Music and Musical Life in Germany

Specialised Course & Language Course

Period: 04.-30.08.2013

Target Group: Medium and Upper Levels (B1 - C2). This course is for anyone who has an interest in German music and music history.

Requirements: German language skills level B1 or higher. The participants in this course should have fun in making music. Please bring portable instruments to the course if possible.

The world famous Richard Wagner Festival in Bayreuth is an important part of Germany's musical life. Against this background, the summer university offers a course for all students interested in music. Subject knowledge, language work, musical practice and thoughts on the cultural influence of one's approach to music are brought together through the combination of language and subject courses.

Specialised Course "Music and Musical Life in Germany"

In this course you become familiar with the regional aspects of musical life in Germany: Cultural music institutions, musical education and management of concerts. In cooperation with the "Festival of Young Artists in Bayreuth" you visit lectures on the life and time of Richard Wagner, panel discussions, and performances (see also www.YoungArtistsBayreuth.com). And your practical musical ability will come into its own: you produce musical pieces together (vocal and instrumental) for the main concert at the end of the summer university.

Intercultural Language Course

The language course in the morning serves as a linguistic and regional introduction to the social context of Germany's musical life.

Within each level, all courses deal with the following regional topics with varying degrees of difficulty:

Germany Through Foreign Eyes
Everyday Life in Germany
Regional Variety
Cultural Variety
Germany in the World

"German as a foreign language" consists not only of vocabulary and correct sentence structure. Germans also structure their conversations in a particular way and adhere to a culture-specific set of values. This adherence to culture in communication is a particular focus. Therefore a connection between foreign language and foreign understanding is formed.

At the start of the summer university, you will be allocated to the course which is most suitable for you by means of an assessment. You strengthen your German language skills through dealing with stylistics, idiomology, and vocabulary relevant to the issue. Aspects of German literature, culture, and society will be analysed and discussed. You can also give your own presentation if you wish.

This course has 28 hours per week:

20 hours language course in the morning from 9:00am to 12:20pm and 8 hours in the afternoon from 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm.

With regular attendance and a successfully passed final exam, you will receive ECTS credits for this course.

You may choose from the culture programme in the afternoon and evening according to your interests.

Cost: Course fee 650 € + registration fee 100 € + accomodation