Trumpet
The wind faculty seeks to train students to become all-round musicians capable of functioning in all areas of the professional practice: from musical orchestras to big bands through to jazz, fusion, pop and Latin ensembles, both live and recorded. Students gain experience in a variety of musical situations, with ensemble playing, solo performance and improvisation as focal points. Separate courses are offered for lead trumpet and lead alto, these are unique in Europe.
Teachers
Erik Veldkamp coordinator, lead trumpet; technique
Ruud Breuls
Jarmo Hoogendijk
Jan Wessels
Jacco Groenendijk technique
Robbert Scherpenisse methodology
Terell Stafford Artist in Residence
The teaching staff of the trumpet section consists of Ruud Breuls, Jan Wessels, Jarmo Hoogendijk (principal subject), Erik Veldkamp en Jacco Groenendijk (technique) en Robbert Scherpenisse (methodology). Terell Stafford is a regular guest teacher/Artist in Residence. Bobby Shew, Ambrose Akinmusire, Alex Sipiagin, and Avishai Cohen were guest teachers in the past years.
Coordinators: Erik Veldkamp
Admission
Admission requirements
A pre-selection will take place for the entrance exam by means of recordings of two pieces from the jazz idiom and one classical etude, to be uploaded by the candidate in the application form. If the candidate's level of playing does not match the requirements, he/she will not be invited to take the entrance exam.
During the entrance examination, the candidate is tested on:
1. Playing skill
a. The committee will choose from three pieces from the standard jazz repertoire (theme and improvisation) of different character, tempo and key, prepared by the candidate, in which he/she shows the committee both command of the instrument and a reasonable rhythmic, harmonic and melodic understanding. In playing these pieces improvisation must be an important factor.
b. For candidates who give priority to section playing (lead trumpet) there are also possibilities. In this case improvisatorial skills are less important. Candidates for this option must prepare four pieces from the big band repertoire in different styles and tempos.
c. Additionally, the candidate can play written material, e.g. jazz solos, jazz etudes and/or classical etudes (bring four copies of sheet music for the examination committee).
d. Being able to play:
- all major and minor scales
- all major and minor triads and dominant seventh chords
2. Hearing, tempo/timing and reading skills
This may consist of:
- repeating by ear a sung or played line
- filling in (playing solo) of a harmonic progression of given chord symbols
- playing of a written melody a prima vista
The committee supplements the examination with some exercises which must show the candidate's skills which have not been sufficiently disclosed up till then.
3. Assessment
The possibilities to follow a principal subject study will be discussed by the committee. Important issues for the assessment are:
- musicality, hearing and melodic understanding
- feeling for rhythm and tempo
- affinity with jazz or derived forms is supposed to be present
- harmonic understanding, reading chords
- technique and tone quality
- sight reading
Preselection
a. The candidate must submit via the application form three links (YouTube, Soundlink etc.) to audio or video recordings of their performances. On the basis of these materials, the committee will assess the candidate's level. If the candidate's level meets the requirements for the master's degree programme, the candidate may be invited to do a practical audition. In this audition, the candidate will play three songs, including:
- one original composition
- one jazz standard
Originality and a high level of improvising are required.
b. It is possible to take a master programme in lead trumpet. In this case, improvisatory skills are less important. Candidates wishing to take this option must submit three links of recordings in which the candidate's lead playing in a big band and/or pop section can be heard.