Preparatory Music Course

Are you finished or almost finished with your HAVO, VWO or MBO education and want to study at a conservatory afterwards? With the Preparatory Music Course, you will be fully prepared for admission to a bachelor’s course in music.

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What you will learn during the Preparatory Music Course

Playing at a high level and everything you need to prepare yourself for an entrance exam for a bachelor’s course in music: you will learn all of this during the Preparatory Music Course.

You will train your musical skills and receive coaching and information to further help you progress musically. This includes main subject courses for your instrument or voice, participating in recital evenings and taking part in the collaborative Working Days (read more below). You will also receive music theory lessons. All of the above-mentioned lessons are taught by conservatory teachers.

In one year, you will learn how the ArtEZ Academy of Music functions and whether or not a programme at the conservatory is right for you. Taking the Preparatory Music Course is not a guarantee of admission to a bachelor’s course, but lessons from conservatory teachers can definitely increase your chances. In any case, they will offer you a thorough preparation for an admissions exam.

Choose from the following Preparatory Courses:

- 30 individual main subject lessons given by a conservatory teacher
- 20 theory lessons (75 minutes) in ear training and general music theory[SK1]
- 2 days of workshops rehearsals at the conservatory (“Working Days”)
- 2 performance opportunities at a beautiful venue
- 2 recital evenings at the conservatory
- Band coaching
Fees:
- 30 main subject lessons (45 minutes) and 20 theory lessons (75 minutes) + band coaching: € 1.475
- 30 main subject lessons (60 minutes) and 20 theory lessons (75 minutes) + band coaching: € 1.590
- 30 individual main subject lessons given by a conservatory teacher
- 20 theory lessons (75 minutes) in ear training and general music theory
- 2 days of workshops and rehearsals at the conservatory (“Working Days”)
- 2 performance opportunities at a beautiful venue
- 2 recital evenings at the conservatory
- Correpetition for wind, brass, and string players
Fees:
- 30 main subject lessons (45 minutes) and 20 theory lessons (75 minutes): € 1.475
- 30 main subject lessons (60 minutes) and 20 theory lessons (75 minutes): € 1.590
HaFaBra (an acronym for Harmony wind & brass band, Fanfare orchestra and Brass band) is also available as a specialisation. In this specialisation, you will receive 12 90-minute lessons weekly in HaFaBra Conducting, given by main subject teacher Alex Schillings.

In these lessons, you will learn:
- Percussion technique/motor skills, learning to express things with your hands, arms and face
- Stylistic expertise
- Ensemble, orchestral and choral conducting
- Conducting theory
- Active listening in music
This preparatory course involves 30 weekly general theory lessons (50 minutes) in ear training and general music theory as well as 2 days of workshops (“Working Days”) at ArtEZ.

Fee:
- 12 main subject lessons (90 minutes) with Alex Schillings + 20 theory lessons (75-minutes) per year: € 1.475
The one-year Music Teacher preparatory course is only for students in 5 HAVO, 6 VWO or years 3 or 4 of MBO.
- 20 music lessons focusing on your instrument, or singing, by a Academy of Music teacher (individual lesson of 30 minutes)
- 20 lessons in education (in groups) by main subject study teachers of Music in Education and guest teachers (weekly 60 minutes)
- 20 lessons of general theory subjects ear training and general music theory (weekly 50 minutes)
- 2 separate working days with workshops and rehearsals at the Academy of Music together with Jazz & Pop and Classical Music
Fee:
- 20 music subject lessons + 20 education lessons + theory and working days
  € 1.475

Admission

The admissions exam for the Preparatory Music Course in Zwolle (for all specialisations) consists of a practical audition and a music theory exam. They will both take place at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle. For your practical audition, you should prepare three different works of your choice, differing in mood, style, time period and tempo.

Please note: A preparatory course prepares you for admission to a bachelor's course at the ArtEZ Academy of Music. However, passing all tests within the preparatory course does not mean automatic admission to the bachelor's course. Your eligibility for admission will be decided at the entrance exam for the bachelor’s course.

More information

Want to know more about the admissions process or the expected level for your prepared works? Or would you perhaps like to take a trial lesson? Questions? Contact cons.zwolle@artez.nl
*Unfortunately, trial lessons are not possible for Voice in the Jazz & Pop course

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

Apply now for this preparatory course