classical music

Making music is at the very heart of our education program. Whether the students’ major discipline is creating, performing or producing classical music, pop, jazz, making musical instruments, or any combination of these disciplines, technical skills (instrumental technique, soft- and hardware, craftmanship) and creative skills (composition, improvisation, design) are of the utmost importance, supported by solid theoretical foundations (music theory, human and natural sciences). In addition to the skill set, we cultivate the so-called curating mindset: a prosperous artistic practice requires a researching mind, continual critical reflection, and an entrepreneurial spirit.

Making music requires playing together, with or in front of an audience. Even when a student is pursuing a solo career, we believe that musical collaboration in various contexts is key. To this end we offer and stimulate various ensemble practices, e.g. (big)band, chamber ensemble, choir, studio recording sessions, orchestra, creative labs and interdisciplinary collectives. Students need to be able to present often and have their work confronted with peers and audiences, from experimental creations in the safe environment of the school’s premises, over musical instrument exhibitions and try-outs, to official concerts in public venues on and off campus.

Making music is a relational practice, where a musician as well as a musical instrument maker connects with a complex and intertwined ecosystem of colleagues, stakeholders, and audiences. Throughout our education program, we underscore and facilitate networking in expanding circles: from self-care and self-reliance, over creating collaborative networks with other artists and cultural organizations, up to a critical and socially engaged attitude to the global world we live in.

At the heart of the programme is musical practice. First and foremost, you will learn to make music, both as a soloist and in chamber music and in opera and orchestral productions (e.g. together with professional musicians from the Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen and B'Rock Orchestra). 

The presence of both a master in (historical) instrument building and a lively composition class contribute to an open climate where creative collaboration knows no bounds. A varied range of theoretical frameworks across artistic disciplines forms you into an excellently informed musician for whom creating and performing are inseparable. 

Together with a large group of international students in our English master's programme, you will exchange experiences on a daily basis. This happens both in the basic programme and in the European 'International master in composition for screen' (InMICS, with the conservatories of Lyon, Bologna and Montreal) and the unique master after master in contemporary music in cooperation with Ictus and SPECTRA. 

Within the fertile hotbed that KASK & Conservatorium forms as one school of arts, classical musicians continue to collaborate with jazz and pop musicians, film and theatre makers, visual artists, designers... In the many cross-pollinations that characterise the contemporary field.
The educational master's in music and performing arts prepares students to pass the torch, both within education and in socio-artistic projects.

With all this, KASK & Conservatorium shows, opens and develops with students a range of possible paths and encourages them to find their own voice in personal projects, ready for the world.

KASK & Conservatorium offers English-language master programmes in the visual arts, audiovisual arts, drama and music. Each year, dozens of foreign students choose the master programmes of our faculty to continue their studies. The presence of students from different international backgrounds is an enrichment for our educational tradition and provides an added value to the training of foreign master students and Flemish students moving on from the Dutch-language bachelor programmes alike.

The programmes are organized so as to facilitate encounters between Dutch-speaking and English-speaking students in informal contexts, in seminars and courses, and even in artistic projects they start up together. There are no differences in curricula, competencies, learning outcomes or organization between the English-language programmes and their Dutch-language counterparts. English-speaking candidates holding a master’s degree in music can also go in for the advanced master contemporary music or one of our postgraduate programmes.

Don’t hesitate to contact the study and learning track counsellors with your questions.