All-round guitar

In short

In music studios and on stage, the marriage of different styles has been common for a long time. We think more and more in terms of cross-over and begin to see that the line between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’ is getting thinner in music. Teachers are expected to be flexible, when a student values Johann Sebastian Bach the same as Andy McKee or Eric Clapton.

The unique course All-round Guitar gives you the possibility to study your instrument in all its aspects. We are looking for young musicians, who don’t fit into the traditional music categories.

Philosophy and objectives 

We are convinced that free, musical experimentation is becoming crucial in the modern time. All-round Guitar brings together many important musical genres and techniques to create a new kind of cross-over. We offer a great education to the broadly interested guitarist. Without borders, but supporting the student’s own stylistic development – beyond the mainstream and free of dogmas.

At the end of this four-year Bachelor, you decide what your music should sound like, guided by your own taste. The development and refinement of this personal taste is key at ArtEZ. We work with content, creativity and knowledge, keeping the student in first place.

Beside the individual programme, you follow a specific curriculum together with the other students. This consists of among others:

• guitar Classical Music (main subject)
• guitar Jazz Jazz & Pop
• guitar, various techniques, such as Flamenco, Bossanova, and Fingerstyle
• practice-based theory
• pedagogy subjects

This degree is taught in English.

What do we expect from you?

In addition to the general admission criteria, we have some specific requests. The list below consists of examples. You may choose to play different pieces with a similar level of difficulty. During the audition, you perform these works in front of the admission committee, who decides which parts they would like to hear. The audition takes up to 45 minutes.

Your technical abilities will be tested by:

• one etude, for example: Sor - Etudes (Segovia Ed), Carcassi - Etudes opus 60 (Schott), Aguado - 24 Etuden (Schott), Giuliani - Etudes opus 48 (UE) of Brouwer - Etudes simples (Eschig).
• three performance pieces of varying character and from different stylistic period, for example: Dowland – Solo works 1 en 2 (UE), Giuliani - Three Sonatinas opus 71, Ponce - 12 Preludes (Schott), or Carlevaro - Preludios Americanos Campo, Ronda (Barry). One of these performance pieces may also be a (improvised) piece of world music or own work.
• one piece of Jazz or Pop on electric guitar, to be performed with an own band. If necessary, you can choose to be accompanied by a band of the Academy of Music (costs apply). Of course, it is best to play with your own band, in order to show what you are working on and to emphasise your strengths. Note: your level on electric guitar doesn’t need to be perfect.

Flexibility and learning skills

Beside the performance of the works listed above, we will subject you to a critical teaching situation. During this mini-lesson, the teacher will treat a subject, which can be used on the guitar. The committee will assess your learning skills and flexibility as a guitarist, not your technical skills on this part. The lesson may be on a variety of techniques and/or musical styles, such as finger picking, improvisation, baroque guitar, or death metal.

Portfolio

One of the admission criteria is the portfolio. Send your digital portfolio at least two weeks prior to your audition. It should include what you have been doing musically, how broad your repertoire is, and in what way you want to present yourself (including photographs, audio and/or video recordings). Please email your portfolio to the education office in Zwolle: conservatorium.zwolle@artez.nl

Interview

At the end of your audition the committee will interview you on your audition and portfolio.