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Conservatory of Music

Conservatory of Music

Your study programme

Get a good impression of what your study programme will look like.

What will you learn?

Whether you want to become a specialist on your instrument, a musician who wants to make theatre or a composer who wants to perform: together we find a path that suits you and in which you develop your dreams and talents.

Students of the bachelor programme Fontys Music and Performing Arts perform in a combination of partner acrobatics, flute, bass clarinet and bassoon.

  • Teachers / main subjects Jazz & Creative Music

  • Teachers / main subjects Classical

  • Develop basic technique and interpretation skills on your instrument.

  • Ensemble play! Choose your core ensemble & project ensembles.

  • And also piano lessons, music theory & history, research, entrepreneurship and co-creation.

Which specialisation will you choose?

Specialisations

Classical

Our innovative contemporary approach invites you to navigate the unique field of classical music in diverse ways.

Classical

As a classical musician in our Conservatory, you are encouraged to change roles and positions in the creative process, opening up more professional and artistic opportunities.

  • Main subjects

    Your craftmanship and creativity as an instrumentalist, vocalist, or composer will be stimulated during lessons with your main subject teacher. Together you will focus on learning the fundamentals you need as a musician and on finding your own artistic voice.

  • Additional subjects

    We support the integration of theory and techniques with contemporary societal and artistic topics, offering you a well-rounded, forward-thinking education that increases both your visibility and impact. You are educated to become a versatile musician who will be able to work in the broad field of music.

  • Ensembles

    We offer you a collaborative creative environment that complements your individual musical growth. We foster a rich environment for continuous learning, ensuring that you refine your technical skills while also engaging in innovative artistic expression in the working field inside and outside the conservatory.

More about this programme Teachers - main subjects - audition guidelines
Specialisations

Jazz

You'll learn the craftmanship that is necessary to become an excellent musician.

Jazz

You develop your own creativity and find your own sound and voice. Since music, and especially improvisation, is all about interaction, we present specialized ensembles.

  • Main subjects

    Your craftmanship and creativity as an instrumentalist, vocalist, or composer will be stimulated during lessons with your main subject teacher. Together you will focus on learning the fundamentals you need as a musician and on finding your own artistic voice.

  • Additional subjects

    We support the integration of theory and techniques with contemporary societal and artistic topics, offering you a well-rounded, forward-thinking education that increases both your visibility and impact. You are educated to become a versatile musician who will be able to work in the broad field of music.

  • Ensembles

    We offer you a collaborative creative environment that complements your individual musical growth. We foster a rich environment for continuous learning, ensuring that you refine your technical skills while also engaging in innovative artistic expression in the working field inside and outside the conservatory.

More about this programme Teachers - main subjects - audition guidelines

Programme structure for the next 4 years

The curriculum is diverse. Mornings offer music theory and history, entrepreneurship and research. Afternoons include instrument lessons (individual, group, and complementary instrument) and ensemble lessons, plus time for self-study. Throughout the year, there are project weeks and events such as masterclasses and student concerts.

a student from the bachelor programme Fontys Conservatory of Music performs on stage, singing and acting
First year
Tilburg

First year

In the first year, the emphasis is on laying a solid foundation. You develop strong basic skills in your instrument and work with your ensembles. Moreover, you have lessons in music theory and music history and co-create with other art disciplines.

a student from the bachelor programme Fontys Conservatory of Music performs with her violin
Second year
Tilburg

Second year

In the second year, you dive deeper in the courses that you started in your first year. In addition, you choose two introductory electives: concerning conducting, teaching, composing and studio. Next to the theory and history lessons you start with research.

a student from the bachelor programme Fontys Conservatory of Music is practicing at school with drums and clarinet
Third year
Tilburg

Third year

In your third year, lessons in instrument and ensemble play continue. Courses in entrepreneurship are added to the curriculum. In addition, you design half of your study year yourself (30 out of 60 ECs). You can do your free choice, follow a minor or attent classes at a partner conservatory of music abroad. Projects and masterclasses are also present.

a student from the bachelor programme Fontys Conservatory of Music is practicing at school with trompet
Fourth year
Tilburg

Fourth year

The fourth year is all about graduation and preparing for a career in the music industry. You create a solo performance where you showcase your talent and what kind of musical artist you want to be. Next to your graduation project, you have subjects in entrepreneurship and you choose electives.

Student experiences

The focus on song acting appealed to me because I want to tell a story

Ilse

Student year 4

I wanted to sing and perform on stage, and here at Fontys there is a lot of focus on the performing part. We have quite a few acting lessons each week and song acting to combine singing and acting. This really attracted me because, for me, singing is about telling stories to your audience and conveying something. So, just singing technique was not enough for me.We have chamber music projects where we work with other students and instruments. There are project weeks where you collaborate, sometimes with other art programmes, exploring and developing themes. Jazz students and people from the Music in Education programme often hang out at Paradox, and we singers also spend a lot of time together outside of school. On Fridays, we sometimes go for drinks with students and teachers after class.

Photo credits: Rens Bressers Fotografie
Deadline: March 30 (non-EEA) & May 11 (EEA) 2026

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Go over the entire admission process.

Music - Conservatory of Music Tilburg

Admission timeline

Wondering what's to come after applying for this programme? Check out the entire admission process.

Start in September

  • Start your orientation

    Have you attended a study orientation event already?

    Take a look at our orientation events

  • Register

    Register for this programme via Studielink.

    Studielink

  • Admission assessment

    For this programme, you will first complete an assessment. More information can be found under Requirements & application.

    Please note: You can only be admitted once you have successfully completed this.

  • Complete your payment

    The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation.

    Everything about finances

  • Arrange student housing

    Fontys can offer housing for a limited number of international students. Fill in the housing application form before the deadline (15 June).

    More info about housing

  • End of August

    Get to know Fontys and your fellow students during Purple Introduction week.

    Take a look at your introduction programme

  • 1 September 2026

    Start study programme

Do you have a question?

We are happy to help.

Ask Fontys Tilburg your questions

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Call: +31885077744
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