To be admitted to the Jazz & Pop programme, you must take an entrance examination. The entrance examinations for this programme are held in June.
The entrance examination consists of two parts. First, you will take a practical entrance audition. You will receive the results immediately after the audition. If you pass the audition, you will then take a theory test. You will also receive the results of this test immediately after completing it.
If you pass both parts, the Academy of Music's Exam Committee will assess whether you also meet the other admission requirements, such as the required prior education and any language tests. The Exam Committee will then decide whether you are eligible for admission to the programme for which you auditioned.
For the admission auditions for the main subject of Singing, a pre-selection will take place based on video recordings sent in by the candidates.
Furthermore, the Singing and Drums programmes have a numerus clausus. For more information, please contact the Academy of Music.
Part 1 | The practical portion – part one – is also known as the audition.
The audition focuses primarily on your mastery of your instrument or voice, your creativity and your musical skills and qualities in general. It is important to demonstrate your strengths, both technical and artistic. In addition, it is important that you demonstrate that you have a broad musical interest. For Voice, an (online) pre-selection may take place.
You are also expected to have some experience in one or more styles within jazz and/or pop music, preferably in a band.
Furthermore, your (verbal) motivation is an important part of your admission.
There are general admission requirements for the practical admission audition, which are described here. In addition, there are specific admission requirements for different majors.
Check the additional requirements for each major.
General admission requirements
For each major, you must prepare a programme of five pieces for the admission audition. These five pieces must differ in musical style, character and tempo. It is highly appreciated if the programme includes your own work. Your own work may consist of one or more of your own compositions, but also your own texts, études or exercises.
In addition, you must submit five copies of your programme and the motivation form. The programme must contain the following information:
During your audition, a panel of at least three and no more than five examiners will assess your aptitude and potential for development. This panel of examiners consists of lecturers from the ArtEZ Conservatoire with different specialisations and musical backgrounds.
You choose the first piece you will play from your list. The examiners then choose one or more additional pieces, either themselves or based on your verbal motivation. You will probably play a total of two or three of the five pieces you have prepared.
You will then be asked to demonstrate specific skills, such as playing/singing exercises like scales or rudiments, sight-reading/sight-singing a fragment, playing/singing a fragment by ear or improvising on a harmonic and/or rhythmic given.
Points of attention in the assessment of the practical admission audition include:
In order to get a good idea of who you are, what you can do and where your strengths lie, we ask you to come and play with your own band. After the practical portion of the entrance audition, the Exam Committee will consult and you will receive the results verbally immediately.
Part 2 | When you come for admission, we would also like to know your knowledge of theory and how good your hearing is, so that we can determine whether you would be eligible for the first year or the preparatory course in terms of theory. You will also take a theory test if you are only auditioning for the preparatory course. The theory test consists of a written and an oral part. We assess what you already know, what you can already hear, what you can already do and what you cannot yet do. If you do not (immediately) know, hear or can do something, we also look at how you deal with any instructions.
During the theory and hearing audition, we will assess:
A good basic knowledge of music theory
Knowledge and mastery of reading and writing keys and scales with accompanying accidentals, including the concept of parallel minor;
Knowledge of musical notation: keys, time signatures, accidentals and repeats.
Reading, performing and notating melodies after hearing them
The ability to read, perform and notate (in dictation form) melodies at the level of these example melodies.
Reading, performing and notating rhythms after hearing them
The ability to read, perform and notate (in dictation form) rhythms in 2/4, 3/4, 4/4 and 6/8 time signatures.
Naming intervals, triads and tetrads, both by reading and by ear
Naming intervals, triads and tetrads and certain inversions;
Being able to name the notes in a chord based on a chord symbol and being able to determine a chord symbol based on given notes. An explanation of this section can be found here.
As with the practical portion, the Exam Committee will meet immediately after the theory test and then give you your results. Depending on the results of the theory test, you will be placed in the preparatory course, in the first year of the programme, or denied admission.
At the end of the admission process, the board of examiners submits its recommendation to the Academy of Music's Exam Committee. This committee checks whether the procedure has been followed correctly and ultimately decides whether you are eligible for admission. You will be notified of their decision in writing.
A positive admission is only valid for the programme for which you have applied. If you wish to apply for admission to a programme or specialisation at a different location, you must register separately. Admission is only valid for the academic year immediately following the entrance examination. If you wish to start a year later, you can submit a written request to the Exam Committee to retain your results for a period of one year.
To best prepare yourself for the theory and ear training exam, you can choose to participate in the music theory crash course.
The Academy of Music offers courses and a preparatory programme that will prepare you well for the auditions if you would like to increase your chances.
If you are seriously considering applying for admission, you can take an introductory lesson. During this lesson, you will get to know the main subject teacher better and get an idea of your level and your possibilities. You can also discuss the programme components for a possible entrance examination with the teacher.