Vibraphone
The vibraphone has been part of jazz history from very early on. In recent times, the instrument has become popular again with many innovative vibraphone players who are integrating the beautiful sound of the instrument in nowadays jazz. During your vibraphone study you will start out with the fundamentals of improvisation, technique, harmonization, composition, timing, and composing. As a vibraphone player, you will get acquainted with the most influential key players in jazz. Moreover, you will experience various styles such as bop, contemporary jazz, Latin, and Nordic jazz. This will ultimately lead into finding your own voice on your instrument.
Teachers
Vincent Houdijk
Vincent Houdijk is a virtuoso on the vibraphone. The combination of his classical and jazz studies, gave him a broad view on music. His approach cannot be described in one word since his inspiration is mainly influenced by jazz, world music, classical, minimal and improvised music. With his jazz group VinnieVibes he has performed at all important jazz venues and at the North Sea Jazz Festival. Vincent collaborated with Ravi Coltrane, Sean Jones, Maria Mendes, Eric Vloeimans, Wouter Hamel, Metropole Orkest, Kyteman Hip Hop Orchestra, Remy van Kesteren, Teus Nobel, and many others.
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.