About HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

Playing, making music and communicating is what you do at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium. It’s all about discovering your talent. You’ll become a music professional who can really communicate with your audience. Find out how you can put your talents to use and amaze your audience!

HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

HKU Utrechts Conservatorium offers a place to grow, both as musician and as a person. You develop yourself by encountering others and permanent dialogue – with yourself, as well as with fellow students, teachers, the public and professionals from the field. Multiple voices, and the ability to work from multiple perspectives, in ever-changing contexts, are at the centre of our education.

Room to growth

Of course, we teach you how to master your instrument or your voice. But we also nurture your imagination: who you can be as a musician and human being. The stories you have to tell and the various contexts in which they can be told. You get to know others, your audience, and the meaning you can provide as musician. With new music that only you can make, in your own special way. The starting point of this development is you. We see you, your story, your inspiration and talents, your creativity. We offer you the room and the guidance to grow further.

The power of dialogue

At HKU Utrechts Conservatorium you develop yourself through interaction. You encounter both yourself as well as the people around you. We believe in the power of dialogue; believe that we learn more from a mutual conversation than by only listening. That learning to reflect is more valuable than just memorising facts. And similarly, learning how to give and receive feedback goes beyond simply criticizing. People don’t learn from taking them by the hand, but by encouraging them to take their own steps forward. In a safe environment where everyone can and dares to be themselves.

Excel in being you

At HKU Utrechts Conservatorium, you do not only grow into a musician who excels in your craft. You also become a musician who excels in being yourself, to add meaning from your authentic identity. We live in an ever-changing world in which the capacity to get to know the other, and yourself, again and again, is essential. This applies to us as conservatorium as well. We are also constantly adapting to the changing world around us, always challenging ourselves to work from new perspectives, changing contexts and new breeding grounds.

HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

HKU Utrechts Conservatorium is one of the schools within HKU. It is a large and multi-faceted conservatoire, recognised in the European conservatory world. Our goal is to help you become a professional musician with your own views, opinions and ways of doing things, with your personal development at the core.

What can you expect

At HKU Utrechts Conservatorium you can grow into a versatile professional, functioning at the highest possible level. The music programmes are very demanding. Maybe you enjoy playing music now because it’s relaxing and fun. If you’re accepted to HKU, you’ll be working hard. A professional music programme is a full-time degree programme requiring at least 40 hours of work a week. You’ll often be busy weekends and in the evenings as well. On the other hand, you’ll be growing and expanding your talent, playing a lot of music with other students, and exploring your own creativity!

Projects and concerts

The programme at HKU is very broad-based. It’s not just about making music: you’ll also take courses about other aspects of the profession, and get practical experience. Each year, HKU organises lots of projects and concerts to help you get that experience. As an important part of Utrecht’s cultural scene, the conservatoire works closely with several performing venues such as TivoliVredenburg and De Helling.

The Courses

HKU Utrechts Conservatorium provides bachelor’s and more advanced degree programmes in music, with a range of pathways to 40 different main subjects.
  • The Bachelor of Music in Education trains you to be a music instructor. You’ll have a Dutch upper secondary teaching qualification, with which you can teach in primary and secondary schools, secondary vocational education and post-secondary education. You can also work with arts-education organisations, and of course with music ensembles, orchestras and performance venues.
  • In the Bachelor of Music in Historical Peroformance Practice you’ll develop into a musician with a broad mastery of your instrument. You’ll also learn to see music from a historical perspective. You’ll develop a critical attitude and draw conclusions by studying the sources. Your growing knowledge will keep giving you new insights.
  • In the Bachelor of Music in Jazz & Pop programme, you’ll develop as a specialist on your instrument. You’ll learn to improvise, arrange and compose. You’ll play in a variety of groups and get experience performing in ensembles and projects. You’ll learn how to tell your own story. It’s your future, and you decide what it looks like!
  • From Bach fugues to Atmospheres of Ligeti, your musical personality will grow in the Bachelor of Music in Classical Music course. You’ll become an expert on your own instrument, learn to play different styles, and explore all your talents.
  • In the Musician 3.0 Bachelor of Music course you’ll explore your individuality and your talent by creating music yourself. You’ll do this on various instruments and in different contexts, charting your own course through different genres and styles.
  • In the two-year Master of Music (MMus) programme, your personal study plan is the core. You’ll have the opportunity to develop further as an instrumentalist, vocalist, composer, producer, sound designer or music technician.
  • If you’re not sure if you’re ready for a bachelor’s course at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium, then the Foundation Course is a good start for you. You’ll get individual singing, instrumental, and composition lessons, and the music theory and solfège classes will prepare you for the theoretical part of the entrance exam for the bachelor’s programme.
  • In addition to the four-year choral conducting programme, HKU Utrechts Conservatorium also gives a one-year practical course in Choir Conducting for Professional Musicians. In this course, you’ll get the knowledge and skills necessary to lead a vocal ensemble or choir.

