Practical experience and collaboration with leading orchestras and ensembles during the program

Practical experience is at the heart of our education. You will be able to take part in a large number of internal and external concerts. In addition to facilitating collaborations with performers from other departments, the program has close ties with professional ensembles such as the Residentie Orchestra, New European Ensemble, HIIIT (formerly known as Slagwerk Den Haag), Asko|Schönberg, Ensemble Klang, Calefax, Kluster5 and with venues and festivals such as the Korzo Theatre, Festival Dag in de Branding, November Music, Gaudeamus, Musica Sacra and the Opera Forward Festival.

Master Project

In the Master of Music program, you have the unique opportunity to create a Master Project with your own future in mind. A Master Project is an overarching term which combines the three domains of our master curriculum: artistic development, research and professional integration. As part of the curriculum, you will receive individual and group lessons in your main subject to aid you in your artistic development, you will conduct research on a topic of your own choice, and you will design and initiate your own professional integration activity. These elements and activities all come together in the Master Project. To help you develop your Master Project successfully, you will receive guidance and support from your main teacher, your research supervisor and from a professional integration coach. Additionally, you will take part in a peer group, in which you can discuss what you are working on. Designing your own Master Project gives you an opportunity to consider your future career and experiment with developing your own professional practice during your studies. When creating your Master Project, you should take into consideration whether it will help you find your place in the professional practice after you have finished your studies. We encourage you to collaborate, and therefore it is possible to do a Master Project together with other students. If you would like to find out more information, have a look at the Master Project Plan Guidelines at the end of this page.

Educational Philosophy

The educational philosophy of the Master of Music at the Royal Conservatoire enables you to develop your individual artistic vision and personal growth, and to develop an inquisitive attitude, entrepreneurship and independence, while broadening your cultural horizon and developing your professional skills at a high qualitative level. We want our alumni to be excellent composers, but also professionals who can reflect on their role in society, and know how to collaborate and navigate the complex realities of today’s and tomorrow’s music profession.

Guest Composers

The composition department often invites prominent composers for guest lectures, lessons, workshops and portrait concerts. In recent years these have included Oscar Bettison, Jürg Frey, Michael Pisaro-Liu and Hans Abrahamsen. Historic large scale residencies included John Cage, Karlheinz Stockhausen, György Kurtág, György Ligeti and Olivier Messiaen, among others.

Louis Andriessen Studio

Since september 2024 the school houses the archives of former teacher Louis Andriessen in a workspace available to students, including his scores and the grand piano and desk at which these scores were written.

Alumni

These talented composers who are now active both nationally and internationally began their careers at the Royal Conservatoire's composition department. In recent years these have included: Michel van der Aa, Cassandra Miller, Yannis Kyriakides, Missy Mazzoli, Richard Ayres, Calliope Tsoupaki, Kate Moore, Genevieve Murphy, Damien Ricketson, Mikołaj Laskowski en Maya Verlaak.