Art of Sound

Due to the regulations about the COVID-19 outbreak, the Art of Sound entrance exams at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague will take place in an adapted form this year. All exams will take place online to avoid international travels and physical meetings. The modified procedure looks like this:

  1. Music theory test (online) at the latest on February 28 2023.
  2. Mathematics test (online) February 28 2023, 02:00 - 16:00 CET
  3. Aural exam; this part is cancelled.
  4. Musical skills test (by video) at the latest on February 28, 2023
  5. Motivation interview (online) in week of April 17th 2023: dates will be announced as soon as possible.

You will only be invited to the motivation interview if you have completed tests 1 to 4 with a positive result. You will be informed by e-mail before April 3 2023, at 21:00 CET.

1. Music Theory test
The Music Theory test takes place online and is available online until February 28, 2023. Here you can find more info about the theory exam. Contact the theory department for any further questions.

2. Mathematics test
The mathematics test will take place on February 28, 2023. Soon you will receive a link per email, at your email address as known to us. Contact us if you did not receive this link before February 28, 2023.

This link will only give you access to the online math test on February 28 at 02:00 - 16:00 CET. From the moment you click on the link you have 90 minutes to complete the test, so start the test no later than 14:30 CET. Make sure you are ready within 90 minutes and click "submit". The submit button appears at the end of the test. You are expected to keep an eye on the elapsed time yourself, you will not receive a warning. Contributions that exceed this time limit, or are submitted after 16:00 CET, are by definition assessed negative. Once you clicked "submit", your answers have been sent and you can no longer correct your answers.

Summarizing:

  • You will receive a link to the online mathematics test before February 28, 2023
  • Contact us if you have not received the link on February 27, 2023
  • You will have access to the test on February 28 at 02:00 - 16:00 CET
  • You have up to 90 minutes to complete the test
  • Start the test no later than 14:30 CET
  • Submit the test before 16:00 CET
  • Once the test has been submitted, you can no longer correct your answers.

You can find an example of the example mathematics test here.
3. Aural test
This part is canceled.

4. Musical ability test
The musical ability test does not take place in person, but via a pre-recorded and submitted video. The following regulations must be observed when recording and submitting the video:

The following regulations must be observed when recording and submitting the video:

  • The recording (video and audio) is recorded in one take, is not edited and no post-production has taken place;
  • The video shows the candidate's face and hands clearly and continuously;
  • A high level of audio quality is not necessary, but the audio quality must be good enough to hear your playing or singing clearly;
  • Before you start playing or singing, clearly state your full name and the program for which you are auditioning (Art of Sound Bachelor);
  • Before each piece, announce the title and composer of the piece;
  • You play 3 compositions in different musical styles and tempi;
  • The maximum duration of the video is 15 minutes;
  • Classical admission: you play solo, without the accompaniment of other musicians;
  • Jazz / Pop admission: you play with one or more accompanists, but you ensure that you are most clearly audible and visible. You may optionally use a pre-recorded play-along sound file ("minus-one").

Videos that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted. The video must be handed at the latest on February 28, 2023. Upload your video (in Word- of PDF format) with an active link (hyperlink) to your video recording on YouTube of Vimeo in our online application Osiris Aanmeld.

Tips for recording your video:

  • You can record the video with any smartphone, but using a good camera and (external) microphone will lead to better image quality and sound quality.
  • Provide a quiet environment (no buzzing refrigerator or rushing traffic as background noise).
  • Provide sufficient light when recording; light from multiple sides works best.
  • Make sure the audio is not too loud (distorted) and not too soft (a lot of noise); move the microphone or your recording device closer or farther to achieve the desired result.

5. Motivation talk
The motivation talk only takes place if you have successfully passed the previous tests. At the latest on April 3 2023 before 21:00 CET, you will receive an email message informing you whether you are invited for the motivation talk.

If you have failed the previous tests, you will unfortunately receive a message that you have not been accepted.

If you have successfully passed the previous tests, you will be invited to the motivation interview by email. All motivation interviews take place online on during the week of April 17th 2023. The email message contains the exact date and time (CET) of the motivation interview. At this time you need to have a working internet connection in a quiet environment, without other people being present. Make sure you are ready on time.

The motivation interview will take place online via the Microsoft Teams platform. You can download the free Microsoft Teams app here. Make sure you have installed the app well before the start of the conversation. Optionally, the interview can also be conducted via one of the following web browsers: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or the latest version of Firefox. Apple users, please notice: Microsoft Teams does not work in Safari, you have to download the app or use one of the beforementioned web browsers. Make sure you are well prepared; if the interview cannot take place for technical reasons, this may have negative consequences for your admission.

On the day of the motivation interview, you will receive an invitation via email, 15 minutes before the announced time. One of our employees will test the audio and video connection with you. Then you have to wait until the committee is available and joins the conversation.

The motivation interview will take about 10 minutes. Three jury members take part in the conversation, who ask questions about your ideas about the education program and what you want to achieve with it. Provide spontaneous and honest answers. No ready knowledge will be tested during the interview, it is purely about your motivation.

Summarizing:

  • On April 3 2023, before 21:00 CET, you will be notified whether you have been invited to the motivation interview, including the exact date and time of the interview.
  • Make sure you have the Microsoft Teams app installed.
  • Make sure you are ready on time and that your internet connection works.
  • Make sure you are alone, in a quiet environment.
  • An email will be sent to you 15 minutes before the announced time of the interview. The email contains an invitation (link) for taking part in a conference call via Microsoft Teams.
  • Accept the invitation; there will follow a short test with one of our employees.
  • The motivation interview can start as soon as the committee is available.

