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Orchestral Conducting

If you choose to study Orchestral Conducting at Conservatorium Maastricht, you will have lessons in a setting with all conducting students present and with two pianists playing the orchestra parts. Observing and analysing each other constructively proves to be very valuable. In this way, more repertoire can be covered.

Focus on symphonic repertoire, as well as opera (recitativo, Aria), rehearsal technique, score marking and analysis, assistant ship during orchestral projects at the conservatoire and in the performing field. We encourage developing projects with fellow students.

Previous students have assisted multiple projects with (professional) orchestras, and are successfully working internationally.

Meet our team

Meet your lecturers

Arjan Tien

Symphony Orchestra Conducting

Arjan Tien, winner of the first prize “Rotary-Faller” at the competition of t

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Mourik Jan Heupink

Correpetitor Orchestral Conducting

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Curriculum

Curriculum

Major Orchestral Conducting

More info

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Main Subject and Components related to the Main Subject

32

32

22

47

Main Subject Orchestral Conducting

30

30

16

41

Repertoire/Literature

2

2

2

2

Conducting Work Placement

4

4

Professional development

6

8

18

6

Basic Digital Tools

2

Health and Well-Being

1

Piano for Conducting Students

3

3

3

Knowledge of Orchestral Instruments

2

Advanced Digital Tools

2

3

Studio Recording Preparation

1

Your Art as a Business Basic Course

2

Your Art as a Business Electives

1

Playing from Score (Orchestra)

2

3

Instrumentation

3

3

Additional Aural Analysis

4

Music Theory

22

20

12

Skills Lab

8

8

Creative Lab

8

8

Capstone

4

History of Music

4

2

Choir Classical (General)

2

2

Elective Theory Modules

8

Minor

8

7

Free Space

8

7

Before you apply

Admission
requirements

First round 

The audition consists of two rounds. For the first round, the candidate needs to record 3 videos that contain:  

  • Video 1: A short introduction of him/herself in English: talk about your musical experiences, your motivation to study music, your main subject and why you choose to audition at Conservatorium Maastricht.  

  • Video 2: A recording of conducting the following pieces with either an ensemble or two pianos.  

    From Beethoven’s 1st Symphony:

    • 1st movement: exposition and development
    • 3rd movement: the first 16 bars

     An ouverture from classical / early romantic period.

  • Video 3: A short solo piece on piano, and if applicable a short solo piece on the candidate’s (previous) main instrument. This video should be uploaded in the additional video’s section.  

Additional video’s (not required): The candidate may provide concert video registrations.  

The videos should be uploaded to an online platform such as YouTube.com or Vimeo.com. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make sure that the video links work.  

Second round 

In the second round, the candidate is invited for an online theory test which determines whether the candidate is admissible. More information about the theory test may be found here.  

Furthermore, the audition committee may decide to invite the candidate for an online or in-person live audition after reviewing the video material. The repertoire for the live audition remains the same. Additional repertoire requests can be made by the committee. The candidate should provide check in advance whether an arrangement for two pianos of the chosen classical / early romantic ouverture is available in the conservatory’s library    

Additionally, the theory department may re-invite the candidate for a level test to determine whether the candidate can start the theory program on a higher level.  

Please feel free to contact Arjan Tien at arjan.tien@zuyd.nl