Master
Drums
Rhythm is arguably the most important element in music. The Bachelor’s programme at the Drums department will train you in a wide variety of musical styles like jazz, rock, funk, fusion, Big Band, Latin and world music , both traditional and contemporary. We will teach you how to improvise in these styles, to be creative, achieve the right hand and foot technique and sound. Apart from all of this, you will get a lot of freedom to find our own voice on the drums. We also provide special lessons that will teach you (basic) skills in percussion.
The Master’s programme will allow you to delve deeper into the topics of your choice.
Meet our team
Meet your lecturers
Ron van Stratum and drum students of Conservatorium Maastricht
Curriculum
Curriculum
Before you apply
Admission
requirements
Video Requirements
Share your un-edited video recording links in the portfolio. Videos should be uploaded to your YouTube channel ( if you don’t have one, make one). Set your videos to ‘unlisted’ so only you and we can see them. IMPORTANT: DO NOT send the actual video(s): ONLY LINKS to the video(s)
- Present yourself in English at the beginning of your video
- Then show yourself, playing the drums for (at least) 10 minutes
- As many musical styles as possible/that you are familiar with. Play a groove with variations and improvise with it (also fill-ins). Play these grooves WITHOUT band or play-along. Each groove should be between 30 sec and 1½ minute long
- Various styles (jazz, funk, Latin, etc.) with a band (if possible) or with play-along. These should include a drum solo
- Play a snare drum solo (e.g. from Mitchell Peters books) and accompany yourself by keeping the pulse with your hi-hat. If that is not possible than play as many rudiments as you know (rolls, flams, paradiddles, etc.) Also include in writing how long you are playing drums, with whom you were studying, if you are playing in a band, and everything else you think is important for us to know
If you have a video of your Bachelor Final Exam, please share that with us as well as an additional video link.
“Live” Audition
Depending on your level, you will be invited for an online meeting with the teachers for an online “live” audition.
For the “live” audition, you should be able to play a representative short set (3 pieces), We highly recommend that you do this with your own band! And be ready to do interactive exercises together with the main subject teachers, as well as individual ones, including sight reading, comping and improvising.
The “live” audition should take approximately 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 approximately 45 – 60 minutes.