Guitar
Modern creative, swing, groove music, rock influenced jazz, latin jazz; the possible approaches on jazz guitar seem endlessly. That’s why the lessons are tailored to the specifics of the student and their needs when they begin their studies. Especially at the start of your bachelor's, there will be an emphasis on developing strong fundamentals in terms of tone, improvisation, harmonization, articulation, language, reading and rhythm. These fundamentals are a basis on which the student can develop in any chosen direction.
Teachers
Daan Kleijn
Guitarist Daan Kleijn studied at the New York University, and worked as a jazz musician in the US before returning to The Netherlands. He has regularly performed at jazz venues such as the Blue Note, Birdland and Smalls Jazz Club. He can be heard as a sideman on numerous albums alongside some of todays foremost artists such as Rodney Green, Billy Drummond, Sam Yahel, Rich Perry, Glenn Zaleski and Mike Rodriquez. His own debut album was described as ‘brilliant’ (De Telegraaf). In his music, Daan combines refreshing original and modern compositions, melancholic Brazilian songs, and carefully chosen jazzstandards. ‘I have always considered teaching music an enriching endeavour, something to accompany and embellish my own development. Over the years, I have grown as a teacher and have been fortunate to teach at various academic institutions, and abroad.
Ed Verhoeff
The renowned Dutch magazine Gitarist described jazz guitarist Ed Verhoeff as possessing ‘phenomenal technique, beautiful sound, and harmonic depth.’ Ed is often defined as a versatile player who blends jazz, rock, fusion, and Latin into a style of his own. With great passion for improvisation, he likes to approach music with an open mind. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists such as John Abercrombie, Philip Catherine, Lucas van Merwijk, Nueva Manteca, Adam Nussbaum, Izaline Calister, Ivan Lins, Hein van de Geyn, Angelo Verploegen, Jazz Orchestra of the Concertgebouw, and the Metropole Orchestra.
There are three steps to the audition:
- 1. Video-preselection
- 2. Theory test
- 3. Live/online session with the main subject teachers
Candidates are expected to prepare material for both the video-preselection and the session with the main subject teachers. This can be the same or similar material for both steps.
1. Video-Preselection
Upload 3-5 videos to your personal upload portal (PortalPlus). Suggested material to prepare and upload:
- To assess your level of ability, you have to prepare three pieces. These pieces should represent different styles (e.g. jazz, funk, latin, pop, et cetera), but at least one piece must be a jazz standard.
2. Theory Test
If you are selected, you will be invited to an online theory test using Microsoft Teams (approx. 30min.). You can find the theory guidelines here.
3. Live/Online session
If you are selected after the first round, you will also be invited for a live or online audition:
- Candidates living in the Netherlands and Belgium will have to do a live audition, location Fontys Academy of the Arts (Zwijsenplein 1, Tilburg).
- Candidates from other countries will have to do an online audition.
Duration of the audition is 15/20 minutes.
When you are invited for a live audition, the commission prefers to see you perform and play your repertoire with an accompaniment/group or band of your own. If possible, bring your own musicians to the audition. In exceptional cases the school can provide accompaniment. Please indicate this on the questionnaire form you will receive after you application. Please be mindful: there is a warm-up room, but there’s no opportunity for a joint rehearsal on campus. Be sure to bring proper sheet music for your band members.
During both live and online sessions, you will be asked to perform your material as prepared for the pre-selection. Besides this, you can be asked to present additional exercises.