The Ensembles
Classical Ensembles
Throughout the course of study high priority is given to ensemble and chamber music playing. Each year sees the formation of orchestras and ensembles - both early music groups and ensembles focusing on contemporary music. Intensive orchestral and chamber music projects take place during which a varied programme is studied. In recent years the CvA has embarked on intensive collaborations with professional venues and specialized ensembles and festivals. Orchestras and ensembles of the CvA regularly collaborate with professional ensembles and frequently appear at festivals at home and abroad.
Symphony Orchestra
Players in the Symphony Orchestra participate in two annual projects which focus on developing a varied repertoire. Each project involves performances in the Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, the Concertgebouw, the Berlage Beurs building, Utrecht's Vredenburg Music Centre, de Singel in Antwerp and other major music centres in the Netherlands and abroad. Since 2002 one yearly project is directed by Frans Brüggen.
The autumn project focuses on late-Romantic and twentieth-century repertoire; the spring project features Classical and early-Romantic works. The orchestra is conducted by renowned guests as well as conservatory staff.
Wind Ensemble, the First Years' Strings, Percussion ensembles, CvA-Brass
Brass and woodwind students acquire orchestral experience in the Wind Ensemble. Each project is concluded with a public concert. First years' string and wind players are offered elementary training in the First Years' String and Wind Orchestra also culminating in a concert. There is also a percussion group, and especially for brass students there is the brass ensemble 
CvA-Brass.
New Music Ensemble
This is a group conducted by a variety of alternating conductors. The New Music Ensemble concentrates on a broad contemporary repertoire and is an important tool for composition students, as their works are performed by the ensemble performs on a regular basis. The New Music Ensemble appears each year during the Contemporary Music Week
Early Music Ensemble
Early Music students have ample opportunity to obtain ensemble and orchestral experience, in smaller (chamber) music ensembles, but also in more extensive settings such as in the Sweelinck Baroque Orchestra, which yearly gives several concerts throughout the country.
Choirs
The Classical Department has several choirs: the first year ensemble for the first year vocal students, the choir practicum for conducting students, and the first year choir for all other first year students.
Jazz Ensembles
Ensemble playing is at the heart of the jazz curriculum too. The objective is to provide students with the necessary practical experience and to stimulate their individual creativity so that they can successfully function in the various types of music common to their instrument. Because instrumental and individual needs can be rather diverse, a wide variety of ensembles are offered.
During the first year, the emphasis in all principal subjects will be on ensemble skills in jazz and related types of music. In addition to a specially formed jazz ensemble, there are trios with voice, a choir and a funk/crossover group. Concerts for practically all groups are organized in the Ellington Hall, which is fully equipped for jazz concerts, and venues outside the CvA. In subsequent years of study there are groups specializing in a specific style, such as jazz octet, trio with voice or instrumental soloist, improvisation groups, big bands, flamenco, latin-rhythm sections, Brazilian and various crossover groups.
There are also ensembles focusing on a certain instrument: guitar ensembles, bass guitar ensembles, groups of saxophones or trombones and the two choirs: ladies Only and Vocal Inchoiry. A number of ensembles are required. In addition, students can elect to take various ensembles, thereby determining the direction of their studies. In the third or fourth year, students can form their own groups, determine an objective and/or repertoire and choose a teacher.
There are two big bands, each rehearsing every week under the direction of Erik van Lier, Charles Green and guests like Justin DiCioccio and Ed Neumeister. Both bands play major roles in interesting projects taking place several times a year.
Teachers
