European Schools

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>If I recall, there are some posters here who are parents of kids that have spent time abroad studying on various exchange programs. Does anyone here have any thoughts to chime in on the following institutions - their general vibes and level and setting etc.</p>

<p>Conservatorium van Amsterdam
Hochschule für Musik, Köln (Cologne)
Hanns Eisler Hochschule für Musik, Berlin
Universität Mozarteum, Salzburg
Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester</p>

<p>If anybody here has been to Cologne or Salzburg, how did you find the amount of English spoken there? As well as the general racial demographics of the city?</p>

<p>I'm currently in my third year of undergrad studies in composition, and has started to investigate the Grad school scene.</p>

<p>There are quite a few English speakers in the larger cities in Germany and Austria. Salzburg is a huge tourist town, and English is quite prevalent. No experience with Amsterdam, but I would assume something similar. </p>

<p>My S spent two weeks in Leipzig (Felix Mendelssohn Bartoldi Hochschule...) His teacher was from the Koeln area, and his classmates were from Korea and the Netherlands. Everything was done in English. But it was just a summer program. </p>

<p>All University-educated people in Germany from about 50-ish and younger have had to study English in school. We didn't run into any teachers who did not speak English, although some don't like to. I don't think you'd have any trouble with your private teacher; my concern would be about classroom experiences. I believe for the school itself, most classes are taught in German. Most of the school websites will tell you how much English you need in order to attend.</p>

<p>Conservatorium van Amsterdam</p>

<p>
[quote]
The lessons at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam are in Dutch or English. Therefore every student at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam must have a passive as well as an active knowledge of the Dutch or English language. Students who cannot speak and understand English (or Dutch), cannot be admitted to the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

[/quote]
</p>

<hr>

<p>
[quote]
Die Unterrichtssprache an der Hochschule für Musik Köln ist Deutsch. </p>

<p>Ein Nachweis über Deutschkenntnisse muss bei der Bewerbung vorgelegt werden. Üblich ist ein Nachweis des TestDaF (Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache). Dieser Nachweis darf nicht älter als 1 Jahr sein.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>[Lessons are in German, you have to present proof via a test for German for speakers of other languages, and the test can't be more than a year old.]</p>

<p>It goes on to say that if you don't speak well enough, you can enroll there and spend a year learning German, but you have to pass a test at the end of the year to continue into the bachelor or masters program.</p>

<hr>

<p>Hans Eisler - Berlin</p>

<p>
[quote]
International applicants must present a certificate of the intermediate level exam (Zentrale Mittelstufenprüfung, ZMP from the Goethe-Institute) or a certicate of the "Test Deutsch als Fremdsprache - Niveaustufe 4" from the TestDaF Institute at the entrance examination. Failure to produce this means matriculation is restricted to a maximum of 2 semesters. Apart from this, all entrance requirements are the same as for German applicants. For candidates for the JIB, the rules of the Institute apply.

[/quote]
</p>

<hr>

<p>I can't find admission info for the Mozarteum.</p>

<p>Hi! I haven't posted much on here before, but this thread caught my eye since I'm seriously considering studying abroad during my junior year. Does anyone here know anything or have any experience with the Sevilla Conservatory of Music Exchange in Spain (Conservatorio Superior de Musica de Sevilla)? I'm planning on discussing it with my studio teacher, but he told me once before that he's never sent a student abroad. I'm a French horn majoring in Music Ed at SUNY Fredonia btw, if that helps any. </p>

<p>Thanks!</p>