The IES Abroad Vienna Music Program is ideal for students majoring or minoring in Music, and offers you the opportunity to participate in a wide selection of courses focusing on Music and European culture and society. The program is organized in conjunction with the Vienna European Society & Culture Program. You can select your courses from English- and German-taught options in Music History, Music Theory & Composition, Performance Studies, and more!
Once you’ve applied for a program, I’ll be your direct point of contact. From housing to course registration and everything in between, I’m here to help you prepare to study abroad. Once you’re accepted to your program, you’ll find even more detailed information about what you need to know before you depart in your Predeparture Guide. Let’s get started!
Home to an astounding number of legendary composers—from Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven to Brahms, Mahler, and Schoenberg—Vienna maintains an incredible richness of musical culture to this day. The world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, the Musikverein, and the Staatsoper are just a few of the many leading institutions that help make Vienna a true “city of music”—and make it the perfect location for an engaging study of Music History and Performance.
Navigating the German language as a non-German speaker! Spoiler alert: it's not as daunting as it seems.
Studio – Live in your own one-room studio apartment with a full-size bed, private bathroom and study space. Other amenities include a gym, WiFi, on-site laundry, bike share, and more.
Shared – Shared apartments offer fully furnished spaces for students and up to five roommates. The classically Viennese shared apartment comes equipped with 1-2 twin beds per bedroom, WiFi, access to laundry, and a shared kitchen, bathroom, and common space.
Studio Plus – The studio plus apartment features some of the amenities of a studio and includes a private kitchenette. Beneficial for those with specific dietary, sleep and/or study requirements.
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. We offer unique courses that explore Austrian History, Culture, Art, and many other topics through an in-depth and hands-on approach. Our world-class professors, as well as course options at prestigious local universities, enhance your academic experience and provide you with new perspectives each day both in and out of class.
You'll take 15–19 credit hours per semester, and all courses are worth 3 credits unless otherwise specified. Language courses are taught in German, and all other courses are taught in English, unless otherwise noted. Academic programming is scheduled five days a week.
If you have taken fewer than two years of college-level German or the equivalent, you enroll in English-taught IES Abroad courses. If you have advanced-level German language proficiency, you may enroll in a combination of German- and English taught courses or all German-taught IES Abroad courses. Students with strong language skills can also enroll in local university courses at the Universität Wien.
You create your academic experience by selecting from the following required and optional program components:
Music Performance Workshop
A special feature of the program is the Music Performance Workshop, a course designed to offer instrumentalists and vocalists the opportunity to expand their repertoire and enhance their performance skills. Interested students submit a special application and audition to be admitted to the workshop. As part of the Music Performance Workshop, you can enjoy the following features:
Auditions
Music Performance Workshop auditions are currently done virtually. This gives the music department faculty a chance to assess your artistry and technical proficiency.
Additional Program Features
Note for Clarinet, Oboe, Horn, and Percussion Instrumentalists
The clarinet, oboe, and horn as taught and played in Vienna have a different construction and require a different technique than found in the U.S. However, IES Abroad maintains contact with instructors that teach and play in both traditions, so lessons are not a problem. You can view this as a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of the instrument. Percussion studies in Vienna are particularly distinct from in the U.S. IES Abroad does not encourage timpani or percussion students to pursue their studies in Vienna unless they are particularly willing to overcome this complication. The same applies to most areas of jazz, computer, and popular music.
To learn more about IES Abroad’s innovative theoretical and pedagogical approaches to teaching language abroad, refer to the IES Abroad MAP for Language & Intercultural Communication.
*In addition to your program’s specified coursework, you can take any of the area studies courses offered through our European Society & Culture Program.
NOTE: This is a list of planned course offerings. After you are accepted, you will see a list of final course offerings in your MyIESabroad account. Additionally, IES Abroad reserves the right to cancel a course due to insufficient enrollment or circumstances beyond our control.
| Course name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| AN/SO 345 - Comparative Austrian and European Youth Cultures: Theories and Practices | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
| AN/SO 328 - The Culture of Immigration | Fall, Spring | English | 3 |
Getting your passport is a crucial step for studying abroad. With processing times taking longer than usual, consider this a gentle reminder to not procrastinate on getting or renewing your passport.
Even though your adventure starts in Vienna, our field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. All trips are included in the program fee unless otherwise noted with ($).
NOTE: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities, and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Spend a weekend in Styria, Austria's southeastern province that borders Slovenia, known for its picturesque vineyards and delicious wines. This trip also includes a visit to Graz, Austria's second-largest city
Visit the spectacular region of the Danube Valley where castles are perched high above the river and some of Austria's best wines are cultivated. Includes a tour of the famous Melk Abbey.
Ski down the beautiful slopes of the Austrian Alps! The trip includes lodging, equipment rental, a ski pass for two days, and lessons for beginners.
Did you know that you can intern as part of your study abroad experience in Vienna? With a part-time internship, you’ll gain global work experience that will increase your job readiness and give you an advantage after graduation. With an internship, you will:
All of our internships are supervised and earn IES Abroad credit. You will participate in a 3-credit seminar, which complements the practical experience gained during the internship helping you better understand work life in your host country. Internships generally include 8-12 hours per week of work. Proficiency in German language is not generally required, but can be helpful in securing certain Arts & Culture and Business internship placements.
We firmly believe that financial limitations should not prevent a qualified student from studying abroad. This is why we commit millions of dollars to our study abroad scholarships and aid.
The Center is where our highly trained local staff provide on-the-ground support throughout your time abroad.
The IES Abroad Vienna Center is an elegant, early 18th-century palace called the Palais Corbelli, and is in a bustling central part of the city. Whether you’re visiting any number of the museums, taking in a show at a historic theater, or finding a park to study in, the Center is your study abroad hub.
With 70 years of experience, we are proud to set the standard for health and safety in study abroad. Our Chicago-based and on-site staff are all highly trained and experienced in the matters of health, safety, and crisis management. We are here for you from predeparture to your return, and are ready to support you—no matter which time zone you’re in. We plan for "what ifs" so that you don’t have to. From international health insurance included in the cost of your program to highly-trained local staff who can connect you to English-speaking healthcare providers, we are working around the clock to ensure your health and safety while abroad.
No one knows the IES Abroad experience better than a student who has lived it! From budget tips to housing experiences, our volunteer Ambassadors are here to share it all.
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