Has anyone taken/ is taking the BA in General Music Studies with Kodaly Emphasis? Please comment here if you're taking the BA or if you know anyone who is taking it!

Or if you're taking the one year diploma course in the institute, please help me answer a few questions!

• Does the diploma course teaches things such as: Music theory (harmony/counterpoint/composition) and techniques on the piano?
• Do you think it gives you enough knowledge to teach piano (according to ABRSM) till grade 8? For both theory and practical!
• How's Kecskemet generally like? And what about the spoken language? Do you find it hard to communicate generally as i presume the main language is not in English? And what about the cost of living in Kecskemet!
• Is it possible to practice (piano) regularly in the institute!
• What's the general age range for those who's taking the diploma course?
• Lastly, do you know anyone who's taking the BA?

Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Thank you so much in advance

I think JudithJ and I have already answered many of your questions by PM but here are my thoughts again:

I have never studied on the BA course so please don't take my answers as gospel but I would think that:

1) Yes - you study all these things and have piano lessons as well
2) They don't know anything about ABRSM grades in Hungary but I am quite sure that you would be well equipped to teach grade exams in piano and theory by the end - the wonderful piano teacher Orsolya Szabo teaches piano pedagogy too
3) Kecskemet is the most BEAUTIFUL place! A lovely, lovely town, full of amazing buildings and it just has a lovely atmosphere. One of my Dutch friends goes there every year and calls it his 'second home'. All the teaching at the Institute is done in English. You will find lots of people in shops etc. who speak English although there are also a lot of native people who only speak Hungarian. One of the options on the course is Hungarian language if you want to learn it. I can only really say, 'Good morning', 'Yes', 'No', 'Thank you', 'Thank you very much' and 'Please forgive me', which just about get you through most things .
I can't say too much about the cost of living other than it is cheaper than the UK.
4) Yes. If you stay in the Institute itself, which is possible, all rooms have their own piano.
5) I would say the average age is people in their 20s although there are several who are older.
6) No, sorry, I don't. I had two friends did the MA last year but I don't know anyone on the BA course.

I'm sure JudithJ will help further.

Hammerklavier spent a year at the Institute but didn't do the BA course - he may be able to help, too. I don't think anyone else on the forum has studied there.

Hehe I'm just trying my luck here
I've actually emailed the institute, but they didn't reply! Hopefully someone who's taking the BA sees this thread! I need more information regarding the BA, this website isn't really helpful in the sense that it doesn't gives any description for the subjects! So I'm not sure what these are: Philosophy, Aesthetics, Ethics, Acoustics
And pardon my ignorance..there seem to be an awful lot of contact hours for choir and voice training? But i can't sing and it feels weird as it kinda feel like singing is my main instrument you know? Since there's more hours for singing rather than for piano lessons

Err...that's because the Kodaly approach focuses on teaching musicianship through singing...(it is not uncommon in Hungary for music undergraduates to major in musicianship rather than an instrument).

Try e-mailing them again - if no luck let me know and I'll see what I can do.

The institute may be closed for the Easter holiday - at least for a few days if not more.

Oh right, sorry haha. Once again, thank you so much for your help!