The people at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium

  • Course leader
    Christian Boel

    Arranging/ensemble
    Arjen Berends
    Servaas Schreuders

    Choir, choir conductor and choir practicum
    Servaas Schreuders

    Cobranie
    Jefffrey Noordijk

    Combo
    Peter van der Ent
    Ton-Herman Melis
    Jeroen Thijsen

    Cultural history
    Renee van Schijndel

    Drama
    Mathijs van der Heide

    Educational science
    Jose Konings

    Graduation research
    Arnoud Herenigen
    Femke Bellaard
    Erzsi Ladage
    Christian Boel
    Jose Konings
    Karin van der Poel

    Main course and internship
    Femke Bellaard
    Christian Boel
    Jose Konings
    Erzsi Ladage

    Meet the music
    Christian Boel

    Music history - classical music
    Arnoud Herenigen

    Music history - pop music
    Frank de Munnik

    Piano accompaniment
    Ton-Herman Melis
    Jeroen Thijsen

    Research skills
    Jose Konings

    (S)Mash-programme
    Erzsi Ladage

    Solfège
    Servaas Schreuders

    Theory
    Arjen Berends

    Vocals
    Dennis Kivit
    Marijke Nuchelmans
    Karin van der Poel
    Marjet Spook
  • Course leader
    Ivar Berix

    Analysis/synthesis
    Kristján Martinsson
    Ward van Woerkum

    Artistic leadership
    Esmée Olthuis

    Artistic research
    Ned McGowan
    Nina Glockner

    Artistic development
    Gijs Batelaan
    Wiek Hijmans
    Tet Koffeman
    Esmée Olthuis
    Bart Soeters
    Eelco Topper
    a.o.

    Composition
    Ned McGowan

    Creative production and performance
    Eelco Topper

    Dynamic artistry
    Myra Driessen

    Ensemble
    Wiek Hijmans
    Tobias Klein
    Roosmarijn Tuentler

    Exposure
    Tet Koffeman

    Harmonious development
    Kristján Martinsson
    Ward van Woerkum

    Instrumental play
    Bass guitar
    Bart Soeters

    Drums
    Joost Kesselaar
    Mees Siderius

    Guitar
    Gijs Batelaan
    Wiek Hijmans

    Piano
    Nora Mulder

    Saxophone
    Tobias Klein
    Esmée Olthuis

    Violin
    George Dumitriu

    Vocals
    Kristina Fuchs
    Jeffrey Noordijk
    Marjet Spook

    Integral instruction propaedeutic phase
    Esmée Olthuis

    Interdisciplinary Collaboration
    Wiek Hijmans
    Francisca Rijken

    Internship
    Myra Driessen

    Laboratory
    Jeffrey Noordijk
    Esmée Olthuis

    Making processes for musical performance (MMP)
    Ard Kok
    Mees Siderius

    Music software
    Aart de Jong

    Musical Embodiment
    Francisca Rijken

    Performance art
    Nina Glockner

    Performance coaching
    Nina Glockner

    Study coaching
    Tet Koffeman

    Vocal Playground
    Jeffrey Noordijk
  • Course leader
    Cécile Rongen

    Arranging
    Willem van Merwijk

    Cello
    Victor García García
    Jeroen den Herder
    Timora Rosler

    Chamber music
    Annemarie Konijnenburg (coordinator)
    Ernest Rombout
    Timora Rosler

    Choir direction and choir practicum
    Rob Vermeulen

    Church music
    Mark Lippe (core teacher)

