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Master
Composing & Arranging

You have already developed a lot of composing and arranging skills in your Bachelor’s studies. Now you may want to extend your abilities in creating music in various styles, for (large) ensembles in a variety of artistic projects.
This Master’s programme will take you to a high artistic level with broad expertise in composing and arranging music, enabling you to make it (part of) your profession. In addition to the individual lessons with your main subject teacher(s), you are free to choose from a vast array of masterclasses, group lessons in modules or workshops, and you can take up to 50% of your main subject lessons with external teachers.
You will design your own individual study programme in consultation with your main subject teacher, choosing to focus on e.g. the string quartet or big band, or on acquiring knowledge on how to accomplish interdisciplinary projects.

Meet our team

Meet your lecturers

Wolfgang Braun

Jazz Composing, Arranging and Performing / CAP Modules / "Find Your Own Music" coaching

Composer, Arranger, Bandleader, Pianist, Keyboardist and Music Educator Wolfg

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Jesse Passenier

Composing & Arranging / Master Coordinator / Master Research Coach / Fringe Orchestra / Wanted! Composition Lab

Jesse Passenier is a Dutch composer, unifying principles of jazz and classica

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Curriculum

Master Composing & Arranging

Curriculum Master Composing & Arranging

More info

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Main Subject and Components related to the Main Subject

29

24

-

-

Main Subject

29

24

-

-

Band & Performing

6

6

-

-

Band & Performing

6

6

-

-

Recording & Producing

2

2

-

-

Introduction to Studio Recording & Music Production

2

2

-

-

Composing & Arranging

2

2

-

-

Find Your Own Music

2

2

-

-

Tools in Creation

4

4

-

-

Current Jazz

2

2

-

-

Impro Lab

2

2

-

-

Artistic Research

5

10

-

-

Master Research

5

10

-

-

Health & Well-being

1

1

-

-

Health & Well-being

1

1

-

-

International Career Center

3

3

-

-

Music & Society

1

1

-

-

Your Art as a Business

2

2

-

-

Teaching & Outreach Programme

2

2

-

-

Outreach Programme

2

2

-

-

Minor Modules Jazz

6

6

-

-

Elective Modules

6

6

-

-

Before you apply

Admission
requirements

Portfolio

Please upload the portfolio and material on an internet platform (Dropbox, WeTransfer etc) and upload the link to the questionnaire in the Osiris application.

Also send the link and the password to the teachers: wolfgang.braun@zuyd.nl and jesse.passenier@zuyd.nl.

  • A representative selection of your compositions and/or arrangements, as Scores/ Leadsheets (pdf plus Sibelius or xml file) and Recordings (mp3 or wav)
  • Diversity in style (e.g. Jazz, Pop, Rock, Crossover etc.) is not compulsory, but recommended
  • At least one composition and/or arrangement for Large Ensemble (e.g. Big Band, any Symphonic Ensemble, such as Woodwinds & Strings, Ensemble with Choir, etc.) is highly recommended
  • Different smaller sized Line-ups (e.g. for 2-6 Horns & Rhythm Section, Vocals/Choir, Strings/Woodwinds, Mix of Acoustic Instruments and Electronic/Sequencer/Sounds etc.) are recommended
  • • If you have a video or audio recording (ideally video) of your Bachelor Final Exam, please share that with us as well by adding a link to the video to your portfolio.

 

“Live” Audition

Depending on your level, you will be invited for an online meeting with the teachers for an online “live” audition.

During the “live” audition, we will discuss your portfolio and you present us your vision. You should be ready to show your playing skills on your preferred instrument and piano (preferred instrument can of course be piano already). The main subject teachers also may take time to test your ears, as this is the most important tool of a composer! And be ready to do a few exercises with the main subject teachers, including sight reading, comping and improvising. The most important focus, however, will be on the quality of your writing and your vision

The “live” audition should take 20 – 45 minutes.

Master Interview

Finally, after passing the live audition, you will be invited for an interview with the jazz master coordinator to discuss your study and research plans.

The master interview should take 45 – 60 minutes.