You will learn everything you need to become a professional musician. Playing your instrument is the most important part of the course. Besides individual lessons, you will have theory classes, coaching, group lessons and ensemble lessons.
Main subjects
You can choose one of the following main subjects:
• string instruments: violin, viola, violoncello or double bass
• wind instruments: flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet
• other instruments: piano, organ or carillon
• singing
• choral conducting
• composition
Specialisations
At the end of your first year, you will choose one of the following specialisations:
• Performance & Education
• Performance & Production
More about the study programme
The courses for church musician (church choir leader, church organ playing) and for orchestral or brass band conductor are part of the Master of Music course.
You are a gifted singer or you play an instrument with great skill. Now, you want to make music your profession. You aim to be the best in your profession, and you are therefore critical about yourself, if necessary. In order to develop as a musician, you are willing to learn and are open to another’s experiences.
Music is communication and you want to communicate. You will share your love of music with your audience during a concert, with your fellow musicians in workshops, or with your pupils during lessons. During rehearsal with your ensemble, you search for those results that sound best. And for the future audience of your concert you compile an exciting programme.
It may not always be easy to earn a living out of music, but you are positive that you want to be a musician.
Most musicians have a mixed professional practice, in which they combine all sorts of musical activities: performing, teaching and studio work.
If you specialise in Performance & Education, you will later be teaching at a music school or cultural centre, or in your private practice. With the specialisation Performance & Production, you will prepare for work as a producer, arranger or organiser (of concerts, for example). Both specialisations are based on the assumption that you will later remain mainly active as a performing musician. This is the basis for all your other work.
Utrechts Conservatorium maintains permanent contact with graduates and professional performers. 80% of the graduates earn their main income as a professional musician, often in a combination of performing and teaching.
Many graduates of Utrechts Conservatorium work in Dutch orchestras. There is an increasing demand for performances that combine music with other art forms (theatre, literature, education and cross-over). This broadens the working area of the musician.
• Renowned teachers
• Contact with and links to professional practice
• Lots of ensemble playing
• Masterclasses from guest lecturers
• Projects and concerts: for concert experience, both as a soloist and in ensembles at various venues
• Training in presentation, auditions and applications, and entrepreneurship
• Interdisciplinary projects with the other faculties at Utrecht School of the Arts.
After completing the Bachelor of Music programme, you can advance to the Master of Music.
If you would like to know more about the Classical Music teachers, then take a look at the list of teachers. For further questions you can contact info@muziek.hku.nl or call +31 (0)30-231 40 44.