Saxophone
The saxophone is very close to the human voice as an instrument. Like every person, every saxophonist also develops his or her own and recognizable sound. In the lessons you will focus on timing, technique, improvisation, scales & chords, repertoire, and developing your personal sound. Various styles will be dealt with such as swing, bop, latin, contemporary jazz, pop & fusion, Nordic jazz, and various other musical approaches. Both developing your musical skills, as well as expanding your creativity are important features during the lessons.
Teachers
Maarten Hogenhuis
Maarten Hogenhuis is mostly known for his role as saxophonist in the Dutch 'power jazz group' BRUUT!, as a sideman with singer Thomas Azier, and for playing in duo with renowned guitarist Jesse van Ruller. He leads the Maarten Hogenhuis Trio and has been Artistic Director of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra. Maarten has been a member of The More Socially Relevant Jazz Music Ensemble, led by guitarist Reinier Baas, and is a much sought-after sideman, which resulted in the collaboration with a wide variety of artists, such as Michelle David & The True-tones, Ruben Hein, Benjamin Herman and Pete Philly & Perquisite. In 2019, he was selected for the North Sea Jazz Composition Assignment.
Mete Erker
Dutch saxophone player Mete Erker is renowned for his rich and warm sound, strong drive, and his very personal style and expressive way of playing: a combination of raw energy and lyricism. Throughout the years he’s worked with music masters like Peter Erskine, David Liebman, Doudou N’Diaye Rose, and Winston Mankunku. He is part of the jazz saxophone quartet Artvark, Estafest, and Kika Sprangers Large Ensemble. Furthermore he is working with his own Mete Erker Trio and his duo with pianist Jeroen van Vliet. He released 50+ albums and toured the world in a variety of settings, ranging from a modern dance choreography to popular dutch crossover acts like New Cool Collective and Zuco 103.
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.