Organ admission requirements for BA and non-degree studies
Admission requirements are the same for in person and online applicants unless indicated otherwise.
Main subject:
The two locations of the entrance examination for the academic year 2025/26 are the following:
Old Academy of Music, Bach Room
- J. G. Albrechtsberger: Trio in Es (6 trios for organ, Nr. 3) – played from memory
- a programme composed of pieces from the 16th–18th century literature, of max. 15 minutes
- a Geneva psalm (in Goudimel's style) with figured bass notation that is announced and received on the day of the exam
- a four-part Bach chorale to be played pedaliter, received on the spot
Béla Bartók Secondary School of Music, Gergely Ferenc Hall
- Ch. V. Alkan: Nr. 1 Allegro (11 Grandes Préludes op. 66 Nr. 1) played from memory and without register
- programme from the 19th–21st century chosen by the candidate, max. 15 minutes
- a piece announced on 2 May 2025
The auxiliary material to the Goudimel requirement can be downloaded from here.
The entrance examination committee shall retain the right to listen to the entire programme or parts of it.
Before the entrance examination the applicants have the opportunity to try the instrument.
GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS - ONLY FOR FULL-TIME BA STUDIES
A. SOLFEGE, MUSIC THEORY
General requirements: in-depth understanding of the theory of classical harmony (diatonic triads and seventh-chords, their inversions; double dominant; sharpened subdominants with diminished seventh [#IIo7, #IVo7] and their inversions), knowledge of simple and complex forms (incl. compound ternary form [Trio form]).
Written examination:
1.) Dictation of a four-part harmonic progression (max. 15 chords), notation of all parts; indication of the harmonic progression with figures above or below the bass line (figured bass) or with Roman and Arabic numerals. (Played 6 times.)
2.) Writing out, in close voicing, of two four-part harmonic progressions (max. 11 chords) from Roman and Arabic numberals.
3.) Dictation of a Baroque imitative polyphonic excerpt (max. 8 bars, 4/4 time signature, generally moving in quavers; played 10 times).
4.) Dictation of a sequence including ten triads and seventh-chords (and their inversions) built on common bass note. The chords should also be named. (Played 3 times.)
5.) Indication of the parts of simple and compound binary and ternary forms of a musical excerpt given on the spot. Indication of proper keys, modulations, cadences and functions are also needed.
Oral examination:
1.) Playing (on the keyboard) of four-part harmonic progressions in close voicing (max. 11 chords) with appropriate voice-leading (after dictation).
2.) Sight-singing of the vocal part of a German romantic song – selected first of all from the works of Schubert, Schumann and Brahms (max. 12 bars).
B. PIANO AS COMPULSORY SUBJECT
- J. S. Bach: a short prelude of higher difficulty level or a two-part invention.
- A movement from a classical sonata, or a sonatina movement of the same difficulty level.
- Bartók: one piece from "Microcosmos III" or from "For Children II".
- A solo piece of the above difficulty level.
C. FOLK MUSIC
- Informal conversation about the folk music of the candidate's country.