Recorder education at our university
Since 2015, recorder education at the Nuremberg University of Music has been organised jointly by Prof. Jeremias Schwarzer, Prof. Ralf Waldner (accompaniment), Prof. Maurice Steger as a regular guest lecturer and a team of teaching assistants. A basic principle is to see the university as a place of exchange and networking on many aspects of recorder studies: The "Forum Recorder", which has taken place annually in January since 2013, has developed into an internationally recognised meeting platform for students and teachers from several European universities.
The history of recorder education in Nuremberg
Nuremberg was one of the most important centres of recorder making in the Baroque period. The many interesting relationships between recorder making and repertoire have always been a theme of recorder training and education in Nuremberg. The predecessor institution of the University of Music already had a long and successful tradition of recorder teaching. Sebastian Kelber (1934-1977), one of the first professional recorder players of the 20th century, founded recorder training at the Meistersinger Conservatory. His successors, Birgit Beyer and Prof. Peter Thalheimer, shaped the profile of the Department of Historical Instruments and Early Music for many years and were instrumental in its transition to the Nuremberg University of Music.
Situated on the banks of Lake Wöhrder, the listed university building has been beautifully renovated and is easily accessible. There is plenty of opportunity for students and lecturers to meet outside and in the cafeteria, where the menu changes daily (including vegan!). Join us and look forward to meeting great fellow students!
Quote from Students 2023
Study programmes
The University of Music offers one of the widest ranges of recorder courses in the world. In addition to training in all areas of repertoire, consort and chamber music projects, detailed study guidance allows for individual specialisation to meet the diverse interests of our applicants.
The programmes at our universtity are flexible and allow for individual specialisation and focus throughout the course. Accordingly, all recorder students design their course of study and qualification goals individually.
The main subject classes are highly individualised. All students receive personalised advice. Double majors, different specialisations and concentrations are not only accepted but actively encouraged. Individual life situations are also taken into account.
Quote from students 2023
Promotion of young talents
The recorder class at the Nuremberg University of Music has a very high quality programme for the promotion of young talent: the young students, aged between 13 and 18, are given individual tuition in the main subject recorder by all the main subject teachers, they also form an ensemble together and are regularly involved in projects with the main subject students.
They can regularly take part in joint projects and seminars with the young students of other instruments in cross-class programmes.
Young people from all over Bavaria are regularly invited to take part in the open master classes and team teachings of Prof. Jeremias Schwarzer, Prof. Maurice Steger and Prof. Ralf Waldner (accompaniment). This creates a broad network of young people of the same age, who can also be optimally prepared for the aptitude tests for university studies.
Early Music skills
The annual Early Music Festival, the Forum for Historical Musical Instruments (in cooperation with the Germanisches Nationalmuseum), the Baroque Opera and numerous seminars on performance practice and ensemble projects with students and teachers from the Early Music Department provide a wide range of opportunities for recorder students. Adriana Breukink's own University Consort offers weekly rehearsals and lessons to familiarise and deepen students' knowledge of the repertoire for recorder ensembles of the 16th and 17th centuries.
There are, of course, weekly ensemble lessons with baroque chamber music and projects with Adriana Breukink's own consort. In addition to the theoretical minor subjects, a wide range of professionalisation courses in subjects such as stage presence and concert presentation are an integral part of the course.
Quote from students 2023
Contemporary music skills
Over the last 30 years many new original compositions for recorder have been written and now form an integral part of the recorder repertoire alongside early music. As well as studying some of the central works of the contemporary recorder repertoire, you will be encouraged to develop your own projects, to be inspired by new works by composers of your own generation, and to collaborate with renowned composers on their works. In recent years recorder students have had the opportunity to work with José Maria Sanchez Verdú, Kees Boeke, Violeta Dinescu, Samir Odeh-Tamimi, Sandeep Bhagwati, Moritz Eggert and others.
Pedagogy skills
We offer excellent training in all areas of instrumental and vocal pedagogy. Caroline Hausen is responsible for the methodology of the recorder.
Methodology provides you with the necessary theoretical background for teaching the recorder, but the emphasis is clearly on teaching practice: as a student you will gain your own experience - from teaching beginners with children's groups to working with advanced young people and senior citizens. You will study all the literature relevant to the teaching of the recorder. The course is complemented by music education projects in collaboration with local music schools and teachers. This provides students with the tools for creative and holistic teaching.
As students, we can have a say in many important matters relating to our field of study (purchase of new instruments, guest lecturers for masterclasses, teaching assignments, exchange projects, etc.)
Quote from Students 2023
Creative skills for the 21st century
Our university offers numerous seminars and projects in the field of artistic research and interdisciplinarity. Recorder students regularly take part in innovative projects, for example in interdisciplinary teams with students from the Academy of Fine Arts, and in competitions for innovative concert formats. There are also regular projects and collaborations with students from other German universities.
We offer individual advice on career planning and competitions. Your own concert activities are strongly encouraged through preparation and a wide range of contacts. You have the freedom to make your own mark.
Quote from Students 2023
There are a number of performance opportunities throughout the academic year. Nuremberg audiences attend our recorder class performances in large numbers and with great interest.
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