Music - Music and Performing Arts
- 4 year(s)
- English
- Bachelor
- Full-time
Get to know us
- Open days
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Dare to be different!
Whether you want to become a specialist on your instrument, a musician who wants to make theatre or a composer who wants to perform: together we find a path that suits you and in which you develop your dreams and talents. At our Conservatory of Music, we take you into the boundless world of art and music, all to be found under one roof in Tilburg. Here you will develop into a unique and agile artist, ready for a world in motion.
About Music and Performing Arts
Music and Performing Arts (formerly known as AMPA) offers an ambitious and innovative Conservatory of Music programme. Our vision is based on the idea that your individual musical development into a top musician can only flourish through practice. We encourage you, together with our teachers, your fellow students and the professional field, to develop new visions of musical artistry. Our top teachers are right in the middle of the field and will coach you to further develop your talent.
What do we offer
- You will be intensively coached by your main subject, ensemble, theory, and research teachers and taught by experts in the field of creative skills, personal development and entrepreneurship.
- You will work with various artists, venues and disciplines, and have access to state of the art developments.
- An enthusiastic team of teachers who have earned their spurs in the field and know exactly what you need.
- A creative learning environment that offers plenty of room for your own initiative.
- An artistic environment with 10 art-bachelor programmes, and 6 master programmes under one roof!
What are you going to learn?
Fontys Music & Performing Arts is designed to break traditional barriers and equip students with the skills needed to be musical artists in a rapidly evolving world. It aims to empower you with the ability to collaborate seamlessly with other art forms, pushing boundaries of creativity and expression. By fostering a comprehensive education, our graduates secure prominent positions in the ever-evolving job market. Our alumni not only pursue careers as musicians in chamber choirs but also venture into teaching, orchestral performances, project management, recording, and beyond.
Programme video Music and Performing Arts
Programme
You will follow at least 3 hours of instrument classes a week: individual lessons, group lessons, technique, and ensemble. At the same time, you will learn how to reflect on your own development and that of others.
In the ensemble and chamber music trajectories, team teaching is at the heart of the programme. You will become inspired by various teachers in a dynamic and collaborative context. Alongside this, you will participate in projects and masterclasses, work with ensembles in residence and partners in the region, and audition for our concert series. Your curriculum will be supported by knowledge of music theory, music history, cultural theory, research, entrepreneurship, interdisciplinary courses and other electives (such as conducting, philosophy, and teaching skills).
Tailored to your needs
You are able to design a large part of your trajectory yourself. We believe that education is best when tailored to a student’s needs and prefer to shape it through their interests, qualities and preferences. A professional team of mentors will guide you to make the right choices. You not only become excellent musicians who can connect to the existing music field, but we also educate you to become frontrunners who inspire and change the current state of the art. Our internationally renowned professors, an excellent team of mentors, and a number of high-profile ensembles in residence will bring your artistry to a higher level!
Departments
Other trajectories
Sara WijlaarsClassical Voice and Performance prepares students to be professional classical singers. Third-year student Sara would like to perform in professional opera productions after graduation.
A week at our Music Academy
At Music and Performing Arts, you have a 5-day study week from Monday to Friday. In the morning, courses on music theory, music history, cultural theory, entrepreneurship and artistic research are offered. In the afternoon, the instrument lessons (individual, group lessons, technique, complementary instrument) and ensemble lessons take place. You also have time to study in the afternoon.
Also, we host concerts on stage, trying out concerts, jazz sessions, masterclasses etc., together with our local partners or at the academy. On top of this, we host 2 project weeks per year together with our partners in the field.
The total study load takes up to 40 hours per week.
- Develop basic skills in instrument (technique and interpretation), music theory, history, cultural history and research.
- Ensemble lessons: core ensemble & project ensembles.
- Co-creation: work together with other art-disciplines.
- Projects, project-weeks and masterclasses.
- Additional piano lessons.
- Classical singers have an additional trajectory in languages (French, IPA, German, Italian).
- Classical & jazz singers have an additional trajectory in drama (actor training, theatrical improvisation).
- Richer and more profound lessons in instrument, music theory, history, cultural history and research.
- Ensemble lessons: core ensemble & project ensembles.
- Two introductory modules (to select out of 7): concerning conducting, teaching, composing & studio.
- Co-creation: work together with other art-disciplines.
- Project(week)s and masterclasses.
- Additional instrument lessons.
- Classical singers have an additional trajectory in languages (French, IPA, German, Italian).
- Classical & jazz singers have an additional trajectory in drama (actor training, theatrical improvisation).
- Instrument and ensemble continues.
- Entrepreneurship course.
- Co-creation: work together with other art-disciplines.
- Projects and masterclasses.
- Free Choice (30 out of 60EC): you can design your own trajectory.
- Focus on final exam.
- Electives (15EC).
- Entrepreneurship course.
- Projects, project weeks and masterclasses.
