Conducting Concert and Brass Bands
This course focuses on conducting amateur wind orchestras. In addition to a wide range of theoretical subjects and score-reading, the principal study is made up of baton technique, orchestral training, study of instruments, repertoire study and instrumentation.
The faculty has established a unique cooperation with many orchestras, creating monthly practical sessions for our Bachelor and Master conducting students. These opportunities are essential for the students to gain the necessary experience and exposure to work with various professional and non-professional/amateur orchestras. Recently we have worked together with orchestras such as:
- Orkest Koninklijke Luchtmacht
- Orkest Koninklijke Marechaussee
- Koninklijke Militaire Kapel Johan Willem Friso
- Marinierskapel der Koninklijke Marine
- Regimentsfanfare Garde Grenadiers en Jagers
- Gelders Fanfare Orkest
- Symfonisch Blaasorkest Amsterdam
- Harmonieorkest De Spaarnebazuin - Haarlem
- Harmonieorkest Erica - Mook
- Fanfareorkest Sursum Corda - Andijk
- Fanfare Beatrix - Doezum
Additionally, students are involved in the CvA-Concert Band and CvA-Brass projects, for instance at the Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Muziekgebouw aan het IJ.
Teachers
Arjan Tien section representative & principal subject
Erik van de Kolk principal subject
Admission
Please submit with the application form:
• a letter of motivation stating why you would like to study Concert Band Conducting at the CvA
• a recent video of you conducting an ensemble or orchestra
• a recent video of you playing your main instrument and piano (if the latter is not your main instrument)
Entrance Exam
the practical exam consists of the following components:
• testing knowledge of and insight in scores and styles using a selection of scores of major works for symphonic wind band
• conducting of the following works (two pianos or small ensemble): Rob Goorhuis - Fiori Musicali; L. van Beethoven - Symphony no. 1 1st Movement: Introduction and Exposition
Conducting students enrolled in this master level 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.
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 the same repertoire as for the live audition. 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.
Entrance Exam
Conducting of the following works (two pianos or small ensemble): Florent Schmitt - Dionisiaques; C. Debussy - Prélude a l’après-midi d’un faune