6. After the entrance examination
The results of the entrance examination will be communicated by e-mail within two weeks after the motivation talk. In principle, the board of the Royal Conservatoire will adopt the advice of the admission committee, but reserves the right to deviate from this. As soon as possible, but no later than August 31, 2023, you will receive an official notification of your admission from the board of the Royal Conservatoire.

7. Cancelations
If you refrain from your application for registration and the entrance exam, please notify us as soon as possible via Studielink. Then your place for the entrance exams can still be allocated to another candidate who is now on the waiting list.

8. In conclusion
We wish you the best of luck with the preparations and look forward to meeting you online soon. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact us at p.jeukendrup@koncon.nl.

Due to the regulations about the COVID-19 outbreak, the Art of Sound entrance exams at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague will take place in an adapted form this year. All exams will take place online to avoid international travels and physical meetings. The modified procedure looks like this:

  1. The Musical ability test does not take place live, but must be submitted by the candidate on video (image and sound) at the latest on 28th of February 2023. See below for details. Note: This part does not apply to candidates who have completed a Bachelor program Art of Sound at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.
  2. Your portfolio and your master plan as you submitted it will be assessed by a committee and discussed with you during the motivation interview.
  3. Motivation interview: the discussion of the master plan and portfolio (max. 30 minutes per candidate) will take place online during the week of April 17th 2023. Make sure you are available on these dates.

You will only be invited to the motivation interview if your portfolio and your master plan have been approved and if you have successfully passed the musical ability test. Candidates will receive an invitation no later than April 3 2023, 21.00 CET.

1. Musical ability test

The musical ability test does not take place in person, but via a pre-recorded and submitted video. The following regulations must be observed when recording and submitting the video:

The following regulations must be observed when recording and submitting the video:

  • The recording (video and audio) is recorded in one take, it is not edited and no post-production has taken place;
  • The video shows the candidate's face and hands clearly and continuously;
  • A high level of audio quality is not necessary, but the audio quality must be good enough to hear your playing or singing clearly;
  • Before you start playing or singing, clearly state your full name and the program for which you are auditioning (Art of Sound Master);
  • Before each piece, announce the title and composer of the piece;
  • You play 3 compositions in different musical styles and tempi;
  • The maximum duration of the video is 15 minutes;
  • Classical admission: you play solo, without the accompaniment of other musicians;
  • Jazz / Pop admission: you play with one or more accompanists, but you ensure that you are most clearly audible and visible. You may optionally use a pre-recorded play-along sound file ("minus-one").

Videos that do not meet these requirements will not be accepted. The video must be handed in at the latest on February 28th 2023. Upload your video (in Word- or PDF format) with an active link (hyperlink) to your video recording on YouTube of Vimeo in our online application Osiris Aanmeld.

Tips for recording your video:

  • You can record the video with any smartphone, but using a good camera and (external) microphone will lead to better image quality and sound quality;
  • Provide a quiet environment (no buzzing refrigerator or rushing traffic as background noise);
  • Provide sufficient light when recording; light from multiple sides works best;
  • Make sure the audio is not too loud (distorted) and not too soft (a lot of noise); move the microphone or your recording device closer or farther to achieve the desired result;

2. Motivation talk
The motivation interview only takes place if your portfolio and your master plan have been approved and if you have successfully passed the musical ability test.

If your portfolio and your master plan have been approved, you will receive an email at the latest on April 3 21.00 CET, saying that you have been invited to the motivation interview. All motivation interviews take place online during the week of April 17th 2023. The email message contains the exact date and time (CET) of the motivation interview. At this time you need to have a working internet connection in a quiet environment, without other people being present. Make sure you are ready and prepared on time.

The motivation interview will take place online via the Microsoft Teams platform. You can download the free Microsoft Teams app here. Make sure you have installed the app well before the start of the conversation. Optionally, the interview can also be conducted via one of the following web browsers: Internet Explorer 11, Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or the latest version of Firefox. Apple users, please notice: Microsoft Teams does not work in Safari, you have to download the app or use one of the before mentioned web browsers. Make sure you are well prepared; if the interview cannot take place for technical reasons, this may have negative consequences for your admission.

On the day of the motivation interview, you will receive an invitation via email, 15 minutes before the announced time. One of our employees will test the audio and video connection with you. Then you have to wait until the committee is available and joins the conversation.

The motivation interview will last a maximum of 30 minutes. Three jury members take part in the conversation, who ask questions about your ideas about the program and what you want to achieve with it. Your portfolio and your master plan will also be discussed with you. Provide spontaneous and honest answers, that works best.

Summarizing:

  • On April 3 before 21.00 CET, you will be notified whether you have been invited to the motivation interview, including the exact date and time of the interview.
  • Make sure you have the Microsoft Teams app installed.
  • Make sure you are ready on time and that your internet connection works.
  • Make sure you are alone, in a quiet environment.
  • An email will be sent to you 15 minutes before the announced time of the interview. The email contains an invitation (link) for taking part in a conference call via Microsoft Teams.
  • Accept the invitation; there will follow a short test with one of our employees.
  • The motivation interview can start as soon as the committee is available.

3. After the entrance examination
The results of the entrance examination will be communicated by e-mail within two weeks after the motivation talk. In principle, the board of the Royal Conservatoire will adopt the advice of the admission committee, but reserves the right to deviate from this. As soon as possible, but no later than August 31, 2023, you will receive an official notification of your admission from the board of the Royal Conservatoire.

4. Cancelations
If you refrain from your application for registration and the entrance exam, please notify us as soon as possible via Studielink. Then your place for the entrance exams can still be allocated to another candidate who is now on the waiting list.

5. In conclusion
We wish you the best of luck with the preparations and look forward to meeting you online soon. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Paul Jeukendrup at p.jeukendrup@koncon.nl.