Program Admission tests Music Jazz Instrument/Vocals

1. Bachelor

1. Submission of a portfolio with links to video recordings, uploaded to YouTube along with your Curriculum Vitae, and the online test "Jazz Basic Skills in Music".
2. Based on the results of phase 1, candidates will be selected who will be invited for a live audition at the conservatoire.

• Portfolio: uploading is possible from 20 February till 13 April 2025
• The online test "Jazz Basic Music Skills" (five sessions possible):
  • 17 March, 2025
  • 24 March, 2025
  • 26 March, 2025
  • 5 April, 2025
  • 23 April, 2025
• The live audition: 3 & 4 May 2025

• You make video recordings of four tunes, preferably three standards in different styles (swing, ballad, up-tempo, Latin, etc.) and, if you like, an original composition of your choice. It is important that we see and hear how you play the themes, how you accompany and improvise.
• These recordings are best made with a live band, but eventually you can also use play-along tracks that you can download below.

• You will make video recordings of about four tunes from the list below.
• You can download the audio files and scores by clicking on the links in the list.

• You will make a video recording of the coordination exercise which you can download here: coordination exercise
• Remark:
  • Both hands should be clearly visible.
  • Get a good balance between the backing track and your recording. A bit of studio work...

• In a separate video, introduce yourself (in English), and tell us in brief terms why you would like to study in Brussels and more specifically at the KCB.
• The videos should be uploaded to YouTube and you provide the link along with your Curriculum Vitae (pdf).

• Candidates who pass Stage 1 of the entrance test will be invited to a live audition on 3 or 4 May, 2025.
• For the audition, you can prepare additional tunes of your choice, and play them with a rhythm section that will be provided. (For the singers, this is with piano only). For the rhythm section, please bring three copies of the pieces you want to play.
• A sight reading will also be foreseen for which you will be given a short preparation time.
• During the audition, there will also be a short interview in which you will be asked about your previous musical training, your artistic ambitions, your affinity with improvised music (and more specifically jazz), etc.

2. Master (except Latin Percussion – see 2b)

1. Submission of a portfolio with links to video recordings, uploaded to YouTube along with your Curriculum Vitae.
2. Based on the results of phase 1, candidates will be selected who will be invited for a live audition at the conservatoire.

• You make a video recording of about four jazz compositions of your own choice, about 20 minutes total duration. These recordings are best made with a rhythm section.
• In a separate video, you introduce yourself (in English), and tell us in brief terms why you would like to study in Brussels and more specifically at the KCB.
• The video should be uploaded to YouTube and the link provided together with your Curriculum Vitae (pdf).

2b. Entrance program for Master Latin Percussion

• Drums:
  • Basis Latin on drums, play some cascara patterns with vatiations on bassdrum
  • 1 rudimental solo on snaredrum (own choice) from the book “the all American drummer “ CH- Wilcoxon
• Conga’s & improvising:
  • Play a Rumba Guaguanco with feetclave and improvise over it
  • Play a Bembé rhythm with feetclave and improvise over it
• Timbales & Bassdrum:
  • Play a Songo rhythm and improvise over it
  • Play a 12/8 rhythm and improvise with the other hand.
• Coördination:
  • Play independent rhythms on 2 Caxixi’s.

• These recordings will be watched and listened to by us, and will serve to make a selection of the candidates who will be invited to a live meeting where they will be asked to play some more tunes of their choice, and to do sight reading.  
• There will also be a short interview during the live meeting, in which you will introduce yourself, and where you will be asked about your musical education, your artistic ambitions, your affinity with improvised music, and more specifically jazz music.

3. Entrance program for composers/arrangers ( only possible from Ba3 on)

• Please send us  scores and soundfiles ( mp3, mp4, wav...) of three original compositions and three arrangments for different line-ups.
• These recordings will be listened to by us, and will serve to make a selection of the candidates.
• In a separate video, introduce yourself (in English), and tell us in brief terms why you would like to study in Brussels and more specifically at the KCB.

Instructions Video & Portfolio