Career opportunities
We aim to train you to become a top qualified artist. In today’s networked societies, crucial skills for people, and therefore for artists, include being able to communicate and to create and maintain a good network. These are prerequisites for allowing your creativity to blossom.
- Performing in traditional concert venues and festivals with small ensembles.
- Teaching in music schools or private practices.
- Participating in interdisciplinary performances with Dance, Circus, Theatre or performing in unconventional spaces like outdoor, prisons, elderly homes, refugee shelters, etc.
- Working as a project manager, policy maker in the artistic sector.
- Working as a session musician and recording business.
I really got to develop and grow into the musician I am now."Sanne Rambags, alumnus
Requirements
English language proficiency
English language proficiency
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
English language proficiency
English language proficiency
Visa
As a non-EU/EEA student, the Netherlands will require an Entry Visa* (MVV) and a Residence Permit. Fontys will apply on behalf of its students for these documents. We recommend you start the process early, i.e. approximately three months before you plan to enter the Netherlands.
*except nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, South Korea, the USA and Vatican City State.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diploma’s:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Language requirements for Dutch students
For the English taught programmes, the minimum English language proficiency required. As an applicant with a Dutch MBO-4, HAVO- or VWO-diploma you can be exempted from submitting the language proficiency test.
Diploma requirements
As a prospective Bachelor's student you must have a diploma of higher secondary education that is equivalent to Dutch standards.
For Dutch students: VWO-, HAVO- or MBO 4-diploma (your diploma will be verified via Studielink)
Non-Dutch students: once admitted after the audition you will be asked to send a certified copy of your original diploma and grades list of your high school diploma, so Fontys can evaluate these. Minimum level of foreign diplomas:
* Belgium: Diploma van Secundair Onderwijs with a transcript (after 7 years BSO or after 6 years ASO/TSO/KSO).
* Germany: Fachhochschulreife or Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife.
* France: Baccalaureat
* Other nationalities: check if your diploma will be sufficient through this Nuffic website.
NOTE: you do not need to apply for a diploma evaluation with Nuffic yourself. Fontys will arrange this and you will be informed about it.
The diploma evaluation may take 2 weeks.
Costs
The tuition fees indicator helps you to determine the tuition rate for your situation. The information and tuition rates from this indicator are without engagement.
go to tuition fees indicator 2025-2026 go to tuition fees indicator 2024-2025
Statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees
A distinction is made between statutory tuition fees and institutional tuition fees. Only if you satisfy all statutory requirements regarding your nationality and if you have not yet been awarded a degree, will you be eligible for statutory tuition fees. Via the tuition fees indicator, you can secure an indication of the type of tuition fees that will be applicable in your situation. To do so, please make use of the indicator above.
Distinctions are made between the following types of Institutional Tuition Fees:
- Low institutional tuition fees
- High institutional tuition fees
Different types of tuition fees and Exemption Regulations
These different types of tuition fees and the Exemption Regulations are fully detailed in the:
The amount to be paid may vary in accordance with the following situations:
- If you have enrolled in more than one course programme (at Fontys and/or elsewhere), it is possible that you may only be obliged to pay one set of statutory tuition fees.
- If you believe that you may be eligible to pay only the statutory tuition fees on the basis of information that may be unknown to us, please report this to your Course Department.
- If it later transpires that you do not meet the requirements for statutory tuition fees, you will be obliged to pay the (higher) institutional tuition fees and if this is the case, you will be notified accordingly.
Paying in instalments
Collection will occur in a maximum of ten equal instalments on or around the 26th of the month. Depending upon the processing time required after your enrolment, the direct debit may need to be moved to the following month. If so, the amount outstanding will then be divided and added to the remaining instalments to be executed until and including the June instalment.
If paying the full sum in a single payment
If you commence your studies on 1 September, the direct debit pertaining to your Tuition Fees will be executed on or around 25 September. If you commence your studies after 1 September, the direct debit will be executed on or around the 26th of the month in which you commence your studies.
Non-EU students
Incoming non-EU students will receive a payment letter from their study department, which must be paid before the deadline. In the following academic years, payment can be made by direct debit.
Non-SEPA
If you have a Bank account number of which the bank is not situated in one of the SEPA countries, and you are a national of a country outside the EEA without an address in The Netherlands, then you will receive a payment letter from Fontys via your course department.
The Dutch currency unit is the Euro (i.e. abbreviated to ‘EUR’ or ‘€’).
The average living expenses per month for a foreign student living and studying in Holland are between EUR 1,100 and EUR 1,500 per month. These living expenses cover rent, insurance, food, public transportation, books, clothing and other general costs.
Dutch Immigration Service (IND) requires non-EEA students to proof they have access to € 14.641 per year (€ 7.320 per semester)
Costs within the first months upon arrival will be higher than all other months due to a housing deposit, intro week and books. Study books are usually bought at the start of the semester and therefore it is wise to reserve and have direct access to an amount at the start of the semester which can cover the price of all study books and the living expenses for the first two months.
