FAQs
Frequently Asked QuestionsKey points at a glance
2-year full-time training programme
- Duration: Vocational training – 2 years (full-time – 20h a week)
- “Professional musician in the field of popular music or in the field of metal
- Fees: €640 per month (eligible for BAföG)
- Start date: Annually on 1 October
- Optional: Orientation-, MFY oder Teaching Jahr (up to 4 years in total)
NEW: Music Foundation Year
- Duration: Music Foundation Year (full-time – 20h a week)
- Qualification: “Qualified musician in the field of popular music or metal”
- Fees: €640 per month (eligible for BAföG)
- Start date: Annually on 1 October
- Optional: Full-time training (up to 3 years in total)
Which course is eligible for BAföG funding?
- The Hamburg Cultural Authority has recognised our full-time course and our Music Foundation Year as equivalent under Section 2(2) of the Federal Training Assistance Act (BAföG).
- Pupils BAföG is not repayable.
Entry requirements and application deadlines
- Application deadline: 31 May (online application including academic transcript, CV, photo and 2–4 demos)
- Requirements: Excellent proficiency in the principal instrument; no prior knowledge or basic knowledge of piano (compulsory secondary subject) & music theory
- School qualifications: A secondary school leaving certificate is sufficient provided the applicant has demonstrated appropriate musical ability
- Entrance examination: theory test + performance (main and minor subjects)
Subjects and course content
- Course load: 20 hours of attendance per week, including lessons in the main and minor subjects
- Main subjects: singing, drums, guitar, bass, piano, music production, songwriting and much more
- Contents: Harmony & aural training, rhythm & groove, read & sing, songwriting, studio training & music production, repertoire (rock, pop, metal, jazz, soul & funk), teaching methodology, arrangement, music history (classical, jazz, pop, rock, metal), stage performance, music & business, and much more.
- Lecturers: experienced professionals and qualified educators with practical experience
Career and networking opportunities
- Careers: Graduates of the Hamburg School of Music go on to work as live and studio musicians, musicians in theatre and musical productions, composers, songwriters, music teachers or lecturers
- Unique feature: Close ties to the pop and metal scene
How flexible is the training programme?
- Preparation: Not enough prior knowledge? An orientation year or a theory crash course is available
- Part-time: Available through the ‘HSM/WMA Experience’
- Leisure: The affiliated St. Pauli Music School offers lessons for all age groups outside of the vocational training programme
Who are our lecturers?
- The lecturers at the Hamburg School of Music are renowned and active live and studio musicians, producers, composers and arrangers from the rock, pop and jazz scenes.