Trombone
Although one of the hardest instruments to master, the trombone can play a lead role in all kinds of different jazz and music styles. 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, bigband, bop, Latin, contemporary jazz, pop & fusion, Nordic jazz, and various other musical approaches. Both developing your musical skills and expanding your creativity are important features during the lessons.
Teachers
Alex van Abeelen
Alex van Abeelen is a versatile and popular trombonist in the music industry. In 2019 he started as lead- and solotrombonist of the Orchestra of the Royal Dutch Airforce and he’s a regularly asked player in TV and radio-shows. He also is part of the bigbands Paradox Jazz Orchestra, Red Light Jazz Society and Dutch Jazz Collective, hornsection The Hornaments, the Dennis van Aarssen Band and several other projects. During his studies he developed a unique style in lead- and section-playing and a sophisticated idea on sound.
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.