The entrance examination is in two parts, which are conducted separately. You will take an entrance exam on your main instrument and participate in an admission day.
This exam is to assess your proficiency on your main instrument, which could also be voice. The exam takes the form of a trial lesson and is held before the admissions day. The lecturer will make an individual appointment with you for a lesson.
During the exam, you will play your prepared pieces and receive instruction from the lecturer. Below is a list of what you need to prepare. The entire exam takes approximately 45 minutes.
Preparing for the main instrument entrance exam
- Prepare four instrumental pieces. The pieces must differ in style, character and expression. Make a video of two of the pieces and post it on YouTube. Upload the link to the ArtEZ application page on Studielink. You will have received a link to that page in the email from Student Affairs.
- If your main instrument is voice, prepare four pieces that showcase your voice. For example, you could choose a pop song, a musical song, a classical song, a children’s song and/or a jazz standard. The four pieces must differ in style, character and expression. You should accompany yourself on a chord instrument. Make a video of two of the pieces and post it on YouTube. Upload the link to the ArtEZ application page. You will have received a link to that page in the email from Student Affairs.
- If you play another instrument besides the one you are auditioning on, you may include it in your programme.
- If you have written your own piece of music, we would love to hear it!
You will receive an invitation for the admission day by email. The admission day will be held in a classroom at the academy, where you will carry out a musical group assignment and showcase your musical voice. We will also test your knowledge of music theory. A projector, a variety of instruments, music stands, a backline and a grand piano will be available at your disposal for this assignment.
You will need to make the following preparations:
Musical group assignment
Prepare an assignment that you can perform in 10-15 minutes with a group of five to eight people. For example, you could prepare a song, a short choral piece, an instrumental or rhythm piece, a sound game, or a musical movement activity. Describe your group assignment on an A4 sheet of paper, state what you plan to do and bring this outline with you to the entrance exam. Please do not forget to bring any additional materials you might need as well, such as sheet music or lyrics with chord notation.
Voice audition for the secondary subject in voice
Select two pieces that showcase your voice, such as a pop song, a musical theatre song, a classical Lied, a children’s song and/or a jazz standard. The four pieces must differ in style, character and expression. You should accompany yourself on a chord instrument.
Music theory test
The music theory test consists of an individual oral test plus a written test. Both are conducted by a music theory teacher. You do not need to have mastered everything perfectly yet. The teacher will assess whether you will be able to further develop your basic knowledge and music theory skills. During the individual oral test, you will be asked to:
You will have two opportunities to take the entrance examination.
Good preparation increases your chances of being admitted to the ArtEZ Academy of Music. There are several options available for you.
This course is designed specifically to help you prepare for the music theory component of the entrance examination.
To be fully prepared for the Bachelor of Music in Education, we highly recommend our Music Preparatory Programme. You can take this at the ArtEZ Academy of Music in Zwolle, Arnhem or Enschede.
If you are a school student with musical talent, various schools offer a three-year preparatory programme for music degrees to help you discover whether studying music is right for you. Doing so will also ensure that you are well prepared for our entrance examination. For exceptionally talented students, we offer our Young Talent Class (Jong Talentklas)
Upon completion of the entrance examination, the admissions committee will submit a recommendation to the ArtEZ Academy of Music Exam Committee. This Committee checks that the admissions process has been carried out correctly and decides whether you will be offered admission to the programme. You will be notified of the results in writing.
An offer of admission is only valid for the programme you have applied for as well as only valid for admission in the academic year immediately following the entrance examination. An offer or a rejection for the Bachelor of Music in Education programme is binding for ArtEZ in both Enschede and Zwolle. If you would like to being the programme a year later, please submit a written request to the Exam Committee to defer your admission for a year.
If you disagree with the admissions outcome or believe that incorrect procedures were followed during the admissions process, you may lodge an appeal with the Exam Committee.