At the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, you can follow programmes in Dance, Drama, Music and related educational trajectories. Mutual collaborations between these different disciplines shape you into a more profound and mature artist. One who can redefine themselves and who is ready for the challenges of their chosen artistic field. During this unique learning trajectory you receive all the necessary support to fully develop your talent. How do we accomplish this? With the help of a battalion of professional teachers and researchers who have strong connections with dance and theatre companies, famous orchestras or jazz ensembles. Thanks to a broad network of artistic research activities, our students, researchers and teachers practice varied and innovative artistic forms. Critical reflection is important for a young artist-entrepreneur, since it enriches craftsmanship. Through experimentation you develop expertise. And last but not least, our unique art campus offers you the ultimate artistic education. It’s a place where learning, creating and performing go hand in hand. You share the campus with professional, trend-setting ensembles and cultural institutions. This creates a vibrant artistic energy. Our students and teachers regularly showcase their work to the public through performances, presentations and concerts in one of our 72 classrooms or 5 concert halls & theatres. This is the perfect time to get to know our school, people and artistic level.
Your journey Every artist is curious, looks at their work critically and questions themselves and their environment. Your research as an artist is also linked to the evolution of your own artistic practice. This is no different from your education at the Conservatoire. You’re challenged to think about your work. Because your actions and choices are not only impacted by the artists who came before you, but also by the current artistic field and even the broader social context. You gradually learn where to situate your own work in this far-reaching field. You enter into a dialogue with other thinkers and makers. You look for links and hold your creative process to the light. While pursuing your master’s degree at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp, you make more autonomous choices, position your work and substantiate both your trajectory and the choices that you make in words. Once you’ve completed this educational path, you also have the possibility to start a research trajectory at the Conservatoire. A start-up project, a two-year research project or a collaborative project … There is always a path that allows you to investigate your interests and abilities. Whatever your focus and methodology may be: research in the arts is highly diverse and continuously changing. Much like the arts themselves.
Four research groups
You’re in good hands
As a researcher, you are not on your own. The Conservatoire is home to four research groups that vouch for the exchange and enrichment of knowledge and expertise: • Labo XIX-XX: on the music culture in Belgium during the 19th and 20th century • Creation: on interdisciplinary, intercultural and inclusive forms of creation in the performing arts • CORPoREAL: on physicality in the performing arts • Performance Practice in Perspective: on performance practices in the performing arts.
An education in Music, Dance or Drama is no walk in the park. Together with your fellow students, you’ll be challenged mentally and physically to the push the boundaries and give it your all again and again. To support you during this process, the Conservatoire has set up an extensive student counselling system. From a team of involved teachers, solution-oriented coordinators and heads of programme to a wide range of departmental and institution-wide services: our tailored counselling provides an ideal study environment.
Apart from these research groups, you can also tap into the Royal Academy of Fine Arts. Your PhD in the arts is achieved on the basis of an artistic performance, combined with a reflection on the work process. A PhD usually takes between four and six years. During this period, you will be coached by two supervisors: one from the Conservatoire and one from the University of Antwerp.
Since 2008, the Conservatoire has invested heavily in the prevention and treatment of injuries. The research into ‘Prevention and treatment of overload injuries’ has delivered a wealth of relevant information and led to adjustments in our training programmes, preventative screening, increased awareness (with our in-house physio practice) and advice, and improved counselling for students. Furthermore, we have entered into a collaboration with Healthcare for Artists (HeArts). Antwerp HeArts is the multidisciplinary expertise centre for the prevention and treatment of (medical) complaints among artists. It’s run by the Antwerp University Hospital (UZA) and the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (University of Antwerp.) So you’re in good hands.
“It’s the responsibility of the contemporary artist to offer wellfounded and critical performances and concerts to an audience.” Ine Vanoeveren, Artistic researcher, Coordinator research group Creation
MUSIC
Classic & Jazz
Do you dream of pursuing a career in music? Are you yearning to become a professional composer, orchestral musician, soloist, singer, conductor, teacher or arranger? Or do you find your talent is vitalized by playing together with others: as part of a choir, brass band or symphony orchestra? Perhaps your future lies in chamber music, big band, making interdisciplinary productions, setting up your own musical company, or in the broader cultural field? Wherever your strengths may lie, our Music programme offers different approaches that are sure to help you on your individual career path. We help shape professional musicians who have outspoken artistic personalities and take on a critical, entrepreneurial and open-minded approach.
