Introductory Course in Kodály-based Musical Training

Objectives

• a musical training course based on the renowned Kodály Concept aimed at the harmonious development of the trainee’s general musicianship skills and musical knowledge
• It also serves as a preparatory course for students wishing to enter the BA degree course of the Institute.

Eligibility

• high-school graduates, university students, musicians and music pedagogues wishing to enrich their professional experiences received through the intensive training programme of the Kodály Institute
• non-professionals with special interest in musical art and in Hungarian musical culture (Please check the minimum requirements of the musicianship level for this study programme: Musicianship entry requirements.)
• successful completion of the admission requirements

Admission documents

• completed online application form
• completed questionnaire that can be downloaded from here: doc file / pdf file
• curriculum vitae focusing on musical and professional background, including a photo of the applicant
• university transcripts or copy of highest school certificate
• motivation letter written in English by the applicant
• the names of two referees with their email addresses to be provided in the questionnaire
• English language certificate (only for those students whose first language is not English) - e.g. IELTS Academic 5.0 or higher or an equivalent of this exam, TOEFL iBT min. 60, Cambridge min. 154
• proof of payment of the non-refundable application fee of 132 EUR
• demonstration video (see details below in Admission Requirements)

Admission requirements

• demonstration video of the applicant’s piano and vocal performance (acceptable digital formats: mp4 or mpeg4 files submitted via web link/url)
  Vocal performance: 
  - 1 unaccompanied traditional song/folk song to be sung in the applicant's native language
  - 1 art song with instrumental (piano, organ, guitar, etc.) accompaniment, has to be performed by memory
  Piano:
  1 or 2 piano pieces freely chosen from the applicant's repertoire, appropriate to the applicant's current technical level
• demonstrated intermediate English language skills
• online interview during which time the applicant will be asked about his/her past professional experiences, ambitions, and special interests (if any).
• In addition to the application materials, all students are required to complete a musicianship (solfége and music theory) placement test (written and aural) during the online admissions procedure. Based on the results, students will be assigned to different study groups during the academic year. The faculty reserves the right to alter the groups. View samples of the written and aural placement test from the past.
• Musicianship entry requirements

course content

Compulsory Subjects:

• Introduction to Kodály’s Educational Philosophy (60 mins / week, 1st semester only) – 1 unit
• Introduction to Kodály’s Lifework (60 minutes per week, 2nd semester only) – 1 unit
• Musicianship (Solfege and Music Theory) (240 mins / week) – 4 units
• Voice (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Piano (30 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Choir (180 mins / week) – 1 unit
• The History and Literature of Western Classical Music (90 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Basic Studies in Folk Music (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Chamber Music (30 mins / week) – 1 unit

Electives:

• Kokas Pedagogy (60 mins / week) – 1 unit
• Score Reading (30 mins / week) – 1 unit

Extracurricular:

• English language - with emphasis on musical terminology (60 mins / week, if applicable, based on the language test) – 1 unit 
• Hungarian culture and history (180 mins / week, 3 units)

Course Content is also available here in pdf.

Please note: 
1. Electives and extracurricular subjects are offered for additional fees (based on the unit fee). 
2. Admissions to observe classes are based on the faculty's prior consent. Students wishing to observe extra classes (besides the Compulsory and Elective subjects) must pay 50% of the observed unit fee. 
3. Hungarian language is also offered as an optional subject free of charge.

Certificate issued

A certificate of studies is awarded to those having completed all the compulsory subjects of the relevant non-degree course. 

A certificate of participation is given to students who have not completed all the requirements for the relevant courses or who were enrolled for part-time studies.

Expenses

PAYMENT

Tuition fees - based on the pro-forma invoice issued by the Institute - must be paid for the first semester prior to enrollment.

Ways of payment:

1) by bank transfer:

Bank name: HUNGARIAN NATIONAL BANK / Hungarian State Treasury
Bank address: 1139 Budapest, Váci út 71., Hungary
Name of account holder: Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Egyetem
Address of account holder: 1061 Budapest, Liszt Ferenc tér 8., Hungary
EUR-based account number: IBAN HU34 1003 2017 0142 6768 0601 0014
Swift code (SWIFTBIC): MANEHUHB or HUSTHUHB (or HUSTHUHBXXX if the system requires 11 characters to input)

Please write this reference into the appropriate field when transferring: "Kodály Institute"

2) by banking card:

Types of cards accepted: all kinds of VISA, EUROCARD/MASTERCARD, American Express.
Please contact us for details regarding this way of payment.

Please be aware that paying by banking card involves a 2-5% commission that the bank charges on the card holder. Please make sure with your bank at home that transactions are allowed in Hungary. 

Please note that we cannot accept cash and cheques.

LATE PAYMENT

For those students who do not pay their fees by the given deadline the late payment fee is 50 EUR/month.

Updated: 01.12.2025