The University offers a wealth of subjects and in addition to piano, organ and singing students can also study: all of the orchestral instruments, composition, conducting of (orchestra and choir), guitar, harp and elementary music pedagogy (EMP). Musicology and the theory of music round-off our comprehensive range of practical subjects on offer in Stuttgart. All the subjects can be studied in either the artistic or music pedagogical courses. We also offer school music and church music. The orchestra academies with the SWR, the Württemberg State Orchestra and the Stirling-Phil-Academy, as well as the SWR Vocal Ensemble Academy, form an essential part of the programme.
Research is a central component of the HMDK Stuttgart, particularly in the academic subjects which have the right to award doctorates and habilitations. The subject range extends from historical musicology and performance studies to music education and music mediation; a structured doctoral programme in the field of artistic-scientific research is currently being developed. The programme is complemented by advanced Master’s programmes and specialised supplementary courses, which provide practical qualifications tailored to professional requirements.
With respect to the performing arts (opera school, theatre, visual theatre and puppetry, spoken arts) the University benefits from its own theater (Wilhelma Theatre) that is part of the University. For drama students, there is a drama studio run jointly by the Staatsschauspiel Stuttgart and other theatres in southern Germany.
Annually, there are about 450 public concerts in the architecturally attractive University building with its imposing, 50 m high tower in the center of the state capital Stuttgart. The University accommodates three concert halls with up to 500 seats. Around a 100 more concert- and theatre events are shown at the Wilhelma theater. About 85,000 visitors a year attend these events.
In addition to the university’s own theatre, the institution’s unique collection of eleven organs in various historical styles, a well-equipped studio for electronic music, the Visual Theatre and Puppetry course, and the country’s only degree programme in Speech Arts and Communication Education are further distinguishing features of the university.
CAMPUS GEGENWART is a regional centre for networking in practice and reflection. It is part of the HMDK Stuttgart and collaborates with the State Academy of Fine Arts, Stuttgart, and the Merz Academy – University of Design, Art and Media, Stuttgart. CAMPUS GEGENWART focuses on integrating current issues and artistic practices into everyday university life. The campus’s research projects involve transdisciplinary collaboration to reflect on our present from various perspectives within artistic and academic disciplines. Since 2022, the range of courses has been expanded to include the Master’s programme in Theory and Practice of Experimental Performance.
The University is organized into four faculties, eleven institutes, and six studios. One active support association and two University-own foundations sustain the university. For commercial tasks, the University can refer to its own GmbH as a subsidiary.
The State University of Music and the Performing Arts Stuttgart is a member of the Rectors’ Conference of the German Universities of Music, the HRK – German Rectors’ Conference, and also the Association Européenne des Conservatoires (AEC).
