Choral Conducting
At the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, you'll learn everything you need to become a versatile choir conductor. You'll develop strong rehearsal techniques, efficient gestures, and gain in-depth knowledge of choral literature.
Practical experience is central to the programme. Most lessons are group lessons. In these sessions, students alternate between acting as a conductor and being part of each other's choir or ensemble. Every week, there's an opportunity to sing and conduct with the Sweelinck Kamerkoor (Sweelinck Chamber Choir) and the Eerstejaars Koor (First-Year Choir). These activities are part of the core curriculum, where the vocal teacher is closely involved and regularly present.
The programme is characterised by a positive atmosphere where openness and experimentation are key. Students have the opportunity to participate in various exciting projects and interdisciplinary collaborations, including with the Early Music, Classical Voice, and Music Teacher departments. The programme also offers valuable additional subjects such as literature study, baton technique, individual singing, and piano lessons. All the principal subject choir conducting teachers are active in the field, serving as conductors for both professional and amateur choirs.
Teachers
Maria van Nieukerken section representative & principal subject
Daniel Reuss principal subject
Benjamin Goodson regular guest teacher
Admission requirements
Audition candidates will be selected on the basis of a video recording to be submitted digitally via the application form. The repertoire for the recording is free of choice. Recordings must be received by February 1st at the latest.
The entrance examination consists of:
Theoretical part (25 minutes):
- ear tests
- level of instrumental or vocal skills
- piano skills: ability to play at least a Bach chorale
- insight into music literature, affinity with French, German, English
Practical part (25 minutes):
To rehearse a piece with a vocal group, for four voices at least, to be chosen from three given scores. Candidates will be tested for a.o. rehearsal technique, baton technique, vocality and personality.
Conducting students enrolled in this master's degree programme, which focuses particularly on the professional music environment, are prepared for the stringent requirements demanded by the current, multifaceted world of professional music.
Principal Study
In addition to the specific attention paid to matters relating directly to the principal subject - conducting technique, knowledge of scores and repertoire, rehearsal techniques -, research plays an obvious role here. To convey a score in a convincing manner to a choir, ensemble or orchestra, a thorough knowledge of the work - and therefore in-depth research - are essential. Within the framework of the master level subjects, the student can focus on a certain composition or composer, but also on historical performance, tuning or certain instrumental techniques.
During this two-year course, conducting students are given the opportunity of working with the CvA choirs, ensembles and orchestras, with which they will also work during the final project. The CvA will do its best to secure internships for the candidates during the course - e.g. in the form of an assistantship - with professional ensembles, choirs, orchestras and opera companies.
Other Subjects
Students may choose from a number of master level subjects and additional 'free space' electives. Information on research is provided separately.
Evaluation
To be determined at a later date.
Admission requirements
Audition candidates will be selected on the basis of a video recording to be submitted digitally via the application form. The repertoire for the recording is free of choice. Recordings must be received by February 1st at the latest.
- The candidate will perform a programme which may not exceed 60 minutes.
- The candidate must submit a proposed programme for the entrance examination to the CvA study secretariat before February 1st. The admissions committee will evaluate the proposed programme and make any necessary changes. Programme guidelines and requirements may be obtained from the representative of the section.