Jos Schillings, director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium, announces his departure

With his experience as musician, music educator and musicologist, Jos has established professional music education at the Conservatorium that enabled students to grow and innovate. Initially in the roles of course leader, principal teacher, head of the Music in Education department and eventually for 13 years as director, he managed to unite the art of playing, creating and communicating music in the heart of the curriculum, mostly backed by social and cultural issues. One of the successes he realised in this way, is the establishment of the Musician 3.0 programme, through which HKU added an innovate programme to the Higher Music Education sector.

What characterised Jos, was his conviction that the value of education is not only determined by what we do, but mainly by constantly discussing the why and the how of our actions. This conversation, curious, critical and inspiring, was held on a daily basis with students, teachers and colleagues. It made HKU Utrechts Conservatorium what it is today: a place where innovation and professionalism go hand in hand. And as result, the Bachelor of Music and the Bachelor of Music in Education have again gained the status of Top Programme in the ‘Keuzegids’ study choice guide.

Jos Schillings: “It has been a privilege to be part of a community that brings together music, education and innovation. HKU Utrechts Conservatorium is always moving, fostered by curiosity and cooperation. I am particularly grateful for the inspiration that I found each day among the teachers and students – their inquisitive mindset, their energy and vision is what brings the conservatorium to life, what sets it in motion. It makes me proud to have been a contributor to that for more than 25 years.”

Judith Meijer, interim chair of HKU's Executive Board: 'with his vision, determination and humanity, Jos has made a permanent impact on the development of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium and on generations of musicians. We are very grateful to him for his many years of commitment and involvement, and look forward to celebrating the 150-year anniversary of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium together with him.'

Jos Schillings will serve as director until the summer of 2026, ending the anniversary year together with students and colleagues. Preparations for finding a successor will start by the end of this year.

About Jos Schillings:

Jos Schillings has been director of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium since 2013. Prior to this, he had various roles at the Conservatorium, such as principal teacher, programme leader and head of the Music in Education department. From 2005 to 2013, he also served as member, and subsequently as chair, of the faculty council for the Music department. In total, he has been involved with HKU for 25 years.

Before his time with HKU, Jos worked as a music consultant at EDU-ART Gelderland, where he assisted schools in enhancing their music education. Additionally, he arranged the programme notes as a musicologist for De Nederlandse Opera, Nationale Reisopera, Brabants Orkest, tv broadcast organisation VPRO and VARA’s Matinee. Jos also was a teacher at the Conservatorium Maastricht and Utrecht University. He also held supervisory and management responsibilities at, among others, Utrecht Centre for the Arts and the Yo! Opera Festival.

Throughout the years, one conviction served as the main thread in his work: the idea that education must always move forward and can always be improved. Jos sees it as his mission to enhance the capacity for growth and innovation among students, teachers and organisations. This principle lies at the base of many educational developments within Utrechts Conservatorium, such as the founding of the innovative Musician 3.0 programme.

Jos’ professional drive is to create a learning environment where playing music, creating music and communication come together, fostered by the conviction that art and education play an essential role in societal progress.