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Vienna Summer - Music History & Performance
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Academics
Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. Specially designed for Music students, the Vienna Summer Music Program allows you to explore Music History and Music Performance in a city internationally recognized for its historical role in the development of classical music.
You enroll in two to four courses in Music History, Performance Studies, and/or German language for a total of 6-10 credits (an extra fee applies for students taking more than 6 credits). German language instruction is optional, and beginning German is available for students with less than one year of college-level German.
Music History
Each summer the Music History component focuses on a different topic and period rooted in the rich musical tradition of the city. These topics rotate on a four-year basis so that you can return year after year and continue to expand your horizons.
2022: Music of the Biedermeier Era
2023: Music of the Late 19th Century and Fin-de-Siècle
2024: The Second Viennese School and the Early 20th Century
2025: Music of the Viennese Classical Period
Performance Studies
The Music Performance Workshop (MS390) allows you to expand your repertoire and performance skills as you immerse yourself in the cultural surroundings and performance traditions of Vienna. You must audition to participate.
In addition to group sessions and lectures, the performance studies component includes individual technical training (up to six hours of private instruction is included in the program fee) and participation in master classes. The concluding event of the summer is a public concert held in the Baroque performance hall at the IES Abroad Center.
You can also take MS391 Individual Performance Studies for one credit hour.
German Language Study
The program allows you to study the German language at the beginning and intermediate levels. Part of the German language curriculum covers topics related to music and musical terms.
Courses
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.
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| GR 101 - German Language in Context: Novice Abroad I | Summer | German | 3 |
| GR 201 - German Language in Context: Novice Abroad III | Summer | German | 3 |
| GR 301 - German Language in Context: Emerging Independent I | Summer | German | 3 |
| Course Name | Term | Language | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| MS 372 - Music Of The Viennese Classical Period (2020) | Summer | English | 3 |
| MS 374 - Music In The Biedermeier Era (2017) | Summer | English | 3 |
| MS 378 - The Second Viennese School and the Early 20th Century (2019) | Summer | English | 3 |
| MS 390 - Music Performance Workshop | Summer | English | 3 |
| MS 391A - Individual Performance Studies | Fall, Spring, Summer | English | 1 |
Field Trips & Events
A weekend field trip, a day trip outside the city, and other excursions throughout Vienna bring you to sites that figure prominently in the lives and works of the composers being featured each summer. In addition, you have the opportunity to attend guest lectures by professional musicians.
Destinations are selected based on the featured topic or period of the summer, and have included:
- Eisenstadt (day trip)
- Prague and Salzburg (weekend trip)
- Museums in Vienna including the Haydn Museum, Strauss Museum, and Museum of Modern Art
Note: IES Abroad field trip destinations, activities and lengths of stay may vary according to term and availability.
Daily Life
Part of making you feel at home in Vienna is doing our best to help you feel safe and cared for. Whether it’s the orientation program that prepares you for what’s ahead, your housing that is well-located and comfortable, or the field trips that take you to places off the beaten path—we’re all about our student services. This is just one of the things we’re known for.
Orientation
Our orientation introduces you to the IES Abroad Vienna staff, your fellow students, and the city of Vienna. Our Comprehensive Orientation & Re-Entry Experience (CORE™) begins at home with our virtual orientation to help you prepare for your IES Abroad experience. Orientation continues upon arrival in Vienna. There, you'll participate in an on-site orientation program which introduces you to the city of Vienna, the IES Abroad program, and student life in the city. During the first few days, you will settle into your housing, take care of formalities, receive briefings on safety and security, and tour Vienna and the surrounding area.
Housing
We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café—not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave Vienna, it will feel like home.
You live in an apartment that typically accommodates four to five students. Apartments have Internet access and fully equipped kitchen facilities. Meals are not included in the program fee.
Get to Know Your New City
Experience an Opera at the Wiener Staatsoper
Students have the incredible opportunity to see world-class opera performances for only a few euros.
Relax Along the Danube Canal
Enjoy the late afternoon sun while you take in the tranquility of this waterway.
Visit a Museum or Two on a Rainy Day
Whether you’re into classic or modern art, history, science, architecture, or nearly anything else, at least one of the 100+ museums of Vienna will interest you.
Ride the Praterturm at Prater Park
The “Prater Tower” is the highest swing ride in the world, providing both thrills and spectacular views of the city!
Sip Wine at an Authentic Heuriger
These Viennese wine taverns serve locally-produced wines and snacks to thirsty and hungry patrons who sit at long picnic tables.
