Dates
May 27 - June 26, 2026Subjects
MusicDeadlines
Dec. 1: Apply Early & Save $100Feb. 5: Regular Deadline
Program Overview
The KIIS summer program in Salzburg, Austria offers you a unique opportunity to study, practice, and study the performing arts in this beautiful European city. Birthplace of Mozart and home to the world-famous Mozarteum, Salzburg has long been renowned as an international and historical performing arts center. Salzburg also is a city of stunning architecture. Founded in the 8th Century, Salzburg displays evidence of Roman culture, the Middle Ages (notably the Festung), and wonderfully-preserved Baroque buildings. Situated on the banks of the Salzach River, nestled near the Alps, home to three universities, and filled with hospitable people, Salzburg indeed is a magical city. The program also includes a day trip to Munich and an overnight excursion to Vienna.
Note: Studying abroad likely is more physically strenuous than you are used to at home. KIIS study abroad programs typically involve approx. 5-10 miles of walking (approx. 10,000-20,000 steps) or the like in a day, including the possibility of walking, hiking, and climbing stairs in heat and humidity, over elevations at higher altitudes, and over rocky terrain. See Health & Wellness for more information.
Program Director
As a musicologist with an international performing career, I am a passionate believer in study abroad. I lived and performed overseas for many years in Europe, Asia, and South America, and I have experienced firsthand the ways that travel and cultural exchange influence young musicians to grow, stretch, and blossom. I have been part of the KIIS Salzburg program since 2009 and look forward to introducing students to the rich culture and music history of this part of the world!Dr. Scot Buzza
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Courses
All courses are taught in English and are 3 credit hours. You may enroll in 1-2 courses. Courses are divided into time-blocks. You cannot select 2 courses in the same time block.
Students will explore the development of Western Music in western civilization from the earliest sources to the eighteenth century (ca. 1750). The course will use readings, discussions, videos, podcasts, and musical analysis to address such important trends as the development of music notation, the formulation of tonality, the emergence of polyphony, the development of harmony, and the evolution of the aesthetics of the Renaissance and Baroque periods.
Students will explore the development of Western music from the Classical period to the present. The course will use readings, discussions, videos, podcasts, and musical analysis to address such important trends as developments in tonality, the emergence of instrumental music forms, the development of Romanticism, and the evolution of the aesthetics of the twentieth century.
This course is designed to equip students with the essential professional skills required for building a successful and sustainable career in the field of music. Through a comprehensive exploration of self-marketing, networking strategies, and interviewing techniques, students will gain valuable insights and practical tools to navigate the competitive landscape of the music industry.
A study of the various structural elements of music: melodic, rhythmic, harmonic and textural. There is an emphasis on traditional structural concepts and terminology from sub-phrase units through single-movement classical forms. This course gives students fundamental criteria for evaluating musical structure in tonal works. Students will experience the locations and culture that shaped this music through excursions in Salzburg, Vienna, and Munich.
A study of dance-based movements in instrumental works of the Classical and Romantic periods. Students will discover the cultural and historical aspects of social dances from the 1500’s through the 1800’s. They will then analyze the techniques composers used to transform these dances into artistically significant concert hall music.
Student musicians will develop conducting techniques through analysis and score study, individual and group exercises, study of conducting drills, individual works and excerpts, individual “podium” time for conducting and rehearsing, and self-evaluation of videotaped exercises.
This course consists of historical and advanced theoretical study of several glorious works from Mozart’s life. Especially appropriate for those preparing for graduate study, this course will help students develop score study skills and reinforce almost every topic covered in the traditional music theory sequence, all while peering “under the hood” of some of the finest music ever composed.
All KIIS course credit is awarded by Western Kentucky University. Prior to your KIIS program, please speak with your home campus academic advisor and/or study abroad office to determine course equivalencies. Grades will be transferred to your home institution in mid-August after the completion of the program. Course offerings are subject to change according to enrollment. For more information, visit Transcripts & Grades.
Program Excursions
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Mozart Stiftung Archive Visit
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Munich Day Trip
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Vienna Excursion
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The Festung Hohensalzburg
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The Dom zu Salzburg
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Mozart Birthplace, Mozart’s Wohnhaus, and Mozart’s Vienna Apartment
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Domquartier Excursion
Group Flight
ESTIMATED COST $1,900 – $2,000
The Salzburg program offers a group flight option where you can travel to/from Salzburg with other students and faculty. If you choose this option, KIIS will purchase a roundtrip flight ticket for you. The flight cost will be added to your final program fee on April 1. The group flight will depart from Cincinnati or Louisville and fly to Munich, Germany where the group will then travel together to Salzburg, Austria.
If not selecting the group flight, you are responsible to purchase your individual flight.
The flight to Munich, Germany is overnight arriving the following morning. On the return, the flight from Munich, Germany to the USA departs and arrives on the same day. Visit Flights and Passports & Visas for more information.