Before starting your study at Fontys, you must find suitable housing. Unfortunately, it is not easy for international students to find accommodation in the Netherlands due to the housing crisis. Start your accommodation search early. Please be aware that finding a place to live is your own responsibility. However, we are happy to assist in any way we can.
More information about accommodationHow to apply
All applications for our programmes have to be conducted via www.studielink.nl. Studielink is an online portal that allows applicants to apply and maintain their registration whenever they want to.
How to apply for admission at Fontys Academy of the ArtsThe application process may differ for EU and Non-EU students, please read below what applies for you.
Admission Support
Do you have any questions regarding the audition process, Portal Plus or anything else? Do not hesitate to call us or send us an e-mail. We are here to help!
- To take part in the audition you first have to apply. See the link "How to apply for admission" above what the 2 steps are for application.
- You can apply from the 1st of November 2024
- Make sure you apply in time! If you are accepted early on you can start looking for a room, your place is guaranteed and you don't have to be on a waiting list, you will receive all the information on time, you can already participate in activities, you can already make contact with the teachers etc.
- The preselection of the audition will take place online
After completing the 2 steps to apply for admission you will receive a link to your personal file where you will find the audition assignment and where you can upload your material. It will take a couple of days to proceed through all the steps, so make sure you start in time.
Read the Audition Requirements per profile under "Programme".
The deadline to upload your material is either the 2nd of February, the 30th of March or the 11th of May (the last one is not accessible for Non-EEA candidates because of the Visa procedure). There are 3 audition periods, these are not different rounds, you only participate in one!
- After the preselection only selected candidates will advance to the live audition (for candidates living in the Netherlands/ Belgium) or to the online interview (for candidates living in other countries)
The auditions will take place in the following weeks:
24-28 February 2025
22-25 April 2025
2-6 June 2025 (not accessible for Non-EEA candidates because of the Visa procedure).
You will receive information about the exact date and time of the live audition or online interview by email.
Part of the audition proces is a theory test. Read more about the theory test via the button below.
Information Theory Test
If you are admitted, the student administration will send you an email about your enrolment and will ask you to send your diploma / degree certificate.
Deadline
The deadline to subscribe for EEA candidates is July 1, but mind you: the audition deadlines are before this date. The deadline to subscribe for non-EEA candidates is April 1, but mind you: the audition deadlines are before this date.
Advice
The longer you wait with your application and enrollment, the harder it will be to find a room in Tilburg. Tilburg is a real student city, so from July/August, it isn't easy to find a room.
Agenda
Sign up for one of our events. There's no better way to find out if this study programme is right for you! Visit a webinar from the comfort of your home or meet us live on campus. Whichever you choose, we hope to meet you soon.
Open day Music - Music and Performing Arts | Tilburg
26 Jan 2025
Programme
Open day Music - Music and Performing Arts | Tilburg
26 Jan 2025
Programme
Thank you for signing up for our Open Day!
While much of the information about our programmes can be found online, nothing compares to feeling the creative energy in our building, meeting the inspiring students and teachers, and experiencing the programme in person.
Programme Conservatory - Music and Performing Arts
12.30-15.00 Meet & Greet (Dutch/English) A0.hall
13.00-15.00 Workshops, classes and information Jazz (various instruments) A0.11-A0.14
13.00-15.00 Open lessons and consultation lessons Classical (various instruments) Hall A3/A4
13.00-15.00 Introduction to Composition (ongoing) B1.21
13.00-13.20 Introduction to Preparatory Programme (Vooropleiding) B1.13
13.20-13.40 Introduction Young Musicians Academy (YMA) B1.13
13.30-14.00 Theory Classes: Jazz B1.19
13.30-14.00 Theory classes: Classical B1.17
14.00-14.45 Introduction (Dutch/English) Bachelor and Master A0.16
Fontys Academy of the Arts (for all programmes)
Presentation Fontys Academy of the Arts by René Bosma (dean) Collegezaal A2.01
(13.15-13.45 / 14.00-14.30)
All afternoon
Impresariaat Kunsten (turn your creativity into cash) B1.15
Curiosity café (place for experiment) Witte Villa
Working places: feel free to walk in
Mime Entrance 2
Kunstbende Entrance 2
Play me Piano C1
Performances by students ‘t Cenakel
Below, you’ll find the available time slots and the continuous programme from start to finish. After your scheduled time, feel free to continue exploring the Fontys Academy of the Arts at your own pace, soak in the atmosphere, and get a true sense of what it’s like to study here.
During the open day we serve free coffee and tea; preferably in your own mug that you bring from home.
Floor plan Fontys Academy of the Arts
Open Day
March 22, 2025
Programme
Open Day
March 22, 2025
Programme
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