The questionnaire gauges your (broad) interests and motivation. It also includes a link to three videos that can be accessed online (Youtube, Facebook, Soundcloud,...), in which you show the best of yourself. Make sure you and your instrument are well portrayed. As a guideline time for the total duration of the three songs, we give 15 minutes (preferably accompanied by other musician).

You perform at least 1 song. This can be your own song, a composition, a personal adaptation of an existing song, a loop on which you improvise, ... In addition to the necessary technical skills, pay sufficient attention to individuality, creativity and originality.

This test can be completed in various creative ways. This is a list for inspiration, you can combine several aspects.

• get inspired by the lyrics, rework or translate the lyrics.
• rework a song
• reharmonise a song
• use samples
• reference certain sounds or use instruments
• ...

It may be a completely new song, inspired by the theme, or it may be a reworking of an existing song or composition.

As an additional appendix to the portfolio, we ask the candidate to do a creative test in an imposed theme. This is therefore an (additional) fourth issue/recording.

Theme test 2024: Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell is one of the most influential and original singer-songwriters of all time, shaping 20th century pop and jazz through timeless songs, productions and unique collaborations. Draw inspiration from her vast body of work and countless projects, and surprise us with a quirky approach. Avoid "straight covers" and work with musical parameters such as chord progressions, lyrics, arrangement and sound. Process them in an original way to create a thematic experiment in which you combine your technical skills, creative abilities and your own personality to create a completely new song, a rework, a reinterpretation,... .

Add as pdf a report in which you briefly explain the creative process (max 1 page).
Briefly explain how you incorporated the theme into the assignment.

You will prepare 4 pieces. Prepared pieces may also be performed solo or with backing track.

• Pop candidates bring their own accompaniment band, consisting of up to 4 people. 
• Jazz candidates may also do so, but for jazz candidates, a backing band/rhythm section will also be provided as standard, if desired. 

Candidates and accompanists bring their own instruments. Pianos, amplifiers and a mini-jack connection are available.

The four pieces include:

• One piece of your own (preferably one other than the one in Phase 1): this can be your own song, a composition, a musical idea, a personal adaptation of an existing song, a loop on which to improvise, you can use other instruments, or tools, etc.... Unleash your creativity here.
• Two existing pop songs or jazz standards ( + improvisation ), depending on your choice of study direction. We ask you to choose two pieces in different tempos, time signatures, keys and feel.
• One compulsory piece: you will also receive an assignment when a positive result of the digital portfolio (phase 1) is announced. This involves a compulsory song that you will have to perform with backing track. This song will differ per instrument.
• In addition, the candidate will also play 1 sight reading. This involves a simple excerpt (a score/ leadsheet with possible accompaniment and improvisation) that you will be given just before the audition. During this test, you will demonstrate your artistic and technical level in the most versatile way possible.

Besides the "core business" on the instrument, the admission tests also test your creative and musical contribution in a ensemble playing context. You will play music for 45 minutes together with several prospective students in band formation and under the guidance of a teacher. The result is of secondary importance to the process, which focuses on individuality, personal contribution, communication and mutual reflection. This test requires no specific preparation.

During an individual interview, your motivation towards an art programme in general and the specific programme in particular will be examined. The digital portfolio, the completed questionnaire and the tests already taken in phase 2 form a guideline for the motivation interview. It is important that you can explain your own choices and clarify your study choices and expectations.

Interests, general and cultural knowledge, thinking skills, creative attitude, insights and communication skills will be assessed, as well as practical matters such as your availability for full-time music training, your intended commitment and involvement, communication skills ...

Recognising and noting:

• composition and preliminary notation of major and minor keys
• all intervals within the octave (major, minor, major, diminished, augmented)
• be able to recognise and write the following root triads: major, minor, diminished and augmented.
• recognise and write the following four-sound root scales: major seven (∆), minor (mi7), half diminished (ø), diminished (o), minor major seven (mi∆), dominant seven (7), dominant seven cross five (7+5), dominant seven mole five (7-5).
• be able to recognise and write these scales: major, minor harmonic, minor melodic, minor antique (Aeolic), major and minor pentatonic
• recognise simple chord progressions by step number and notate them in Roman numerals.

Listen to the fragment mp3

Download the form pdf

Hearing and notation of:

• all intervals within the octave (pure, minor, major, diminished, augmented)
  
• next triads in root position: major, minor, diminished and augmented.
• following four sounds in root position: major seven (∆), minor (mi7), semi-reduced (ø), diminished (o), minor major seven (mi∆), dominant seven (7), dominant seven cross five (7+5), dominant seven mole five (7-5),
• scales below:
  • major
  • harmonic minor
  • melodic minor
  • antique minor (Aeolic)
  • major and minor pentatonic
  • blue scale minor
  • diminished scale
  • all modes from the major scale: lunonic, Doric, Phrygian, Lydian, Mixolydian, Aeolian and Lokric.
• short melodic dictation
• short rhythmic dictation
• short melodic-rhythmic dictation

Download the dictation pdf

• Rhythmic dictation in 4/4 consisting of 4th notes, 8th notes, triplets and 16th notes with their respective rests and possible ties.
• The dictation progresses from basic to advanced over about 16 bars to determine your level group in BA1 or possibly BA2
• Recognise rhythmic patterns and immediately repeat them by ear. The patterns consist of popular claves and/or commonly used 1 or 2-bar patterns within the jazz and pop idiom.
• Some rhythmic reading exercises that you can sing both binary and in swingfeel. You can accompany yourself by clipping on all counts or where possible on 2 and 4.
• A short probe into your ability to phrase a rhythmic motif against the metronome or backing track.

The candidate must provide a written answer to a general question on a current social, cultural and/or artistic issue. The aim is to allow the examination committee to get an idea of the candidate's theoretical prior education, gauge language skills and the ability to formulate an opinion, develop a line of reasoning and edit a short written text.