The Bachelor programme is a four year course. The student may focus on one of two specializations, each in combination with basso continuo.

I Final exam Renaissance lute in combination with basso continuo
In a programme of 60 minutes the following categories should be included:

1. Italian 16th century: F. da Milano, 3 Fantasias
2. A 16th century intavolation, for example: ‘Susanne un jour’; ‘Anchor che col partire’; ‘Douce Mémoire’
3. English 16th-17th century: J. Dowland or A. Holborne - Fantasy, Pavan, Galliard, Almain
4. Italian or French 17th century, for example J.H. Kapsberger - Toccata-Gagliarda-Courante; R. Ballard - ‘Entrée de luth’, ‘Courante de la Reine’
5. 3 or 4 works of the candidate’s choice including a ‘Treble and Ground’
6. 2 ‘Lute Ayres’ or ‘Airs de Cour’

II Final exam Baroque lute in combination with basso continuo
In a programme of 60 minutes the following categories should be included:

1. French 17th century: Suite de pieces, including a Prélude non mesuré by, for example, Ennemond or Denis Gautier, François Dufaut, Charles Mouton, or Jacques Gallot.
2. German/Austrian/Bohemian, 17th-18th century: works by for example, E. Reusner, J.A. Logy, S.L. Weiss.
3. Suite by J.S. Bach

III Final exam for basso continuo, lute bachelor
Performed on theorbo and/or archlute:

• Accompaniment from an unfigured bass (Italian or English monody)
• accompaniment of a recitative (unknown to candidate till shortly before examination)
• 2 movements of a vocal or instrumental composition (17th or early 18th century), prepared before the examination

Admission requirements
Audition candidates will be selected on the basis of a video recording to be submitted digitally via the application form. Recordings must be received by February 1st at the latest. The video repertoire consists of a diverse selection from the required audition repertoire of maximum 15 minutes.

Audition repertoire
The candidate must be able to read French and Italian tablature and music notated in G- and F-clef. In a programme of 15-20 minutes the candidate has to play at least twoworks from the following categories, depending on the type of lute.

6-10 course lute (Renaissance lute), for example
F. da Milano - Fantasia
J. Dowland - Pavan, Galliard, Almain, Fantasy (1 or 2 movements)

11-13 course lute (Baroque lute), for example
Ennemond or Denis Gautier: Prélude, Allemande, Courante, Sarabande (1 or 2 movements).
J. Chr. Kellner - Phantasia
S.L. Weiss - 2 movements from a Suite

A bachelor level, acquired with excellent results, gives the possibility of a master study in which the candidate chooses a subject and creates a study programme that combines musicological research and musicianship. Study programme in combination with the principal continuo programme.

I
Examining and playing ‘written out’ continuo parts by studying songs with original tablature accompaniment in different styles such as found in:

• ‘A Musical Banquet’, collected by Robert Dowland (1610) for voice and lute
• 'Airs de Cour’ and ‘Récits’ by P. Guédron, E. Moulinié, and A. Boësset (Ballard editions 1620-1643) for voice and lute
• ‘Arie’ and ‘Vilanelle’ by J.H. Kapsberger (1610, 1612 and 1619) for voice(s) and theorbo

II
Playing from an unfigured an figured bass line in 17th century vocal and instrumental music in different styles.
 
Repertoire includes the accompaniment of:

• Italian monody; instrumental sonatas, and opera
• German vocal and instrumental ensemble
• English song and consort music
• French Airs and opera

III
Acquiring a good knowledge of the use of the archlute and theorbo in 18th century vocal and instrumental music. Attention will be paid to: fast moving bass lines (with or without harmony), complex figures, research into the role of plucked instruments in 18th-century religious music and opera.

The final exam includes a lecture or lecture-recital as well as a recital.

Admission requirements
Audition candidates will be selected on the basis of a video recording to be submitted digitally via the application form. Recordings must be received by February 1st at the latest. The video repertoire consists of a diverse selection from the required audition repertoire of maximum 15 minutes.

Audition repertoire

• Accompaniment from a figured bass (Italian or English monody)
• Accompaniment of 2 movements of a vocal or instrumental composition (17th or early 18th century)
• Solo: a movement from a suite by J.S. Bach and a French Prélude non mesuré