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Preparatory Courses Academy of Music Zwolle
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ArtEZ Connected

ArtEZ Connected

Are you still in school and love music? With ArtEZ Connected, you will have the unique opportunity to discover if a bachelor’s course in music is right for you. Over three years, or perhaps less, you will take lessons both at your own school and at ArtEZ.

Apply now

A preparatory course at your own school

ArtEZ Connected is a collaborative agreement between ArtEZ Academy of Music Arnhem and several schools, including some music schools. After this preparatory phase, you will know if a course in music is right for you and will be well-prepared for the bachelor’s entrance exam. You can choose between the Jazz & Pop, Classical Music and Music Teacher tracks.

For ArtEZ Connected, you do not need to be perfect at making music. What you really need is talent, passion for music and an open mind. Through participating in ArtEZ Connected, you will discover if studying at one of the ArtEZ conservatories in Arnhem, Enschede or Zwolle is right for you and increase your likelihood of admission.

 The programme involves:

  • Weekly music theory lessons given by a conservatory music teacher. These lessons will prepare you for the admission level required for the ArtEZ Academy of Music.
  • 3 main subject lessons at the ArtEZ Academy of Music (after regular lessons taken through your own music school or private teacher)
  • 2 days of workshops and rehearsals at ArtEZ (“Working Days”)
  • Recital evening(s) at the conservatory
  • Parent interviews (for secondary school students)
  • Transition audition (to change from preparatory level to bachelor’s level) at ArtEZ

 

The programme may differ slightly between schools.

 

 

Photo: Yuri Keukens
 

Final music theory exam

At the end of your preparatory course, you will take a final exam in music theory at the ArtEZ Academy of Music. Following a satisfactory result, you will receive a certificate signifying your admission to the ArtEZ Academy of Music for the theory portion of the entrance exam. The certificate is valid for one year.

 

Transition auditions: Every year you will play for a committee that will monitor your progress. Your theory teacher and music school or private teacher are also involved in your progress assessment.

Admission

Admission is possible from your second year of HAVO/VWO or VMBO-T. The entrance exams occur in May and June. For the entrance exam, you will play a prepared programme of repertoire as well as take a music theory exam.

Fee
The costs for ArtEZ Connected are €350 per year, per student (in addition to the costs for your own music teacher):

1. Admission requirements Music Theory:

  • The admissions exam for theory exists to establish if your aural listening skills are sufficient to be able to start the preparatory course. To determine this, you will be tested on the following simple exercises:

    • Sing a pitch
    • Sing a melody
    • Clap a rhythm
    • Analyse how many pitches are sounding at once
    • You will also be tested on notation. For example, you may be shown a melody and then hear a slightly different melody, after which you will be tested on where the discrepancy is.
    • You may also be asked to perform a simple rhythmic pattern from a piece of sheet music.

     

    In principle, you do not have to prepare anything for this test.

     

    Please note: you must be able to read a bit of music. If you can’t do that yet, you must learn how to do so yourself before the test, possibly with help from your teacher.

2. Admission requirements Audition:

  • You will perform three pieces, all differing in tempo and mood, including at least 1 etude and 2 concert pieces.

     

    Specific admission requirements for Classical Music Voice:

    • You should have a good, pure voice that is clearly young and growing, just as you are!
    • It is preferable if you can already read notes decently and play an instrument
    • You should communicate well and tell your own story with the music
    • You should sing repertoire appropriate for your level, life experience and age
    • You should sing in 3 different languages
  • For the solo audition, you should prepare 3 works of your choice, each differing in mood and tempo. The committee may only ask you to play one of the pieces. You are allowed to bring an accompanist. Conservatory teachers (the audition committee) and the other audition candidates will both be present at the solo audition.

  • The entrance exam for ArtEZ Connected in Zwolle involves a practical audition and a music theory exam. These will both take place at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle. The practical audition consists of the following parts:

     

    1. You should prepare 2 works, differing in mood and tempo, including at least 1 lied/song with accompaniment. You may have either piano or guitar accompaniment.
    2. Audition candidates will also be divided into groups. For this component, you will be working with a pre-determined piece, which you will receive a minimum of 3 weeks before the entrance exam. Here, the focus is mostly on collaboration, creativity and musicality.
    3. Finally, you will teach either the committee or the other audition candidates an a cappella piece of your choice.

     

Participating schools

Zwolle:

 

Almelo:

  • CSG Het Noordik – info@noordik.nl

 

Meppel:

 

Drachten:

  • Friese Poort (MBO) Drachten – Jan Bartlema – jbartlema@rocfriesepoort.nl

 

More information

If you would like to know more about the lesson schedule, pricing or a specific programme, please get in contact with cons.zwolle@artez.nl

 

You can also participate in ArtEZ Connected in Arnhem and Enschede. The ArtEZ programme terms and conditions also apply to preparatory courses and other classes.

Apply now for ArtEZ Connected