The University of Music and Theatre has about 900 students, making it one of Germany’s larger art colleges. The proportion of foreign students from 45 countries is constantly rising and is one of the highest at any institute of higher education in Saxony.

A very broad range of subjects can be studied at our university. At present they comprise artistic and teacher training in all orchestral instruments, voice, piano, coaching, lieder interpretation, piano chamber music, orchestral conducting, composition, jazz, popular music, musicals, early music, church music, choir conducting and the organ, as well as répétiteur training. In addition, the drama departments teach acting and dramaturgy. For those studying an instrument or singing, during the Basic Studies one and a half hours of teaching every week are devoted to each student’s major. Special courses can be attended for instruments taken as minors (such as the piccolo, cor anglais, bass clarinet, saxophone and double bassoon). Special emphasis is placed on weekly orchestral practice and chamber music. During the first two semesters, students are normally expected to acquire a sound grasp of teaching methodology, too. Aspects of the curriculum which continue right through the degree programme include other academic subjects, theoretical and practical aspects of music, and learning the skills of a répétiteur.

Advanced students can pass an audition to stand in for members of the Gewandhaus Orchestra or the MDR Symphony Orchestra. Highlights of the study at our University include regular co-operation between its orchestra and famous conductors such as Kurt Masur, Herbert Blomstedt and Fabio Luisi.

The University of Music and Theatre offers a wide variety of postgraduate programmes leading to higher artistic qualifications as well as master classes.
Furthermore, doctorates can be gained in musicology, music education and dramaturgy.