Jazz Entrance Exam
This applies to all principal subjects:
Candidates from non-EU countries
- preselection by means of (a link to) a recording to be uploaded in the application form
- the entrance exam will be held online. Below you will find more information on the exam format.
Candidates from the Netherlands and EU countries
- preselection by means of (a link to) a recording to be uploaded in the application form
- the entrance exam will be held at the CvA
Entrance Exam
The exam consist of two parts on two consecutive days.
1. A practical part for all candidates
Aptitude and suitability are tested with reference to the principal study. For full details of the entrance requirements for each principal study, please see the principal subject of your choice below.
- bass guitar
- clarinet / bass clarinet
- composition/arranging
- double bass
- drums
- guitar
- percussion
- piano
- saxophone
- theory of music
- trombone
- trumpet
- violin
- voice
2. A theoretical part for candidates for the preparatory course and all bachelor candidates
The theoretical examination will be held online and consists of two parts:
- In part 1 your musical ear will be tested. You must identify by ear short rhythmic, melodic and harmonic fragments.
- Part 2 is General Music Theory. Your knowledge of the musical building blocks will be tested: scales, intervals, triads, chords, keys, etc.
Click here to find exercises for the test.
On CvA Online you can purchase preparatory courses for the theoretical entrance exam.
The master entrance exam consists of two parts
- a practical part
- an interview
In the interview, the following topics are discussed:
- motivation to do a master study
- specific plans for the study (based on the written motivation in the application form)
- plans for the curriculum and a research proposal
The admission requirements for the practical part 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.