The Carl Maria von Weber Hochschule für Musik
Since 1997 The Music Conservatory of Capital University has offered an exchange program with the Carl Maria von Weber Hochschule für Musik in Dresden, Germany. The exchange program provides opportunities for Capital University Music Conservatory students to study at the Hochschule for one semester and allows for Hochschule students to study at Capital University in Jazz study. All instruction at the Hochschule is in German. Location, the city of Dresden
Once home to such composers as Richard Wagner and Carl Maria von Weber, the city of Dresden lies about two hours south of Berlin and is the capital of the Free State of Saxony. Founded as a fishing village and merchant's settlement in 1206, the city flourished through the renaissance and became a residence to the Royal courts of Saxony. During the Second World War, Dresden's city center and surrounding districts were completely destroyed by the British and American bombers. After the close of the Second World War, Dresden became a regional capital under the control of the Eastern German government. Following a peaceful revolution in 1989, the city was once again made the capital of Saxony and extensive renovation efforts on the city began. Today, Dresden is home to nearly 500,000 inhabitants, making it the 14th largest city in Germany. Once again, Dresden is described as the "Florence on the Elbe".
Program Site
Francesco Morlacchi (1814), Carl Mariavon Weber (1817) and Richard Wagner (1848/49) were the first to conceive of establishing institutional training for musicians in Dresden. Then on February 1, 1856, a violinist of the Royal Orchestra named Friedrich Tröstler opened the first educational music establishment in Dresden. In 1881 the title "royal" was bestowed on the institute, which meanwhile called itself a conservatory. The institution existed as a private educational establishment, and until 1937 it was called "Krantzsch Conservatory." In that year, the institution's ownership changed and the municipality took over the Conservatory. In 1952 the State College of Music (Hochschule für Musik) was founded and given the name of "Carl Maria von Weber."
In the recent decades, particular emphasis has been placed on the education of singers and orchestral musicians, as this was the prerequisite for maintaining the high level of artistic quality of the Dresden Opera, The Staatskapelle Orchestra, and later of the Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra. The formation of singers and orchestral musicians was strongly determined by members of the Saxon State Opera, The Staatskapelle and Philharmonic orchestras working as teachers on an honorary basis. The artistic and scientific work of the college is expressed in 250 public events organized and realized by students and lecturers every year. The Hochschule is situated within two different buildings, the main building at Wettiner Platz 13 and the other on the Blochmannstraße. (quoted from "Study Options for Foreigners in Saxony," Staatsministerium für Wissenschaft und Kunst)
Program requirements
- Music Conservatory student junior level standing
- 2.5 grade point average (GPA)
- 2 year college German or high school equivalent
- German language evaluation; ability to live, work and study independently
Academic Program
Capital University students will remain registered at Capital University in the course Study Abroad 200 for 12 credit hours the semester they are on the exchange. Students must also register for Recital Attendance at Capital during the semester abroad. Students will take approximately 12 to 15 hours of coursework at the Hochschule. The coursework will be reflected as pass for any work A - D, and fail for any "F" work on the Capital University transcript. All courses are taught in German.
Students are required to take an intensive German course from early January to mid February. This is a self-guiding study of German with course time of 30 to 60 hours. The German course is offered at the Academy für Weiterbildung und Wissenstransfer through the Technical University of Dresden. Students will be placed into the appropriate level of instruction based on proficiency evaluation and class availability. Classes at the Hochschule can be arranged to coincide with most Capital conservatory degree programs. Typical courses that are available include:
- Primary instrument instruction 2 hours a week
- Piano 1 hour a week (non majors)
- Accompanist/coach for your instrument 1 hour a week
- Music Theory (depends on class/es)
- Audiation (depends on class/es)
- Conducting (choral/orchestral) 1.5 hours a week
- Music History 2 hours a week
- Ensemble participation (depends on ensemble)
Most classes are taught on an individual level as private lessons. These classes include, primary instrument instruction, accompaniment, piano, and conducting. Other classes are taught in a traditional setting with approximately 25 students. For ensemble participation, most instrumentalists will participate in the Hochschule Orchestra, however for vocalists, the Hochschule Chorus does not meet in the spring semester. Thus, arrangements to sing in one of the Dresden professional community ensembles will be made, and may require an audition. Students are also expected to take advantage of the wealth of culture and music Dresden has to offer by attending outside performances, which may count toward the students degree program.
Students may also be able to receive credit for UC 310 (Humanities), provided students make arrangements ahead of time for course work evaluation. Bob Patterson should make final approval in the Office of Academic Achievement. Students will be expected to maintain a scrapbook and log during the time abroad.
Accommodations/Living
Students will normally live in dorms designed as shared apartments in buildings that are located throughout the city of Dresden. Dorm rooms are issued through Studentwenwerk Dresden and not the Hochschule für Musik. Rooms are reserved for students upon acceptance to the Hochschule, but the accommodations cannot be finalized until the student arrives, signs the rent contract, and pays the deposit. Housing costs depend on the student's wish for a single or double room. Rooms are furnished with a bed, closet, table and chair. The kitchen is also equipped with the necessary essentials. Bedding can be rented from Studentenwerk for an additional cost, or the student can opt to bring or purchase their own. Each student will be assigned a mailbox within the dorm or residence. Students may arrange for a private phone with Deutsche Telekom. Pay phones are not usually located in the dorms, but are usually easy to find within the vicinity. Laundry facilities are located in the basement of each residence hall. As previously mentioned, the dorms are located throughout the city and are not necessarily within walking distance to the Hochschule. However, all dorms provide easy access to the city transportation network.
