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Admission requirements Jazz composition

Master

In order to assess your technical compositional skills and your artistic approach towards composition and/or arranging, the Jazz Composition Admission Committee requests you to submit the following materials:

1. Arrangements
2 to 3 arrangements for different line-ups/ensembles, submitted as complete and detailed full scores (no lead-sheets), in .PDF format (Sibelius or Finale files will not be accepted).
The source material must be jazz standards.
If you submit 2 arrangements, both must be based on jazz standards.
If you submit 3 arrangements, at least 2 must be based on jazz standards.
Each arrangement must be accompanied by an audio file (live recording or MIDI version), in .MP3 format.

2. Original Compositions
2 to 3 original compositions for different line-ups/ensembles, submitted as complete and detailed full scores (no lead-sheets), in .PDF format (Sibelius or Finale files will not be accepted).
“Different line-ups” may include traditional jazz instrumentations and non-conventional setups such as jazz big band, large ensemble (seven musicians or more), combinations with electronics, strings, folk/traditional instruments, or other cross-disciplinary settings.
Each composition must be accompanied by an audio file (live recording or MIDI version), in .MP3 format.
 

3. Motivation Letter
Maximum 2 A4 pages, in .PDF format, explaining why you wish to pursue the Master in Jazz Composition at Codarts.
 

4. Study Plan (500–1000 words, PDF)
A document outlining your motivation, goals, and plans for the Master of Music programme.
The Master programme at Codarts consists of four main components:

  • Main Subject (30 EC per year)
  • Artistic Research (10 EC per year)
  • Ensemble (10 EC per year)
  • Elective Space (10 EC per year – electives, minors, or professional projects)

    Please answer the following:
  • Personal motivation and artistic goals
  • Why do you want to pursue a Master’s degree?
  • How does it relate to your previous education?
  • What would you like to have achieved or learned by the end of your Master’s? How do you see your future professional path?
     

Main Subject

  • What do you want to focus on in your main subject? (e.g., specialization, expansion, crossover)
  • How do you plan to approach this through lessons?
  • If you’re considering an Erasmus exchange, specify the school, teacher, motivation, and timeframe.
     

Composition Projects

  • What types of projects do you wish to undertake?
  • How do these projects contribute to your artistic development?


Elective Space

  • Which electives or minors would you like to take, and why?
  • What other professional activities do you plan to undertake during your Master’s?
     

5. Artistic Research Proposal (500–1000 words, PDF)
A document outlining your intended artistic research.
Artistic research is an integral part of the Master. Students are grouped into domains depending on their research topic:
Performance Practice, Jazz Improvisation, Composition & Arranging, World Music/Crossover, Pop.

Please answer:

  • Research Topic: short description
  • How will you approach it?
  • Motivation and relevance: Why is this topic important to you?
  • Artistic connection: How does it relate to the professional field?
  • Learning goals: What do you want to gain or explore?

Also include:

  • 5 keywords related to your research
  • 3 relevant experts (and why they are relevant)
  • 3 relevant texts (books, articles, journals)
  • relevant audio or video sources (links + explanation)


6. Short Biography and CV
A short biography (max. 1 A4 page) and curriculum vitae.
 

7. (Strongly Recommended) Video
Applicants are encouraged to submit a video as supplementary material, showing the connection between composition and performance. This may include (but is not limited to):

  • Performing your own work(s) (in different styles or settings)
  • A multimedia or cross-disciplinary performance you are involved in
  • Other performative presentations of your creative work
     

Submission Guidelines
Create a Google Drive folder with the following subfolders:

  • Scores (PDFs of all scores)
  • Audio (MP3s of all recordings)
  • Video (MP4 file or streaming link)
  • Documents (motivation letter, study plan, research proposal, biography, CV – all in PDF)
     

Share the link to the Google drive folder link via the form in Osiris Application.
Important: Ensure your name appears on all files.

Live Audition
During the live audition, we will discuss your submitted arrangements, compositions, study plan, and research proposal.