Program Cost
Consider these prices as a starting point. We encourage you to contact your study abroad office to determine the actual cost to you when factoring in financial aid, scholarships, your home school policies, and other factors.
| Term | Tuition | Housing | Insurance | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2023 | $6,163 | $2,056 | $135 |
$8,354 |
Scholarships & Aid
Featured Scholarships
Summer Need-Based Financial Aid
Open to students who apply to and attend an IES Abroad or IES Internships summer program.
Criteria reviewed to determine award:
- Level of financial need as determined from information provided on the application. Priority is given to Pell Grant recipients.
- IES Abroad program location.
- IES Abroad membership status of home campus
Use our budget worksheet to calculate your costs
$6+ Million in Scholarships & Aid
Our Center
While in Vienna, we want to ensure you have every opportunity to immerse yourself in new experiences. That’s why our IES Abroad Vienna Center staff is committed to providing outstanding academic and student support services. We take care of the details, so you can soak up every moment of your Vienna experience.
Also known as the Palais Corbelli, the IES Abroad Vienna Center is an elegant, early 18th-century palace in the heart of the city and is just minutes from many of the museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions that have bestowed international fame on Vienna.
Our Center is your connection point for all things IES Abroad.
- Take your IES Abroad classes in the Center’s classrooms
- Relax in the lovely student lounge
- Music students can take advantage of the practice rooms, recording studio, and instrument storage
- Enjoy a student concert (or perform in one!) in the rococo concert hall, featuring a Steinway D
Other features include WiFi, printer access, computer lab, and a small library.
Our Staff
Morten Solvik, Ph.D.
Center Director
An international scholar, Dr. Solvik holds a Ph.D. in Musicology from the University of Pennsylvania and a B.A. in Music and Intellectual History from Cornell University. Born in Norway, he speaks Norwegian, German, and English fluently, and uses French as a research language.
Dr. Solvik was instrumental in setting up the IES Abroad Vienna Music Program, which he has coordinated since 1999, and has also designed and taught numerous courses in Music History. In addition to his work with IES Abroad Vienna, Dr. Solvik has served as lecturer at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst (The University for Music and Performing Arts). His teaching and administrative experience is augmented by his active and productive scholarly career as an expert on Gustav Mahler.
IES Abroad Vienna Staff
Ginte Stankeviciute, M. Sc.
Academics Manager
Meral Kölblinger
Living in Vienna Coordinator
Mathias Schmerbach
Accounting and Business Operations
Elisabeth Sekulin
Assistant Director and Director of Operations
Tobias Sigmund
Student Affairs Manager
Gabriel Fernandez
Student Affairs Assistant
Holly Kooi
Housing Coordinator
Esra Yener
Student Affairs Assistant
Annemarie Struck
Student Affairs Assistant
Shelby West
Student Affairs Assistant
Kaja Ciupinska
Programs & Initiatives Manager
Kimyana Scherer
Special Programs and Initiative Assistant
Nika Proctic
Internship Coordinator
Ben Wyatt
Academic Program Manager
Jennifer Ebner-Daigle
Faculty Dean
Dieter Strobl
Facilities and IT Manager
Gavin Lord
Health and Safety Coordinator
Health & Safety
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 what time zone you’re in.
In response to COVID-19, enhanced safety guidelines will be implemented this year—such as social distancing and personal protective equipment (PPE) in on-site classes, in-country field trips and travel only, and apartment or residence hall housing (no homestays) that ensures proper space should self-quarantining be necessary.
How We Support You
We plan for "what if" 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.
Learn more about the support you can expect to receive on our programs, including:
- International health insurance through CISI in the case you need to see a doctor or mental health professional
- 24/7 emergency support whether you encounter an issue while traveling or in your host city
- Location-specific health and safety information presented at orientation by on-site staff
- TripTracker system allowing you to share independent travel plans in case you need to be contacted swiftly in a crisis
- A mandatory cell phone policy so that you can be contacted locally and receive any emergency updates via call or text
- Crisis drills so that you feel prepared to respond to an emergency should one arise
- And more!
Health & Safety Resources
You safety begins with being accurately informed from the moment you're considering study abroad through to the day you return home.
Take note of ways you can maintain your health and stay safe abroad while reviewing our resources, including:
- IES Abroad MAP for Student Health, Safety & Crisis Management
- Study Abroad Safety Tips for Traveling
- IES Abroad Student Blogs on Safety and Mental Health
- And more!
Latest from Vienna
Contact a Past Student
From budgeting tips to housing insight, IES Abroad Ambassadors volunteer their study abroad and internship experiences and advice.
