Band & Performing

 Band
From the first year until your last you will be rehearsing and performing in various bands. Starting with the First Year Band we cover the basics in ensemble playing in jazz. We focus on stylistic bands (e.g. Latin Ensemble, Fusion Ensemble, Bebop Ensemble) to learn the traditions in the later years. In the meantime you have to opportunity to form individual bands to present your own material, still with regular coaching from our band teachers.  
During our bandweeks (twice a year) we invite guest teachers and celebrate with public performances.

Big Band
Our Conservatorium Maastricht Jazz Big Band is the best place to learn about this unique formation. We do multiple projects a year, covering both the classic repertoire as writing new together with our composition department. Last years we have had the pleasure to invite a.o.: John Clayton, Michael Mosman, Bert Joris, Dennis Mackrel.
At least 5 performances a year are made possible at venues in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. 

Fringe Orchestra
Together with award-winning composer Jesse Passenier (Metropole Orchestra, WDR Big Band), our composing/arranging teacher, we have formed the Fringe Orchestra. We believe ‘jazz’ is not a single genre, but an attitude that embraces all musical genres. Together with local festivals and upcoming artists we move towards a different fringe of a genre with every new project.
Fringe Orchestra was officially launched in 2019 with ‘The Science of Groove’ feat. Bex Burch (Vula Viel), DJ Vindictiv & Carlo Nardozza with performances at Music Meeting Festival and North Sea Jazz Festival.

Stage presence
Guest workshops during our bandweek focus on your stage presence. Together with a professional acting coach we create a safe environment to improve how you present yourself and your music, to ensure you will captivate the audience’s attention.

 Interdisciplinary projects
In Maastricht there are multiple art departments, from theater to multi-media design. We are happy to regularly be invited in partner projects, providing live music with a show, or collaborating to create a unique experience. 

 Festivals / Concerts
We focus on putting our musicians on the stand from their first year they are here. During the year there are multiple opportunities to present yourself. 
We have Instrument/Vocal Nights for specific student groups, Band Nights for our school ensembles, our yearly Jazz Night where we go all-out with a free festival for the city, our Graduation Jazz Festival presenting all final performances, and last-but-not-least weekly jam sessions throughout the city including our main subject teachers. 

With our Booking Agency and faculty we are in touch with many different venues and festivals in the area, creating possibilities for our best students to perform. Last years our students were invited to a.o. jazzOUT! Heerlen, North Sea Jazz Festival, Music Meeting Festival, Make It Jazz Tilburg, Injazz Showcases, Jazz in Duketown, Yellowtime, Eu Jazz Night Maastricht, CC Muze, Brussels Jazz Weekend, Düsseldorfer Jazz Rally.