    Clarinet
    Céleste Zewald

    Composition
    Caroline Ansink
    Anne-Maartje Lemereis

    Correpetition
    Leon Bak
    Felix Justin
    Carl van Reenen
    Peter Sluijs
    Mariken Zandvliet

    Declamation
    Luca Avanzi (Italian)
    Anna Kramer (German)
    José Lieshout (French)

    Double bass
    James Oesi

    Drama
    Gusta Gerritsen Teengs

    Educational subjects
    Heleen Gerretsen (core teacher)

    Flute
    Aldo Baerten

    Hobo
    Ernest Rombout

    Music theory
    Duco Burgers
    ​Arnoud Heerings
    Daan van den Hurk (kerndocent)
    Anne-Maartje Lemereis
    Rens Tienstra

    Musical history
    Arnoud Heerings

    Musician's Health
    Criss Taylor

    Piano
    Vivianne Cheng
    Henry Kelder (core teacher)
    Evelina Vorontsova
    Klara Wurtz

    Production subjects
    Aart de Jong
    Eelco Topper

    Saxophone
    Andreas Mader

    Stage training
    Wilfred van de Peppel

    Viola
    Annemarie Konijnenburg (core teacher)
    Mikhail Zamtsov

    Violin
    Chris Duindam (core teacher)
    Carla Leurs
    Hebe Mensinga

    Vocals
    Selma Harkink
    Karin van der Poel (core teacher)
    Erik Slik
  • Theory
    Arjen Berends
    Daan van den Hurk
    Bart Noorman
  • Course leader
    Eva Korse

    Analysis/synthesis
    Bart Soeters (year 2)

    Applied musical theory
    Bart Noorman

    Arranging/composition
    Konrad Koselleck

    Band Skills - coaching
    Year 1: band skills
    Tobias Nijboer
    Erik Rutjes

    Year 2 and 3: band skills specials
    Gé Bijvoet: playground
    George Dumitriu: ensemble Z
    Rembrandt Frerichs: playground
    André Groen: latin
    Joel Groenewold: funk
    Theo de Jong: brasil
    Joost Kesselaar: playground
    Konrad Koselleck: re-composing
    Tim Langedijk: playground
    Jan Schröder: pop/production
    Koen Smits: make it
    Toon Roos: fusion
    Samuel de Smit: live electronics

    Year 4 and Master of Music: band skills individual project
    Martijn Crama
    Tami Toledo Matuoka
    Hannie van Veldhoven
    Several guest teachers

    Band Skills Production Management
    Koen Smits

    Bass guitar
    Joël Groenewold
    Theo de Jong

    Big band (project)
    Nils van Haften
    Ilja Reijngoud
    Various guest teachers

    Close harmony (project)
    Henk Kraaijeveld
    Marit van der Lei

    Creating music
    Jan Schröder

    Double bass
    Tobias Nijboer

    Drums
    André Groen
    Joost Kesselaar

    Flute
    Caroline Ansink (technique)
    Mark Alban Lotz

    Guitar
    George Dumitriu
    Marcel Karreman
    Daan Kleijn
    Erik Rutjes

    Musical history
    Frank de Munnik

    Piano
    Gé Bijvoet
    Bert van den Brink
    Rembrandt Frerichs
    Celia García-García (technique)
    Daan van den Hurk (technique)
    Delaney Nelom
    Marit Thus
    Bart de Win

    Practical rhythm lab
    André Groen

    Professional development
    Juliette Bogers
    Hannie van Veldhoven

    Saxophone
    Toon Roos
    Marc Scholten

    Trumpet
    Rik Mol
    Koen Smits

    Violin
    George Dumitriu

    Vocals
    Lydia van Dam
    Kristina Fuchs
    Annemarie Maas
    Harjo Pasveer
    Bart de Win
  • Advanced jazz & pop analysis
    Bart Soeters

    Advanced language coaching for vocalists
    Luca Avanzi, Italiaans
    Anna Kramer, Duits
    José Lieshout, Frans

    Advanced rhythm & pulse
    Ned McGowan

    Arranging for applied contexts
    Willem van Merwijk

    Arranging jazz & pop
    Konrad Koselleck

    Historical informed performance lab
    Antoinette Lohmann

    Improvisation & performance practices
    Mary Sayre

    Jazz & pop lab
    Bart Soeters
    diverse gastdocenten

    Master composers of the 17th century
    Mary Sayre

    Mentoring master of music
    Víctor García García
    Maarten Jansen
    Anne-Maartje Lemereis
    Annemarie Maas
    Ned McGowan (core teacher)
    Mary Sayre
    Hannie van Veldhoven
    Christiaan Winter

