Music - Music and Performing Arts
- 4 years
- English
- Bachelor
- Full-time
Get to know us
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You make the difference.
Whether you want to become a specialist on your instrument, a musician who wants to make theater or a composer who wants to perform: together we find a path that suits you and in which you develop your dreams and talents. In our community we take you into the boundless world of art and music, all to be found under one roof in Tilburg. Here you will develop into a unique and agile artist, ready for a world in motion.
About Music and Performing Arts
The programme offers an ambitious and innovative Bachelor conservatory programme. Our vision is based on the idea that your individual musical development into a top musician can only flourish through practice. We encourage you, together with our teachers, your fellow students and the professional field, to develop new visions of musical artistry. This artistry is underpinned by six key skills: instrument & ensemble playing, self-management, interdisciplinarity, practice-oriented research, collective entrepreneurship and international connectedness. Our top teachers are right in the middle of the field and will coach you to further develop your talent.
What do we offer
- You will be intensively coached by your main subject, theory, research and ensemble teachers and taught by experts in the field of creative skills, personal development and entrepreneurship.
- A programme full of master classes and projects, collaborating with other art disciplines at Fontys Academy of the Arts.
- You will work with various artists, venues and disciplines, and have access to state of the art developments.
- An enthusiastic team of teachers who have earned their spurs in the field and know exactly what you need.
- A creative learning environment that offers plenty of room for your own initiative.
What are you going to learn?
We have built the bachelor programme on six key skills helping you to become a pioneer: instrument & ensemble playing, self-management, interdisciplinarity, practice-oriented research, collective entrepreneurship and international connectedness.
You will follow at least 3 hours of instrument classes a week, consisting of individual lessons, group lessons, technique, and ensemble. This means that you have almost twice as much contact with your instrument and ensemble teachers than in other conservatories. At the same time, you will learn how to reflect on your own development and that of others.
In the ensemble and chamber music trajectories team teaching is at the heart of the programme. You will become inspired by various teachers in a dynamic and collaborative context. Alongside this, you will participate in projects and masterclasses, work together with ensembles in residence and partners in the region, and you will audition for our concert series.
Your curriculum will be supported by knowledge on music theory, music history, cultural theory, research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary courses and other electives (such as conducting, philosophy, and teaching skills).
- The academy brings students to a high level of excellence, while connecting music with other art forms such as dance, theater and fine arts
- You’ll become a leader in your field and play important roles in the development of new visions on the music profession
- You evolve at a faster pace because you’ll get individual lessons, group lessons, technique and ensembles
- You’ll learn how to reflect on your own development and that of others
Programme
You are able to design a large part of your trajectory yourself. We believe that education is best when tailored to a student’s individual needs and prefer to shape it through the student’s personal interest, qualities and preferences. A professional team of mentors will guide you to make the right choices. You do not only become excellent musicians who can connect to the existing music field, but we also educate you to become frontrunners who inspire and change the current state of the art. Our internationally renowned professors, an excellent team of mentors, and a number of high-profile ensembles in residence will bring your artistry to a higher level!
Other trajectories
Young Musicians Academy
Are you an exceptionally talented and motivated young musician and are you between 8 and 18 years-old? Then the Young Musicians Academy might be for you.
More informationOther Trajectories
We offer preparatory programmes to prepare students for the Music and Performing Arts-audition process. Moreover, it is possible to take part in separate modules as a contract student.
More information
Sara WijlaarsThe Bachelor Classical Voice and Performance prepares students to be professional classical singers. Third-year student Sara would like to perform in professional opera productions after graduation.
A week at the academy
At Music and Performing Arts you have a 5-day study week from Monday till Friday. In the morning courses on music theory, music history, cultural theory, entrepreneurship and artistic research are offered. In the afternoon the instrument lessons (individual, group lessons, technique, complementary instrument piano) and ensemble lessons take place as well as the masterclasses and guest lectures. You also have time to study in the afternoon.
In the evening we host a lot of concerts, On Stage try out concerts, sessions, etc. together with our local partners. Also guest lectures on e.g. copyrights, artistic technological skills and workshops take place. On top of this we host 3 projectweeks per year together with our partners in the field.
The total study load takes up 40 hours per week.
The Performance Gallery of the Fontys bachelor Music and Performing Arts and the Master of Music gives you an impression about past projects, festivals, concerts and masterclasses.
- Develop basic skills in instrument (technique and interpretation), ensemble, music theory, history, cultural history and research
- Interdisciplinarity (working together with toher disciplines, body and mind (Cesar Therapy, injury prevention)
- Projects and masterclasses
- Additional piano lessons
- For jazz student we also offer playground (playing together with instrument professors) and bigband lessons (all years)
- Classical singers have an additional trajectory in languages (French, IPA, German, Italian) and drama (actor training, theatrical improvisation)
- Richter and deeper level of lessons in instrument, ensemble, music theory, history, cultural history and research.
