the programme
Welcome!
There is a lot we can tell you about the Rotterdam World Music Academy, although we would rather invite aspiring students to come visit us, so they can get to know our curriculum, talk to our teachers and students and taste the atmosphere in our academy! So please call or e-mail Sharon van der Vaart to make an appointment : ((+31)10 2444505 or worldmusic@codarts.nl). We hope to see you soon!
Leo Vervelde, artistic manager Rotterdam World Music Academy
Our school
The Rotterdam World Music Academy (RWMA) at the Rotterdam Conservatoire (RC) offers a study programme that is unique in the world. No less than five completely different musical genres, from five different countries, together make up our academy. We are located, together with the SKVR - the Rotterdam (world)music and dance school - at the magnificent World Music and Dance Centre (WMDC), which also has a stage where almost daily world music or world dance are being performed.
Already since 1985 the RC has been offering the study programme Flamenco Guitar. In 1989, the Department of World Music was established, the forerunner of the present RWMA. Now our academy offers various programmes focusing on Flamenco guitar, Northern Indian classical music, Latin, African-Caribbean and Brazilian music, Argentinian tango, and Turkish (folk) music.
The most important classes for these main subjects within these genres are given by (international) specialists, including Paco Peña, Hariprasad Chaurasia, and Gustavo Beytelmann. Each study programme has its own curriculum, carefully designed to meet the requirements of the professional practice of each specific genre. Also, mainly in the form of projects, cross-links are explored, both between different genres and in collaboration with other academies at the RC.
The RC represents top quality in a wide variety of study programmes and programmes. With over 800 students taking professional training and dozens of pupils taking preparatory programmes – the RC is now one of the larger conservatoires in the Netherlands.
Adventure, diversity, personality and craftsmanship are the cornerstones of the RC.
Together with the Rotterdam Dance Academy (RDA) and the bachelor programme Rotterdam Circus Arts (RCA), the RC is part of Codarts, University for Professional Arts Education, a mid-sized academy of some 1100 students providing high quality professional arts education. Its department for Research & Development and its various lectureships make Codarts an institute for research and knowledge in the fields of music, dance and circus as well.
Rotterdam
The RC is based in Rotterdam, a young city with a young population. Each year 50.000 students graduate at HBO/WO level. Rotterdam is an international city, a world port for trade that is internationally orientated by tradition. The city's population is made up of over 160 nationalities, a true melting pot. There is a rich cultural scene with many theatres, cinemas, concert venues, orchestras, dance companies, museums, and art galleries. Rotterdam also has a lot of ‘applied art’ and takes pride in hosting quite a number of festivals, including the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the Gergiev Festival, and the North Sea Jazz Festival. With numerous world music bands, the Dunya Festival, Tango School Cuartito Azul, the WDMC and the RWMA, Rotterdam is also a city of world music.
Our programmes
Our five study programs all have their own curriculum, main subjects, and specialized team of teachers. The main subjects are Flamenco Guitar: guitar; Latin: voice, percussion, piano, double bass and electric bass guitar (wind instruments via the Rotterdam Jazz Academy); Northern Indian Classical Music: voice, bansuri, sitar, tabla, voice and sharangi; Argentinian Tango: bandoneón, violin, piano, double bass, and guitar; Turkish Music: bağlama en darbuka (percussion). The curriculum also features subjects taught throughout the conservatoire such as Western music theory, rhythm training, and classes on music and education. Additionally, in collaboration with other academies of the Rotterdam Conservatoire, cross-disciplinary projects are organized.
The RWMA has a one-year preparatory programme, a four-year bachelor programme, and a two‑ year master programme. We also offer various study programmes on a contractual basis.
The professional practice
The RWMA emphasizes orientation at the professional practice, and the curriculum reflects this. Here are two examples: The study program Flamenco guitar pays a lot of attention to learning how to accompany singers and dancers. Students of Latin music and tango learn how to transcribe and arrange music for orchestras and ensembles, for both dance music and listening music.
The RWMA also collaborates in a number of ways with institutes abroad, by exchanging students and teachers and by organizing concert and study trips to these institutes. We have ties with, for instance, the Orquesta Escuela de Tango (Buenos Aires, Argentina).
Finally, the RWMA also works together with other organisations within Rotterdam, such as the Dunya Festival and Tango School Cuartito Azul, and, for concerts, with the venues the Doelen and the Wereldmuseum.
English as language of communication
Since the majority of our students and teachers come from abroad, the language of communication at our academy is English. Therefore a good active and passive command of English is absolutely required. Non-Dutch speaking students have to take a test of proficiency in English.
To conclude
- After completion of the programme the student receives the title Bachelor of Music (BMus)
- Click here for the Teaching and Examination Regulations
- The language of instruction is Dutch, and English for foreign students
- Codarts maintains the international code of conduct with respect to higher education
- Students follow the programme Music 34739
- The programme was accredited on 31-12-2004 (www.nvao.net)