On 09.04.2024 Prof. Dr Bernd Clausen will give a guest lecture in room B U08 at 18:30.

The aptitude assessment as a selection instrument for admission to music teaching degree programs at conservatoires and universities has been the subject of controversial debates since the 1970s at the latest, some of which have intensified again in the last three years. In order to understand the aptitude assessment as an exclusionary control instrument and as part of a power-knowledge practice, it is helpful to look at its past and its developments. The lecture takes a cursory look back at the procedures used at the predecessor institutions of the University of Music Würzburg and critically examines the conditions that aspirants have to face. A brief look at research is also included, as well as reflections on a change of perspective on the aptitude assessment.

Bernd Clausen was Professor of Music Didactics/Music Pedagogy from 2008 to 2019 and was appointed Professor of Music Pedagogy at the University of Siegen in 2019. His work focuses on comparative music education and historical music education research as well as the theory and practice of culturally sensitive music teaching. His book entitled "Bildungsanspruch und Statuswechsel. Musiklehrkräftebildung in Würzburg aus institutiongeschichtlicher Perspektive", in which he examines the role of teacher training in the founding of the University of Music Würzburg's predecessor institution and the change of status in 1973 for the first time, supported by sources. Together with Gerhard Sammer, he published a highly regarded volume on music teacher training in 2023. Clausen is currently chairman of the "Arbeitskreis Musikpädagogische Forschung", board member of the Landesmusikakademie NRW and president of the Bundesverband Musikunterricht NRW.