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The master's degree programme lasts two years. Admission will depend both on the candidate's level of playing and the proposed plan of study. Candidates from other conservatories are also requested to submit a recording (CD, video, DVD). The plan of study must indicate the area in which the candidate wishes to specialize and must outline the plans for the final examination concerning repertoire, styles, etc. The format of the plan of studies can be found here. Master's degrees may be obtained in the following areas:

• Trumpet
• Trombone
• Bass trombone
• Saxophone
• Drums/Percussion
• Arranging/Composition
• Guitar
• Bass guitar
• Double bass
• Piano
• Voice
• Other

More information related to the principal subject and admission requirements may be found here.

Principal Study

Principal subject
Central to the study of the principal subject are the student's weekly individual lessons with the principal subject teacher(s). In the first year the student has two options:

• One teacher for all individual lessons
• Two teachers for all individual lessons: half of the lessons with the principal subject teacher, half of the lessons with another teacher

In the second year option 2 is extended with the possibility of taking half of the lessons with a guest teacher. In this case the student must apply ultimately three months before the start of the second year's course, i.e. the 1st of June preceding the second year's course, in consultation with his/her mentor.

After the first year the student will take an examination. Admittance to the second year will depend both on the level of playing and the artistic progress that has been made, and of an assessment of the progress in relation to the plan of study.

Technique as subsidiary subject or second instrument
The fields of study treated in these lessons will be related to the principal subject: vocal technique for voice candidates, flute or clarinet for saxophone candidates, double bass for bass guitar and vice versa, etc.

Projects
On a regular basis Artists in Residence will visit the school. With respect to active participation, the Artist-in-Residence program will focus on the master's degree students; participation is required and is considered a component of the principal subject. Individual lessons are part of the Artist-in-Residence program.

Ensembles
Students are required to take four ensemble modules (20 ensemble credits; one ensemble module is equal to 5 credits). Whenever possible, these ensembles will represent the CvA outside the institution itself. Every semester, two modules are organized; the list will soon be published on this site. Depending on their principal subjects students will be required to participate in the concert big band, which will be equal to one ensemble module (5 credits).

Research
During the two years of studies the student will do an individual research project. The nature of this research may be artistic, historical, theoretical, sociological, etc. An in-house symposium will be the setting for the final presentation of the research project. This presentation may be a lecture-performance (which consists of a spoken presentation and a musical performance), a concert with extensive program notes, a written thesis, or a workshop or master class.

Master's subjects
The master's degree programme offers a selection of master's subjects. These subjects are practical, and/or analytical, and/or historical. The student is required to take 20 credits of master's subjects, 10 credits from category A (arranging) and 10 credits from category B (practical/historical/analytical).

Individual credits
The content of the individual credits can be determined by the student. The following is offered: piano for non-pianists (group lessons, or individual for advanced students); studio recording: the student can record for one day annually in the studio. Other options are to take subjects from the master?s subjects program or to attend classes at the University of Amsterdam.

Final Examination
The practical examination consists of two parts, both public. One part will be in the conservatory lasting approximately 45 minutes. The other part is a public presentation during the Graduation Jazz Festival. The examination program must constitute a coherent whole and must include the candidate's own arrangements and/or compositions.

Exchange
As part of the exchange program, students can study abroad for one semester, either in Europe, within the Socrates network, or in the US at the University of Miami, the State University of New York or the Manhattan School of Music (all depending upon placement options).

Overview of credits
A total of at least 120 credits are necessary for obtaining a graduate degree; these credits will be divided over a period of two years.