Meals
Since the student is living in a shared apartment, the student will buy food and cook their own meals. There is a Mensa (cafeteria) located in each of the Hochschule buildings that offer low cost breakfasts and lunches, however, they are usually opened during specific hours. Grocery stores and bakery's are numerous and quite easy to find.
Orientation
Students will meet individually with Frau Werner to learn about campus resources and policies. She will also assist students in scheduling appointments to meet with faculty members. A Hochschule student will take the student on tour of the facility, the dorm, a tour of the local surroundings and assist with opening a bank account. The Hochschule student will also take the Capital student to the Studentenwerk to complete the application process for the dorm room. Class registration and information concerning the German class are arranged through Frau Werner in an appointment usually scheduled on the day of arrival.
Transportation
Tuition at the Hochschule includes a ticket for bus, tram and S-Bahn (regional) transportation when school is in session. Most western European cities have excellent public transportation and Dresden is no different. Students participating on the exchange should not rent any kind of motor vehicle while overseas since driving laws and conditions are quite different from driving laws in the U.S.
Health Care and Insurance
A student should maintain their domestic medical policy while they are overseas. If a student does not have a domestic health plan, one should be purchased. It is important to have a domestic policy to cover any injury or illness sustained in Germany, but requiring further treatment in the U.S. Most overseas policies will not cover a student for continued health care back in the U.S. A pre-existing medical condition would have limited or no coverage under a new policy purchased after study abroad. The student must provide a letter from the domestic health insurer stating that the students' health insurance will be valid during the stay in Germany. This letter must be translated into German and be accompanied by the original document in English and notarized. These documents must be presented to receive the registration papers from the Hochschule as well as a residence visa from the German government.
The dormitories maintain lists of doctors which student may schedule an appointment to meet privately. The Hochschule can assist students as needed to secure appropriate medical treatment.
Currently there are no special immunizations required to enter Germany. However, students should be up to date on all immunizations before overseas study. A physical and a medical statement are required of all students going on overseas study. The medical statement is kept in the student's file in the International Education Office at Capital University and sent to the Student Services Office at the Hochschule. Students will not be denied admission into an overseas program based on a medical condition, however students should know that living in another country can complicate or exacerbate certain medical and mental health conditions and should consult with their physician and the study abroad advisor at Capital University about the appropriateness of the program for the student and their health condition.
Dates of Study
- Approximately the first week of January through second week of July
- The Hochschule classes are from Mid March to mid July
Travel Information
The student is responsible for all transportation from the U.S. to Dresden, Germany and back. It is recommended that the student begin looking for the flight arrangements at least 3 months before departure to take advantage of discounted rates. It is also recommended that the student work through Council Travel. Council Travel is excellent at finding discounted fares and student specials. Note: Connecting flights directly to Dresden are available from most major European airports for a small additional fee and can save lots of time that may otherwise be spent on a train.
Residence Visas
American students are required to get a student visa from the German government for any stay lasting over three months. The student must not get a visa for the first 3 months in Germany. The student must report to the Auslanderamt (foreigner's office) in Dresden to apply for a visa before the third month is over. The student should not apply for the visa prior to leaving the U.S. In order to receive the visa, the student must provide the following documents to the government official.
- Passport
- Hochschule registration papers
- Rent contract
- Health insurance papers
- Financial documentation to demonstrate how living expenses are being met
- City registration papers
- A processing fee
Living Expenses:
In Germany, foreign students may not work and therefore cannot earn money to cover monthly living expenses. Before the student leaves the U.S., they must have a typed document that states that the student will have a certain minimum amount in a bank account or will receive from a sponsor a certain minimum amount per month. Contact the Capital Office of International Education for the latest amounts. It must be signed by the student and/or sponsor. This statement must be both in English and translated into German as well as have both copies notarized. The student cannot receive the necessary Residence Visa without these papers. The actual living expenses for the student can vary greatly. On the average, the student needs to take into account the monthly rent, approximately 50 Euros a week for food, the initial fees upon arrival and any personal expenses.
Costs
See cost breakdown on the coversheet
Application:
- Hochschule für Musik Application
- A letter of intent
- 3 letters of recommendation
- Official Transcript
- A professional recorded audition tape (submitted to Frau Werner at Hochschule)
- A complete language proficiency form (from the Hochschule) sent to the Hochschule
Application materials should be submitted to Professor Rocky Reuter in the Music Conservatory no later than October 25. A copy of the application material (no audition tape) should be submitted to the International Education Office.
Students must complete the International Education Office required documents by November 1. These documents are Worksheet #3 – Course Approval Form and Worksheet #4 – Budget Worksheet.
All application materials need to be submitted to Frau Werner at the Hochschule by December 1.
Contact Information
Professor Rocky Reuter, DMA
Conservatory 116
Capital University
Phone: 614-236-6226
E-Mail: rreuter@capital.edu
Jennifer Adams
343 Renner Hall
Office of International Education
Capital University
Phone: 614-236-7102
E-Mail: jadams@capital.edu