An Artist’s Dream University

While we were staying with our Uncle Soto and Tante Gisela, they took us to Folkwang University in Essen, Germany, where Uncle Soto worked as a music professor, specializing in opera, for 25 years.  It was really special to see it with him so he could give us the inside scoop on the things that we were seeing.

The University is one of the finest schools in Germany for the Arts. The curriculum includes music (vocal and instrumental), opera, dance, theatre, and design as well as academic studies. All the teaching staff are internationally recognized as successful artists, academic professionals, and designers.

The facade of the main building

A courtyard

The library

The building complex is very beautiful.  The university grounds were originally home to an abbey. In later years, the buildings served as a residence, then a prison before being converted into the university. The newest building in the complex, the library, is built over the ruins of a military hospital. Its external walls are made of glass covering close-up photos of marble by photographer Stefan Müller who went to a quarry to get the pictures. There are 12 different images behind the glass to reference the 12 notes on a score. When I first saw this building, I thought it was made out of marble because it looked so real!

One of the auditoriums

Free earplugs!

Since the programs are of such high quality, admission to the school is highly competitive. We heard a presentation on the admission to the musical theatre program and it sounded pretty challenging to be accepted.

• First, one has to sing two songs, a ballad to show your voice range and an uptempo song usually from a musical, for the music professors.
• Then one would have to go down to the dance classroom and get taught choreography which one would then have to perform. The professors want to make sure that the students who wish to do this course have a general knowledge of dance.
• After this, one would perform a monologue to show acting skills, followed by a one-on-one interview.

These auditions are watched by a panel of judges.  All the students who wish to attend must give proof that they are fluent in the German language, as all the courses and lectures are in this language.  I had no idea that some universities have such a big test to be admitted.  When it’s my turn to go to university, I may have to do a similar entrance test!

The slideshow presentation

A third year student singing

Another third year student

These auditions take place over three days and the order of the students goes by where they live. The first to audition would be the ones who live in the city, then the people who live around it, next those from Germany, and last, those coming from other countries.

This semester, there are 150 applicants for the musical theatre program, but not all of them will get in.  The 150 applicants are brought down to 14 finalists, which are then brought down to 6. Those 6 people, usually 3 girls and 3 boys, are accepted into the course. As one can tell, this is highly competitive and the best people are chosen each semester.  What makes it even more amazing is that once accepted, the students can attend the university for FREE!  In fact, all the universities programs are FREE for everyone who is accepted, no matter where they come from!  Just imagine, no saving for school and no student debt!

Knowing that my uncle Soto was a professor here makes the university even more special. Visiting it has definitely opened my eyes to other education programs around the world. Maybe if I learn German, this is a school I may want to attend….

To see a video of the Folkwang students, click the play button.