CFT and astronomy: Léonie composes for planets
Léonie Bertram started Composition for Film and Theatre (CFT) at ArtEZ Academy of Music in Arnhem with one clear goal: to become a film composer. During her studies, she discovered what else was possible and became interested in composing for games, songwriting and choral music. She also used this freedom to explore different directions for her graduation performance, bringing together music and her long-standing love of astronomy. She received a - very rare - 10 for her final.
Composition for Film and Theatre helps you find your direction
What makes Composition for Film and Theatre special, according to Léonie, is the freedom to discover what kind of composer you want to be.
‘In the first year at CFT, you hear a lot of students say: “I want to be a film composer and nothing else.” But that changes during the programme.’
That was true for Léonie too. She started the programme ‘100 per cent convinced’ that she wanted to compose for film. Still, she remained open to new directions. During the programme, for example, she was introduced to composing for games – a very different process from what she was used to.
‘In games, there’s no fixed scene: the player moves freely through the game. So you have to create music that fits the environment and what’s happening at that moment, without it becoming boring if you listen to it for several minutes straight. There’s no clear beginning or end; it works more like a loop. It makes you think about music in a completely different way.’
‘In the first year at CFT, you hear a lot of students say: “I want to be a film composer and nothing else.” But that changes during the programme.’
Compositions for planets
For her graduation performance, Léonie brought together two of her interests: music and astronomy. She also collaborated with people from other disciplines.
‘After high school, I considered studying astronomy. I was really interested in science and had to make a choice: do I pursue something artistic or choose science? There’s also something quite poetic about being able to bring those two worlds together in my graduation work.’
For her final, Léonie wrote compositions for all the planets, including Pluto. ‘Technically not a planet,’ she adds. One of her sources of inspiration was The Planets by composer Gustav Holst.
‘For the concept, I drew on astronomical facts and theories. Things like what planets are made of, how they rotate or how big they are. But I also looked at mythology, including stories about Neptune and Venus.’
The graduation performance became an interdisciplinary project bringing together composition, choral singing, movement and painting. Working across disciplines was nothing new for Léonie: she had already gained experience doing so in various projects during CFT.
The grade Léonie received for her final was exceptionally rare: a perfect ten. According to Vanessa Lann, head of CFT, a grade like that only comes along about once every ten years.
‘I’m really going to miss the programme. All the classes, the teachers and the connection you build with them. ArtEZ feels a bit like family.’
Step outside your own composing bubble
Léonie’s advice to prospective and new students reflects what she did during the programme herself: experiment and collaborate.
‘When you study CFT, locking yourself away in your basement and writing music behind your computer might seem like a great idea. But it’s incredibly inspiring to connect and collaborate with people from other programmes. Step outside your comfort zone. Try working in a way that’s new to you, and do it together with others.’
Collaborating with people from other disciplines can also change the way you think about your own future. During her studies, Léonie saw several students change their minds. They no longer wanted to focus solely on becoming film composers, as the programme had given them a broader perspective on the profession.
Now that she has finished her studies, Léonie doesn’t yet know exactly which direction she’ll take. She does know that she wants to develop her final further and perform it again. She also wants to continue songwriting, composing for games and writing choral music.
