The research in this category addresses the knowledge and routines, the conventions of notation and performance, the material and technical condictions, as well as the theoretical and aesthetical principles that are fundamental to the performance of specific repertoires. Furthermore, it asks how a practice that calls itself 'historically informed' is also a practice of today.

Advisors
Rob van Baveljazz department, piano
Ben van Gelder jazz department, saxofoon
Peter Van Heyghen early music department: historical teratises, early music in the 20th/21st century, rhetorics
Goska Isphordingclassical department: contemporary harpsichord
Michel Khalifaclassical department, music history, music aesthetics
Johannes Leertouwer classical department: violin
Martijn Sohierjazz department, trombone

The research projects result in arrangements, transcriptions and editions. The terms 'transcribing' and 'arranging' are somewhat overlapping. We use 'transcribing' to designate either the notation of music as performed or recorded, or the adaptation of notated music to other instruments. The latter is also denoted 'arranging', but unlike 'transcribing' this term allows for a freer treatment, or even a recomposition, of the original music.

'Editing' refers to the preparation of a reliable score of a musical work, or a collection of works, taking into account the available scources – i.e. sketches, manuscripts, and earlier editions of the same work(s).
All these activies have a practical goal: they supply us with notated music to be studied and/or performed. Along the way, however, choices have been made, problems have been identified, and solutions have been implemented. The actual research must give access to the knowledge and reflections underpinning the activities mentioned.

Advisors
Andrea Friggiearly music department, basso continuo, music editing
Amit Gur classical department: Musical Texture
Michael Langemann classsical department: 'writing cadenzas'
Patrick Schenkius jazz department: music theory, arranging
Walther Stuhlmacher jazz department: music theory, arranging
Gustavo Trujilloclassical department: music theory, arranging
Maya Verlaak classical department: composition

A musical instrument is not only a tool but also a discipline: with a number of roles and possibilities, a repertoire, and a pedagogical discourse. The notion of a ‘discipline’ implies some rigidity. Yet musical instruments have constantly been changing – in respect of their construction and operation, in respect of the context in which they are applied, or in both. And instruments come and go. The research in this category may focus on the design of a new instrument or on the adaptation or new application of an existing instrument. It can also result in a new teaching method for that instrument. Each project shows the interaction of technology, motor skills and artistic imagination.

Advisors
Jorge Isaacclassical department, recorder, music theatre and stage presence
Haye Jellema jazz department: drums
Marc Pauwelsclassical department, piano
Jorrit Tammingaclassical department, composition, electronic music
Etay Waisman jazz department, saxophone, EWI
Rachel Zhang classical department, percussion
Jos Zwaanenburgclassical and jazz departments, live electronics, Karnatic rhythm

Projects in this category can either be exploratory or reflective. Exploratory projects contribute to the development of new education – for example, with a view to teach essential but often ignored skills, or to apply new insights in complex learning processes. Reflective projects address the knowledge that is contained in the practice of teaching music, and its possible relevance for other areas of professional life. Among these projects we also find research into the history of current music education – research that questions what we have learned to take for granted.

Advisors
Lieve Geuensjazz department, music management and entrepreneurship, music psychology
Durk Hijma jazz department, guitar, technique and methodology, music management and entrepreneurship
Jaap Kooiclassical department, educational subjects
Marja Moskclassical department, music and health
Beorn Nijenhuis classical department, postgraduate course in music education 
Marieke Oremusclassical department,music and health, educational subjects
Maaike Vertregt classical department, educational subjects, music psychology

The conservatory is a meeting place for musicians from all continents. These musicians participate in a transboundary culture of music; but, at the same time, many identify with the culture in which they were bred, with its musical practices and repertoires. The research projects of this category look at cultural interactions in the field of music, or give a musical shape to such interactions.

Advisors
Niti Ranjan Biswas jazz department, tabla
Marijn Korff de Gidts classical department: African percussion & methodology
Debby Korfmacher music in education: mbira
David de Marez Oyensjazz department, bass guitar, Karnatic rhythm
Harm Langenkamp classical department, music history of the 20th and 21st centuries, music aesthetics
Adri Schreuder classical and music in education department, world music 
Joris Roelofsjazz department: clarinet
Saskia Törnqvist classical department, music history