Drums
As a drummer you are the rhythmic compass of a group or ensemble. Sometimes playing hard swing time, sometimes subtly colouring, and other times with an exciting groove. At Fontys Music and Performing Arts you’ll be covering a broad approach of drum styles such as American and contemporary jazz, funk & grooves, European jazz, latin, and jazz rock.
Teachers
Joost Lijbaart
As a drummer Joost Lijbaart has been playing worldwide with various groups of the famous Dutch saxophone player Yuri Honing. He is also very very active with the group Under the Surface which features former Fontys MPA student Sanne Rambags, and guitarist Bram Stadhouders. The playing of Joost is rooted both in the American, and in the European jazz tradition which he both approached with a broad musical view. ‘Few drummers equal Lijbaart’s awareness of sound....it forces you to listen carefully’, says the Dutch newspaper de Volkskrant.
Antoine Pierre
Brussels based drummer and composer Antoine Pierre has become a key figure on the Belgian jazz scene. Het is the leader of the band URBEX. He is also part of the jazz-vs-rock-group TaxiWars led by singer Tom Barman and saxophonist Roben Verheyen, and has also collaborated with eminent guitarist Philip Catherine. Last years Antoine has developed a new solo project, VAAGUE, in which he fuses electronics and samples live with his drumming.
Hans van Oosterhout
The drumming of Hans van Oosterhout is rooted in acoustic jazz. Important in his lessons is development of craft together with a high artistic level. Hans has worked on the international scene for years, and has collaborated with top notch musicians such as Toots Thielemans, Nat Adderley, Lee Konitz, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Kenny Wheeler, Gary Burton, Harmen Fraanje, The Metropole Orchestra, Randy Brecker, and John Scofield.
Michiel Westerhuis
After graduating drums and percussion, Michiel Westerhuis left for Brasil to study music. He is an expert in Afro-Latin styles, and played in various group such as Medicamento Trio Novo, Som do Sol, and Capim. He regularly travels up and down to Brasil and plays there with several bands including Banda Lobo, and Robson. He also made study trips to Cuba and Africa.
Candidates living in the Netherlands/ Belgium/ Western Germany will do a live audition. Candidates from other countries will do an online audition. To assess your level of ability, you have to prepare five pieces. These pieces must represent different styles (e.g.jazz, latin, pop, et cetera). Play at least 3 jazzstandards. Make sure you play solo and trade 4 or 8 bars. In addition play a snaredrum exercise (Charley Wilcoxon or Mitchell Peters).
Video audition:
Make sure we can see your hands and posture in the video. Total duration 20-30 minutes. Your videos function as a first round. If you pass the first round you will be invited for a second round in the form of an e-meeting in which we can ask you to do additional assignments, like sight reading, in order for us to make a well informed decision about your application.
Live audition:
You are asked to present yourself and play your repertoire with other musicians. This can be your own band, or if this is not possible, the school will provide accompaniment. Please indicate this on the application form. There is no opportunity for rehearsal. Be sure to bring proper sheet music for your band members.