    Music, art & culture
    Arnoud Heerings
    Frank de Munnik

    Musician in society
    Cécile Rongen

    Musical leadership
    Servaas Schreuders

    Non-western rhythms & techniques
    Sjahin Düring

    Physical stage training
    Wilfred van de Peppel
  • Course leader
    Cécile Rongen

    Arranging
    Willem van Merwijk

    Baroque cello
    Victor García García

    Baroque oboe
    Daniël Lanthier (guest teacher)

    Baroque trombone
    Bram Peeters (guest teacher)

    Baroque violin and baroque viola
    Antoinette Lohmann (core teacher)

    Basso continuo
    Mary Sayre

    Carillion
    Tommy van Doorn
    Christiaan Winter

    Chamber music
    Siebe Henstra
    Heiko ter Schegget

    Correpetition
    Artem Belogurov
    Jörn Boysen

    Educational subjects
    Heleen Gerretsen (core teacher)

    Fortepiano
    Arlem Belogurov

    Harpsichord
    Siebe Henstra

    Historical documentation
    Antoinette Lohmann

    Historical flutes/traverso
    Doretthe Janssens

    Musician's health
    Criss Taylor

    Musical history
    Arnoud Heerings

    Musical theory
    Duco Burgers
    ​Arnoud Heerings
    Daan van den Hurk (kerndocent)
    Anne-Maartje Lemereis
    Rens Tienstra

    Orchestra practicum
    Antoinette Lohmann

    Organ
    Laurens de Man
    Reitze Smits

    Recorder
    Heiko ter Schegget

    Viola da gamba/violone
    Joshua Cheatham
  • Course leader
    Marjolijn Boersma

    Bachelor research
    Annemarie Maas
    Heleen Gerretsen
    Karin van der Poel
    Mary Sayre

    Educational subjects

    Didactics
    Heleen Gerretsen

    Methodology
    Caroline Ansink (flute Classical Music)
    Chris Duindam (violin and viola)
    Peter van der Ent (guitar)
    Heleen Gerretsen (recorder)
    Joël Groenewold (bass guitar and double bass Jazz & Pop)
    Antoinette Lohmann (baroque violin and baroque viola)
    Mark Alban Lotz (flute Jazz & Pop)
    Annemarie Maas (vocals Jazz & Pop)
    Laurens de Man (organ)
    Els van Naegele - van Oldenborgh (cello)
    Bart Noorman (trumpet Jazz & Pop)
    Els van Oldenborgh (cello)
    Karin van der Poel (vocals Classical Music)
    Ernest Rombout (oboe)
    Cécile Rongen (clarinet)
    Martijn Soeterbroek (drums)
    Mary Sayre (harpsichord)
    Marc Scholten (saxophone Jazz & Pop)
    Marit Thus (piano Jazz & Pop)

    Musical pedagogy
    Heleen Gerretsen

    Other subjects

    Cultural entrepeneurship
    Petra Befort
    Myra Driessen

    Educational internship
    Heleen Gerretsen
    Martijn Soeterbroek
    Marit Thus

    Ensemble leadership
    Servaas Schreuders

    Music software
    Daniël Koomen
    Ton-Herman Melis

    Production courses
    Aart de Jong
    Eelco Topper

    Professional development
    Petra Befort
    Marloes Hendriks
    Doretthe Janssens
    Annemarie Maas
    Bart Noorman
    Karin van der Poel
    Erik Rutjes

Research

Lecturers at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium have an inquisitive, reflective attitude, ask questions about their practice and are always looking for new ways to develop it further. They share their experiences in the ICAN research group. This group, led by Bart van Rosmalen of the professorship Art and Professionalisation, meets regularly to exchange research experiences and to reflect on how these experiences can be reflected in teaching practice. In this way, an inquisitive, reflective attitude is at the heart of educational innovation. Want to know more about research at HKU Utrechts Conservatorium? Involved teachers tell you all about it on the Musework website.

Contact and location

You can find HKU Utrechts Conservatorium at our location Mariaplaats.

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