find suitable repertoire in soul, funk or fusion styles.)
Title 3: a jazz title (Swing-Feel) of own choice
The applicant has the following choices for the performance of the three titles:
a.) solo performance, or
b.) accompaniment by self-furnished play-back (such as play-along CD track or sequencer generated playback), or
c.) accompaniment by a live band
In planning the program, the applicant should select titles that differ by tempo, groove, key, style, etc., in order to present a comprehensive picture of his/her musical personality and capabilities.
The evaluation of this test is based on the following criteria: sound, timing, phrasing, mastery of the melody (plus text for singers), the song chord changes and form, improvisation, accompaniment, expression, and playing together/interaction with the band.
3. Written Ear Training Exam
Download and fill out the ear training exam form. Then scan this document and save it in PDF format. Label it lastnameET.
The following topics will be tested in a 45 minute written listening-dictation test. The test is to be taken on the honour system.
To download the Ear Training exam form, click here
To start the listening-dictation test click here
4. Written Music Theory Exam
Download and fill out the music theory exam form. Then scan this document and save it in PDF format. Label it lastnameTH.
The following topics will be tested in a 45 minute exam. The test is to be taken on the honour system.
To download the Music Theory exam form, click here
5. Payment of Pre-Screening fee
The payment of the 75 € “pre-screening” fee works through our PayPal-account.
To pay the Pre-Screening fee, go here:
6. How to submit your files to us
a.) Download Dropbox from the internet to the harddrive of your computer. Dropbox is a free program that allows you to upload large documents and then share them. Download Dropbox here
b.) Upload all your files for the audition “pre-screening” to your Dropbox
c.) When the files are uploaded and the pre-screening fee has been paid, send an email to Edward Fernbach: edward.fernbach@jrs.org with a link to the Dropbox folder documents.
d.) Be sure that the total of your files can not exceed 2GB file size
e.) You will receive a confirmation email from us once we have successfully downloaded all your audition pre-screening files.
7. When will you receive your results
Circa 2 weeks after our confirmation email you will receive another email containing the report with your results. This report will contain advice if and how you should proceed with your application for our live audition in Freiburg.
8. Any other questions?
We hope this description of the audition pre-screening process is clear to you. If you have any questions, of course we´ll be happy to answer them. Please feel free to contact our international student adviser Edward Fernbach by Email
or
Phone: +49-761-368889-23