Application and admission

You may request to take an introductory class. During this class you will get to know the teacher better and get an idea of your level and your possibilities. You can also discuss possible programme elements for the entrance examination with the teacher.

Request a class via conservatorium.arnhem@artez.nl, stating the degree programme (Jazz & Pop), your main instrument and if you have any preference for a specific main subject teacher.

Please note: Taking an introductory class is possible from December through March and is only available if you have not yet auditioned for Jazz & Pop Arnhem before.

During your audition we will not look at the styles you have mastered, but at your musical skills and qualities in general. If you play a lot of jazz music, we assume that you will also demonstrate this during your entrance exam. This also applies to other styles. If you are broadly developed, let us especially hear different styles during the audition. 

We expect that you already have some experience in a style that falls within jazz or pop music. You will be judged on your technical command and musical expression. Your verbal motivation is an important part of your admission. 

Band
To assess your ensemble playing skills, playing with a minimum of two persons as accompaniment is mandatory. Auditioning with just a backing track or completely solo/in a duo setting is a no-go.

If you are unable to bring your own musicians, we offer the option of hiring Jazz & Pop students. You can request this in your application via Studielink or via e-mail if you had already applied. Click here for more info on hiring the ArtEZ student band.

It is of course best to play with your own band, as this will allow you to really demonstrate what kind of musician you are and what your strengths are. 

Procedure
For your audition you will put together an setlist of five pieces that are slightly different in character and tempo. 

You will choose the first song to perform, after which the examination committee will choose one or more pieces.

The examination committee consists of a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 Jazz & Pop teachers.

Candidates are often asked to demonstrate specific skills during an entrance audition. Playing scales, playing a fragment from sheet music à vue, or repeating an instrumental or vocal fragment by ear are examples of this. For more info on what this could be like for your instrument; see the major-specific admission requirements. 

The aspects the teachers focus on include: 

• Command of the principal instrument
• Interaction, presentation, creativity, tone
• The ability to improvise
• Affinity with one or more of the following styles: jazz, free improvisation, fusion, latin, pop, rock. 

Result
Directly after your audition, the committee will confer briefly, after which they will inform you of their decision. If you have passed the audition, you will be scheduled for a theory exam.

An oral/written theory exam of a maximum of 30 minutes will be administered after you have passed the audition. In most cases this exam will take place on the same day; if this is not the case you will be informed about this in a timely fashion.

Start training your auditory and notation skills, your ability to sing from sheet music and read/write rhythms, and your harmonic ear well ahead of time. Also train your knowledge of general music theory.

See also the general music theory criteria and aural criteria.

Did you know ArtEZ offers a crash course in music theory? Click here to learn more.

The examination committee advises the Academy of Music’s Board of Examiners on the admission. The board checks whether the procedure has been followed properly and definitively decides whether you are admissible as a candidate. You will be informed in writing. 

An admission is only valid for the course you applied for. If you wish to be admitted to a course or specialisation at a different location, you must apply for this separately. The admission is only valid for the academic year immediately following the entrance examination. If you wish to start one year later, you can submit a written request to the Board of Examiners to prolong the validity of the results for a period of one year. 

If you do not agree with the negative result because of the procedure followed, you can lodge a complaint as a candidate with the Board of Examiners.

Band accompaniment preferable, but not required for the pre-selection videos, except for vocalists (see also the additional pre-selection info).

Yes, if you live farther than 500km away from Arnhem you can do your entrance exam online. You can request this in your application via Studielink or via e-mail if you have already applied. Click here for technical requirements for online entrance exams.

It is not possible to rehearse with the Jazz & Pop students prior to your audition, but you will be able to have short a warm up with them for 15 minutes before your audition starts.

You do not have to play all the prepared pieces in a band setting. You are allowed to play some pieces in smaller ensembles or solo, but note that the majority of the songs have to be played together with a band.

Yes, all ArtEZ Jazz & Pop students need to have access to a personal laptop (Mac or Windows). They are personally responsible for both hardware and DAW software (Logic, Cubase, or freeware such as Studio One).

The Student Affairs department can help you with all the above. You can reach them via studentaffairs@artez.nl.

Don’t hesitate to send us an e-mail via conservatorium.arnhem@artez.nl.