• Academic bachelor and master programmes • Postgraduate programmes The Music programme consists of a three-year academic bachelor’s degree of 180 study points, and a twoyear academic master’s degree of 120 study points. In the bachelor programme, you develop genuine mastery of the basic tools and focus on thorough training in your specific artistic praxis. You also receive supporting courses in music theory, cultural context and physical awareness. In the master’s programme, you use this foundation to further develop your artistic personality to become the professional musician you want to be. You also have the opportunity to zoom in on a specific aspect of the artistic praxis in the form of a postgraduate or teacher training programme.
Your programme gives you the full experience You are coached by teachers who are experts in their fields. They use their musical and creative passion, as well as their insights and knowledge, to cultivate your talent. At the same time, the contact and collaborations with your fellow students from Classical Music, Jazz, Dance and Drama help you develop into a versatile and wellrounded musician. The professional field is never far away. From collaboration projects with professional organisations and internships with the best ensembles, orchestras and choirs, to audition training and coaching from experienced and renowned artists. You rehearse, attend master classes and follow a range of elective courses together. All of this to help you familiarize with and prepare for the life of a professional musician. Throughout your education you expand your professional network and learn about entrepreneurship, working creatively and other elements vital to your journey. This includes attending concerts and performances from international grandmasters that are seamlessly scheduled directly after your classes. Last but not least: our fantastic art campus. Architecturally suited to music, it’s an inspiring biotope where you have access to the best instruments and everything you need to ensure your talent grows.
“ Learning is doing. Learning is seeing how it happens ‘in real life’. This is why we offer our students experiences in real life. ”
Instrument – Vocal / Conducting / Compodition TThe INSTRUMENT – VOCAL specialisation offers you individual training, teaching you different music genres, as well as interdisciplinary, historically informed and/or contemporary performance practice. You are given regular opportunities to gain experience on the stage in solo work, chamber music, ensembles or choir and orchestral productions. This takes place in our own modern concert halls and on large concert stages during co-productions and internships in professional environments. We always start from your own interests, talents, vision and personality as an artist to further develop your talent. The backbone of the programme is formed by our international teaching staff who have a broad range of specialities and styles. CONDUCTING is a highly demanding discipline that requires specific competencies: a thorough knowledge of the repertoire to be performed, insight into complex scores, an excellent ear, refined communication skills, perfect baton technique and a powerful stage presence are all indispensable. The two-year master programme in Conducting teaches you the rehearsal techniques, artistic content and analytical skills you need to develop a conscious interpretation and a suitable plan for performing a programme. You also learn how to bring out the talent of performers, whether they’re part of a choir, an orchestra, a harmony or a brass band. For those already active as a professional conductor, the programme will prove to be a smooth and valuable addition.
The bachelor-master programme in COMPOSITION starts from the position of the contemporary composer, who uses their own musical language in a creative manner to connect with society. The programme curriculum combines traditional mastery of instrumentation and orchestration with free composition forms, electronic music, media music and creative collaborations with dance, drama and image. You can choose from the following profiles: Composer – Composer Composer – Performer Composer – Educator Composer – Media composer
Jazz As a jazz student, you’re coached to become an excellent musician with the knowledge and insight required to find your way in the international field. You learn through tailor-made, practice-oriented education, embedded in the international professional field. Emphasis lies on the development of your artistic personality, the development of craftsmanship and the awakening of your entrepreneurial spirit. The programme stands out through a wide range of projects, performance opportunities and optional subjects; individual coaching of artistic personalities, and the programme’s contacts with renowned, international jazz artists and festivals. You follow a bespoke programme, in which you can pick workshops, projects and optional subjects based on your musical needs and personality. You work together with the teachers of your choice on the development of your artistic personality, craftsmanship and entrepreneurial skills. Thanks to
collaborations with jazz festivals in Belgium and abroad, students enjoy performance opportunities, masterclasses and excellent coaching.
Performance opportunities Thanks to collaborations with deSingel, Bozar, Jazz Middelheim, De Singer, Flagey, Rataplan, Werkplaats Walter, the Bimhuis (Amsterdam), the Jaffa Jazz Festival (Tel Aviv) and Parco della Musica (Rome), you have plenty of opportunities to perform on stage. Through membership with the IASJ (International Association of Schools of Jazz), you may be selected to take part in the international IASJ summer school.
Renowned artists Chris Potter, Ambrose Akinmusire, Jakob Bro, Mark Guiliana, Joey Baron, Joshua Redman and the list goes on … They have all been our guests several times, as lecturers, soloists, coaches or presenters for our master classes.
The PILLARS of the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp Teachers You work with an excellent team of teachers at the Conservatoire. All are experts in their professional field. They encourage you to explore possibilities within a safe environment. One in which you can fall and get up again. This is vital, because you learn the most by doing. They challenge you to push your own limits and question the world around you. With their help, you’ll find your own artistic voice.
