Jazz

  • Bachelor
  • Full-time

Jazz

Level
bachelor
Form
full-time
Duration
4 years
Language
Dutch, English
Locations
Groningen
Degree
Bachelor of Music
Credits
240 ECTS
Startmonths
Start: September

When you choose the Jazz study programme, you choose a life with your instrument or your voice. A passion that you have been working on for years. You are driven, you want to reach the highest level musically and make music your profession. Then studying jazz at the Prince Claus Conservatoire is an excellent choice.

Overview

As a jazz student in our unique 'New York comes to Groningen' programme, you will receive lessons from the best Dutch musicians and from the American jazz scene every week.

The stage experience our teachers have, as professional jazz musicians, directly influences their teaching style. It is more practical than people in the Netherlands are used to. From your first day in the programme, you will perform in front of an audience. You'll get a lot of theory of course, but the focus lies on how to use that knowledge on stage. Your main subject is central, but you also participate in ensembles. There are a number of set ones, such as the big band, the vocal ensemble, various small bands and a large soul band. In addition, you will play in bands composed by yourself. This is possible on our own concert stages, or during jam sessions and concerts in the many clubs and cafés of Groningen.

For inspiration, you can visit De Oosterpoort and the club circuit where internationally renowned jazz musicians regularly play. In the third year, you can go to conservatories in Europe and America as an exchange student. And to really experience the New York jazz scene, we organise an annual study trip to New York.

Jazzclub-piano-gitaar.jpg
Students jamming in the Jazz Club

Why choose this programme?

Since you are trained to be a professional musician, you are equipped to start a career performing in various ensembles and in all styles of jazz. You know how to promote yourself and your group. You can compose and arrange music for all kinds of ensembles and orchestras. You can also start teaching others at a music school or privately. Most graduates are self-employed, pursuing ‘portfolio careers’ that combine performance with teaching.

About this programme

Propaedeutic year

You start performing publicly from day one. The emphasis is on theory, although this relates to how you can apply this during performances. You will also learn to play the piano in order to understand the theory. You participate in studio projects and you will follow courses in jazz arranging techniques and composition. Your main instrument and the New York faculty classes are the focus throughout your entire study programme.

Main phase

In addition to your private lessons, you play in ensembles (Jazz, Fusion, Latin, Big Band and Soul Band). We organise a trip to New York each year. Didactical subjects and musical entrepreneurship are offered in the second and third year, during which work placements play a major role. At the end of the fourth year you will complete your studies with a final concert, displaying the musical vision that you have developed.

Additional requirements per instrument

All instruments are admissible; there are additional requirements for the following instruments: 
Piano, saxophone, trombone and vocals. 

  • Piano

    The candidate has to prepare two entirely notated pieces, grade IV/V of Kloppenburg (similar to grade IV/V of the Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music), one of the pieces has to be a two voice Invention of J.S. Bach. The second piece can be chosen from the jazz piano repertoire or from the classic piano repertoire. Some examples:

    • A piece from “Lee Evans arranges”
    • A piece from “Jazzparnasz” (no. 20 t/m 30) by Manfred Schmitz
    • A piece from “Microstyles 4” by Christopher Norton
    • An etude by Stephen Heller, op. 47
    • A piece from “Lyrische Stücke” from Edvard Grieg, op. 12
  • Saxophone

    Candidates are expected to demonstrate instrumental proficiency by playing studies from e.g. Lennie Niehaus, (vol. 1a onwards) and the Charly Parker Omnibook.

  • Trombone

    A classical study chosen from:

    • Robert Muller, “Technical Studies vol. 3”
    • J. Rochut/Bordogni, “Melodic Studies vol. 1” or others
  • Vocals

    Three songs have to be performed in various times and styles. One of below mentioned songs is obligatory:

    • “My Favorite Things” (Rodgers & Hart)
    • “Body & Soul” (Heyman/Sour/Eyton/Green)
    • “I'm Beginning To See The Light” (Ellington) It is possible that you will be asked to improvise on a blues pattern. At least one of the selections should be sung without microphone.

Admission process

 To audition at the Prince Claus Conservatoire, the following steps are required:

  1. Apply via Studielink
    Apply to do audition for Jazz before the 1st of March. You can do this through www.studielink.nl. Jazz is listed under B Music. You will receive an e-mail from Hanze Apply/Osiris with login info. In this module you can specify your instrument.
     
  2. Motivation letter
    We ask you to write a motivation letter and upload it in Hanze Apply/Osiris. Please explain what motivates and moves you and why you want to study Jazz at the Prince Claus Conservatoire.
     
  3. Pre-selection all instruments
    We need you to upload 3 YouTube videos of you playing different pieces in different styles. These may be the same pieces you want to play at the online audition. Next to these videos of you playing, you need to upload a video of you introducing yourself (max. 2 minutes) and your motivation. Note that all videos have to be of good quality and need to be recent, and you have to be recognisable. Two weeks prior to the date of your audition you will receive an e-mail informing you whether you have passed the pre-selection and will be invited for your audition or not.
     
  4. Online audition (only in exceptional cases)
    In general, all our auditions are live in Groningen. However, if it’s impossible for you to travel to Groningen you may do your audition online. Please mark this in your application Hanze Apply/Osiris. We need you to upload 3 YouTube videos of you playing different pieces in different styles. These may be the same pieces you want to play at the online audition. Next to these videos of you playing, you need to upload a video of you introducing yourself (max. two minutes). Note that all videos have to be recorded recently and we need you to be recognizable.
     
  5. English requirements
    As part of your enrolment, you have to upload an English certificate with a minimum IELTS score of 6.0 with no subscores below 5.5 (or an equivalent at comparable language tests like TOEFL, Cambridge ESOL etc). Check the general Hanze UAS application and entry requirements through the info block below.

Everything you need to know about the auditions

Questions?

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