ArtEZ Connected Arnhem
Are you still in school and do you enjoy making music? During ArtEZ Connected, you get a unique opportunity to discover whether a music programme might be right for you. Over three years – or shorter if you prefer – you take lessons at your own school and at ArtEZ.
The preparatory programme at your own school
ArtEZ Connected is a collaboration between the ArtEZ Academy of Music Arnhem and various (music) schools. The preparatory programme offers you a first glimpse of life at the conservatory, with the joy of music-making at its core. You can choose from the Jazz & Pop, Classical Music and Music in Education pathways.
You do not need to be a perfect musician yet. What you do need is talent, a passion for music and an open mind. By taking part in ArtEZ Connected, you can explore whether studying at a conservatory in Arnhem, Enschede or Zwolle suits you, while increasing your chances of being admitted.
The programme consists of:
- Three main subject lessons at the ArtEZ Academy of Music (in addition to the regular lessons from your own music school or private teacher);
- Weekly music theory lessons at school, taught by a music teacher. These lessons prepare you for the admission level of the ArtEZ Academy of Music;
- Three workshop days with (interdisciplinary) workshops, rehearsals and concerts at ArtEZ;
- Student performance evening(s) at school;
- Parent meetings (for secondary-school pupils);
- Transition auditions at ArtEZ.
- The programme may vary slightly per school.
Want to make even more music? Choose a DAMU school!
If you want to make music intensively throughout your entire secondary-school period, a DAMU school might be a good match. DAMU stands for Dance and Music. At a DAMU school, part of the curriculum is dedicated to working on your music (or dance). This means you do not make music next to school, but during school hours. You also receive 30 main subject lessons on your instrument. In the Arnhem region, ArtEZ collaborates with Beekdal Lyceum for this programme.
Admission and application
You can apply from the second year of havo, vwo or vmbo-t. Admission exams take place in May and June. During the exam, you perform repertoire you have prepared in advance.
1. Admission requirements – Music Theory
The theory admission test assesses whether your musical ear is sufficiently developed to begin the preparatory programme. You complete a series of simple exercises:
- Singing back a given pitch;
- Singing back a melody;
- Clapping back a rhythm;
- Identifying how many notes sound simultaneously;
- Working with notation. For example: you see a short melody and then hear a slightly altered version. You are asked to identify where the change occurs;
- You may also be asked to perform simple rhythmic patterns at sight.
You do not need to prepare anything for this test.
One important point: you should be able to read music to some extent. If you cannot yet read music, you must teach yourself before the test, possibly with help from your teacher.
2. Admission requirements – Audition
The audition lasts a maximum of 30 minutes and is assessed by a committee of at least three lecturers.
You prepare three works from different stylistic periods, including at least one étude.
The audition lasts half a day and consists of a group audition and a solo audition.
The group audition
Candidates are divided into groups. During this part, you work on a pre-assigned piece. You will receive this at least three weeks before the admission exam. This audition focuses on collaboration, creativity and musicality.
What is expected of you:
- You know the piece very well (by heart);
- You know the structure of the piece;
- You have created a chord chart for the piece. This may be made with help from a teacher or based on a chart found online, as long as it has been checked thoroughly. Singers: prepare a chord chart in a key suitable for your voice;
- You can count off the piece;
- You have thought about an intro and an outro;
You can perform the original version, but also consider: What would you like to do with the piece? (a different groove, metre, improvisation, atmosphere, tempo, etc.). A coach is present to guide the group’s working process. Each group performs the piece for all participants of the admission audition.
The solo audition
For the solo audition, you prepare two pieces of your choice, differing in character and tempo. The committee may choose to hear only one. You may bring an accompanist. The solo audition is open to the committee and all participants.
The audition consists of two phases:
Phase 1
You submit two productions at least three weeks before the practical admission. Include an explanation covering:
- Which software and hardware (microphones, mixing desk, etc.) you used;
- Which parts you played or sang yourself;
- Which parts were created in other ways (sample loops, MIDI input, etc.);
- Whether you used notation (for example chord charts);
- How you handled mixing/mastering.
If the committee assesses these productions as sufficient, you proceed to the next phase.
Phase 2
You prepare two pieces, differing in character and tempo, on your main instrument. During the audition, your keyboard skills will also be assessed. Basic keyboard skills are considered a plus, but you are not assessed on them.
Participating schools
Arnhem:
- Quadraam Scholen
- ArenDorenweerd Collegetheem College - Thomas a Kempis
- Dorenweerd College, in collaboration with Kunstbedrijf Arnhem
Apeldoorn:
Doetinchem:
- VO Doetinchem, in collaboration with Amphion Muziekschool
Ede:
Nijmegen:
- Nijmeegse Scholengemeenschap Groenewoud, in collaboration with Lindenberg, Huis voor de kunsten
Zutphen:
Study costs
In addition to the costs for your own music teachers, the costs per location are:
- Arnhem: €415,- per year
- Doetinchem: €400,- per year
- Ede: €300,- per year
- Nijmegen: €400,- per year
- Zutphen: €325,- per year
For singer-songwriters at all locations: €150,- extra per year
For Classical Music accompaniment: €50,- extra per year
Application
You can also follow ArtEZ Connected in Enschede and Zwolle.
Apply before 1 May.
Applications received after 1 May will only be considered if sufficient study places are still available.
