The amount of music lessons to be taught is determined in the Stundentafeln (time tables) of the federal states. Either it has the status of a mandatory or ‘compulsory elective’ subject under its own name, or it is indirectly a component of larger learning areas or combined subjects. The states differ in the number of weekly hours they allot to music, and in a particular state, the number varies between different types of schools.
Note
This table shows the hours allotted to music at secondary school level I as far as they can be determined from the websites of the educational ministries of the states involved. For information on the basic structure of the educational system in Germany, including a classification of the various states‘ school types, see ‘Basic Structure of the Educational System in the Federal Republic of Germany’.
Legend
X = Grade level is not part of this type of school (or its secondary level I).
– = No music instruction allotted.
Footnotes
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Only compulsory elective group IIIb.
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Secondary schools in Berlin and Brandenburg begin at grade 7.
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Depending on the resources of the school concerned, the proportion of lessons can be increased on a subject-specific basis through the ‘Compulsory elective area of informatics, visual arts, music and theatre’.
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Depending on the resources of the school concerned, the proportion of lessons can be increased on a subject-specific basis through the ‘Compulsory elective area of visual arts, music, theatre, informatics and applied science’.
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Expires in the 2018-19 school year.
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Only 1 hour as of the 2019-20 school year.
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One hour each in music history, music theory, ear training, piano/guitar, voice and choral training.
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Two hours each in main instrument, music theory and ear training, chorus/orchestra; one hour each in rhythm, music education; one half-hour piano as supplementary subject.
Source information
Compiled by Ortwin Nimczik using information from the State Ministries of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK).