- 2 introductionary courses (to select out of 8): concerning conducting, teaching, entrepreneurship or theory on demand.
- Interdisciplinarity: focus on the theatricallity of music performance
- Projects and masterclasses
- Additonal instrument lessons
- Classical singers have an additional trajectory in languages (French, IPA, German, Italian) and drama (actor training, theatrical improvisation).
- Instrument and ensemble continues.
- Entrepreneurship course.
- Interdisciplinarity: focus on concept development for concerts and performances.
- Projects and masterclasses
- Free Choice (30 out of 60EC): you can design your own trajectory
- Focus on final exam and personal interdisciplinary project
- Electives (10EC).
- Entrepreneurship course
- Projects ands masterclasses
Requirements
English language proficiency
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
English language proficiency
Visa
As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.
*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Language requirements for Dutch students
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required. As an applicant with a Dutch MBO-4, HAVO- or VWO-diploma you can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diplomas:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Costs
The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.
Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees
A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.
Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:
- Low institutional tuition fees
- High institutional tuition fees
Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations
These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the:
The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:
- If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
- If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
- If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Paying in instalments
Collection will take place in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.
If paying the full sum in a single payment
If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.
Non EU students
Incoming Non EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years payment can be done by direct debit.
Non-Sepa
If you have a Bank account number, of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a paymentletter from Fontys via your course department.
The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).
The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 900 and EUR 1,100 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs.
Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 11,520 per year (€ 5,760 per semester)
Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months.
Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.
Career opportunities
We aim to train you to become a top qualified artist. In today’s networked societies, crucial skills for people, and therefore for artists, include being able to communicate and to create and maintain good networks. These are prerequisites for allowing your creativity to blossom.
Our motto is: Putting your Musical Talent to work.
- Performing in traditional concert venues and festivals with small ensembles
- Teaching in music schools or private practices
- Participating in interdisciplinary performances with Dance, Circus, Theatre or performing in unconventional spaces like outdoor, prisons, elderly homes, refugee shelters, etc.
- Working as a project manager, policy maker in the artistic sector
- Working as a session musician and recording business
I really got to develop and grow into the musician I am now."Sanne Rambags, alumnus
How to apply
All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.
The application process may differ for EU and Non-EU students, please read below what applies for you.
Studielink support
Applying for studies in Studielink can be challenging. The Studielink website offers several step-by-step plans to guide you through the enrollment process.
Auditon process
- To take part in the audition you first have to apply (see the link "How to apply for admission" above what the 2 steps are for application!).
- Candidates living in the Netherlands, Belgium and Western Germany will be invited to participate in a live audition.
- Candidates living in other countries will audition online, they can upload a video audition.
- The auditions will take place in the following weeks: 5-9 February 2024, 22-26 April 2024, 27-31 May 2024 (the last one is not accessible for Non-EEA candidates because of the Visa procedure). The exact dates per main subject can be found here (download).
- Read the Audition Requirements per profile under "Programme".
- Part of the audition proces is a theory test.
- If you are admitted, the student administration will send you an email about your enrolment and will ask you to send your diploma / degree certificate.
- Make sure you apply in time! If you are accepted early on you can start looking for a room, your place is guaranteed and you don't have to be on a waiting list, you will receive all the information on time, you can already participate in activities, you can already make contact with the teachers etc.
DEADLINE
The deadline to subscribe for EEA candidates is July 1, but MIND YOU! The audition deadlines are before this date.
The deadline to subscribe for non-EEA candidates is April 1, but MIND YOU! The audition deadlines are before this date.
ADVICE
The longer you wait with your application and enrolment, the harder it will be to find a room in Tilburg. Tilburg has many students, so from July/August onwards it is very difficult to find a room.
The longer you wait with your application and enrolment, the harder it will be to find a room in Tilburg. Tilburg has many students, so from July/August onwards it is very difficult to find a room.
Agenda
Sign up for one of our events. There's no better way to find out if this study programme is right for you! Visit a webinar from the comfort of your home or meet us live on campus. Whichever you choose, we hope to meet you soon.
Open Day
January 20 and 21, 2024
Programme
Open Day
January 20 and 21, 2024
Programme
Having trouble making up your mind about your future studies? Or maybe you've already decided? Either way, we invite you to experience it firsthand at our Open Day. Step onto our campus and get a real taste of what your chosen study programme could be like. Our students and teachers will be your guides, ready to show you around.
Mark your calendar for our upcoming Open Days in January 2024:
- January 20 in Tilburg
- January 21 in Eindhoven and Venlo
Do you want to be a part of it? Simply share your details, and you'll be among the first to receive updates.
European Clarinet Congress
From the 6th till the 9th of December 2023, the European Clarinet Congress will take place in Tilburg. In and around Fontys Academy of the Arts, there will be multiple workshops, lectures and concerts focussing on the modern role of the clarinet. Students from Music and Performing Arts will be joining the congress through a Blended Intensive Programme.