International Art crosses borders. And you’ll experience this during your education. The cultural diversity on campus gives the Conservatoire its unique character. With three trajectories in English and almost half of the teachers and students coming from abroad, this is the ideal start for your international career.
Collaboration As a stage artist, you’re not on your own. You’re a creator, as well as an entrepreneur and a bridge builder. You connect with other (artistic) disciplines and target groups. This demands practice, time, an open mind and courage. We offer you every opportunity. With three performing art programmes under one roof, and dozens of collaborations with partners, in-house and further afield, our campus is the ideal environment for co-creation.
Strong graduates A great school can be recognized by its alumni. You‘ll spot ours performing in the international art scene, creating art that redefines performing arts. They set up research projects and start companies, collectives and ensembles. And they win prizes. Their love for art and knowledge works infectiously on new, young talent and devotees. Follow #alumniconservatoriumantwerpen and find out what they are up to.
“ Get to know your future employers. Perform on the best stages. Experience the organised side of the performing arts.”
DRAMA Over the years, the Drama programme has proven to be of substantial influence on the international performing arts, both through its alumni and staff. The curriculum provides three specialisations: • Acting • Music creation and performance art • Media, writing and performance art Each specialisation caters to either potential ensemble players of the world repertoire, or to artists performing work (text and/or music) of their own creation. Please note: the use of the Dutch language makes the curriculum less accessible to students from outside Flanders or the Netherlands.
BACHELOR DANCE The bachelor in Dance covers three years of study and offers a balanced mix of theory and practice, experimentation and learning, research and creation. During your studies you will encounter a variety of contemporary dance techniques and get in touch with choreographers and artists from Belgium and abroad. You are challenged to develop your potential and become a dance artist with a vision and an authentic personality. Intensive dance training, improvisation, composition and choreography help you develop the skills you need as a dance artist in the professional field. Complementary training such as yoga, movement analysis, anatomy and injury prevention will help you understand and use your own body. By offering you a theoretical framework and space for reflection, you will learn to relate to the world and the professional field. Diversity is embraced in all aspects of the programme. You will notice this not only in the variety of styles and approaches. It is also reflected in our feedback and assessment methods.
You will be supervised by teachers who are firmly grounded in the professional field. In addition, a core team of mentors is there to support you in your personal development as a dance artist. The production team also offers you optimal support in the development and realization of your projects
MASTER IN DANCE Embodied Artistic Research (E.A.R.) Embodied Artistic Research (E.A.R.) The Master in Dance at the Royal Conservatoire Antwerp offers dance artists the opportunity to undertake practice-centred research, which is based on and led by the embodied artistic practices each participant brings in. The programme allows for a sustained research trajectory over the course of two years. It provides a structure to develop embodied artistic expertise and knowledge in intensive exchange with peers, coordinators and mentors, with a wider network of collaborators from the field of dance, and in dialogue within different public environments. While the programme focusses on the individual practice and research of each student, it also relates them to current developments in the arts as well as in society.
Educational programmes The divide between art and society is blurring. Artists increasingly work at the intersection of artistic and social-artistic practice. There is also an increase in educational projects in the arts. More and more, artists with pedagogical competencies are asked to question and stretch the boundaries of regular art education. We believe that this dual focus enriches the artist. The Educational master in Music and Performing Arts is based on the vision that mastery in the arts is linked to mastery in education. The Educational Master allows you to keep growing as a musician, dancer or performer, as well as share your passion as a Teaching Artist. Students who choose this programme will specialize in their artistic discipline and build up pedagogical competence simultaneously.
The programme’s framework revolves around the notion of embodied artistic research. Performance and dance practices consist, not only but largely, of embodied practices – practices that work in, through and out of the moving body. When is such embodiment artistic practice? How can we formulate strategies, frames and methods that will allow us to relate the two productively? And at what point during this process can we talk of research? What does artistic research entail, when it is carried out through forms of embodiment? Which translations and other media than the body come into play when rendering artistic practice research? While giving the students time and space to place their own questions within this frame and to insist on them while in dialogue with colleagues, the programme engages the students in different learning and researching settings. These will include colloquia, practical workshops, lectures, symposia, studio time and meetings with communities outside the field of dance
Royal Conservatoire Antwerp Koninklijk Conservatorium Antwerpen AP University of Applied Sciences and Arts Desguinlei, 25 2018 Antwerp Belgium +32 3 244 18 00 conservatorium@ap.be www.royalconservatoireantwerp.be
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