Early Music Entrance Exam

Entrance Exam

The Early Music bachelor entrance exam consists of three rounds:

1. Video recording
Candidates are asked to submit weblinks to their video recordings, uploaded on YouTube or Vimeo. For full details of the entrance requirements for each principal study, please see the principal subject of your choice below.
Please make sure that the videos are recorded from a static perspective, showing hands and face, and that each work or opus is recorded in a separate video. Please be aware that only unedited videos are allowed to be submitted. You can put the weblinks to your video recordings in the application form. Candidates whose level in the first round meets the entry requirements will proceed to the second round (live audition).

2. Live audition
Aptitude and suitability are tested with reference to the principal study. Candidates perform a programme which is to be submitted beforehand of approximately 20-30 minutes duration. Programme details are to be submitted beforehand. For full details of the entrance requirements for each principal study, please see the principal subject of your choice below.

3. Theory exam for the preparatory course and all bachelor candidates
Only admissible candidates from the second round will need to do a theory entrance exam. The theory exam will also be held live. For almost all candidates the theory test will take place the day after the live audition. That means a candidate has to be present in Amsterdam for at least two days. An exact day and time will be listed in the invitation letter.
The theory entrance exam tests the candidate's hearing, solfège skills and knowledge of music theory. The exam consists of the following components:

1. A written part, comprising:

an ear training test (example test, answers)
a general music theory test (example test)

2. An oral part (example test), comprising:

unaccompanied sight singing
performing a rhythm
singing a song with piano accompaniment

On CvA Online you can purchase preparatory courses for the theoretical entrance exam.

The Early Music master entrance exam consists of two rounds:

2. Live audition
The admission requirements can be found on the page of the principal subject of your choice, see below:

Assessment

During the entrance examination candidates will be tested for level of repertoire, technical skills, artistic abilities, development possibilities, ear tests and musical hearing. If one of these aspects is considered insufficient, the candidate will fail.

Result

The examination result of the practical part is communicated to the candidate directly after the practical part. The result can be 'admissible to the principal subject' or 'rejected from the principal subject'. The board of directors (not the exam committee), will make the final decisions regarding the admissions. In addition to the results of the practical and theoretical exams (and for foreign candidates their command of the English language), the number of student places available per section will be taken into account. As soon as possible after the entrance exams the candidates will be informed if they will be admitted or not. During the summer holidays all admitted candidates will receive information on the start of the study year, the introduction day and the payment of the tuition fee.