Hobo
bachelor of master in de Kunsten

Oboe

Contact

For whom?

  • You want to pursue your passion to play the oboe and dream of a professional music career.
  • You want to further develop your artistic expertise with the help of internationally renowned professors.
  • You have the necessary knowledge and skills to pass the admission test.

Your future

With your degree in Oboe, you can become a freelance musician or play in an orchestra/ensemble. You can also continue studying and become an artist-teacher or perhaps an artistic researcher? This study programme is the preparation for a brilliant future both on and off stage.

Orchestra / Ensemble

Making music in a group format is important for your development and therefore compulsory during your studies. As a oboe player, you can join wind orchestra, symphony orchestra or the contemporary ensemble for example.

Seminar & Masterclasses

Renowned guest professors from Belgium and abroad are invited to pass on their knowledge to you. The past years we have welcomed Mathilde Lebert and Mario Dano for example. 

Brussels

You will have the chance to study in a metropolis with both large concert halls as well as small jazz clubs, the ideal starting point for a professional music career. Your campuses are surrounded by beautiful cathedrals, trending coffee bars and green parks to unwind in.

The KCB focusses on the broad artistic formation of each individual. The lessons are based on direct interaction between teacher and student due to the small amount of students in each class. The great number of orchestral productions each year allows us to gain experience on the stage and learn the ins and outs of the greatest pieces is in music history. 
 

Foto van Joachim
Joachim
Student Music

After your study

Professional music career

With a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Music from the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, you can choose many professional directions. Who knows, you might end up:

  • in a (inter)nationally renowned orchestra or ensemble
  • in the arts education field
  • in the social artistic field
  • at cultural institutions or governments as advisor or policy maker
Hobo (f Tom De Beuckelaer)

Further studies

Abbreviated bachelor's degree

After your bachelor, you can move on to a master's degree and even an additional master's degree in another instrument, through a abbreviated bachelor's degree. Postgraduates are also among the possibilities.

 
Verkorte Educatieve Master Muziek (Dutch only)

Merk je tijdens je studie dat lesgeven iets voor jou is? Aan het KCB kan je ook een Verkorte Educatieve master Muziek volgen. Zo kan je meteen aan de slag als kunstenaar-leraar.

 

Artistic researcher

Interested in a career as an artistic researcher? KCB organises various events around research and also offers you the opportunity to do a PhD in collaboration with the Brussels Arts Platform and the VUB (university).

Your subjects

Bachelor
Required subjects Ba1 (CR) BA2 (CR) BA3 (CR)
Main instrument I, II, III 24 24 27
Chamber music 1, 2   6 6
Orchestra 1, 2, 3  6 6 6
Theory and ear training  1, 2 4 4  
Rhythm and intonation   1, 2 5 5  
Harmony and analysis   1, 2 9 9  
History of music 1, 2, 3 6 6 6
Formal analysis 1     6
Encyclopedia and research 3    
Posture and movement 3    
History of culture     3
Optional subjects     6
Total  60 60 60

Master
Required subjects Ma1 (CR) Ma2 (CR)
Main instrument IV 27  
Master exam   30
Chamber music 3, 4 6 12
Orchestra 4, 5 6 6
Formal analysis 2 6  
Introduction to philosophy 3  
Artistic Research Practices 3  
Optional subjects 9 12
Total  60 60

More information about your subjects.

Alumni in focus

Ilona Ingels

Ilona has already played in several orchestras: Belgian National Orchestra, Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Orchester Philharmonique Royal de Liège, JeugdOrkest Nederland, National Youth Orchestra, Frascati Symphonic and others. This in collaboration with renowned conductors such as Anthony Hermus, Gustavo Gimeno, Jurjen Hempel, Hugh Wolff, Dirk Brossé and that in equally renowned international venues. Since January 2016, Lenny Bui-Vandeput and Ilona Ingels have formed a regular oboe-piano duo. The duo was also taught by various renowned teachers from both Brussels and Strasbourg such as Thomas Dieltjens, Luc Loubry, Jan Michiels, Karel Schoofs, Dimitri Mestdag, Sébastien Giot, Christian Schmitt.

Ilona Ingels (f Arte Amanti)
Alexandru

Alexandru Pavaloiu

Alexandru Pavaloiu started playing the oboe at the age of 10 in Romania, where he obtained various prizes at national competitions. He continues his studies in Germany, France and Belgium and participates at various oboe masterclasses, workshops and orchestra academies. Alexandru played in several orchestras: Sønderborg Symphony Orchestra Denmark, Cyprus Symphony Orchestra, Central German Chamber Philharmonic Orchestra Schönebeck, German National Theater Weimar and collaborated with renowned conductors such as Eliahu Inbal, Michael Sanderling, Kurt Masur, Nicolás Pasquet, Ton Koopman, Steven Sloane, François Théberge and Gabriel Bebeselea. Since 2021 plays Alexandru Pavaloiu as principal oboe at the National Opera House in Bucharest.

Veerle Huskens

Veerle Huskens (°1991) took the master's degree in oboe in the class of Karel Schoofs. During her studies, she was selected several times for the NJO Winter and Summer Tour and was also able to gain orchestral experience in various orchestras in Belgium and the Netherlands including the National Orchestra of Belgium, the Symphony Orchestra of La Monnaie, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Casco Phil and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. For her studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, she received the Ingeborg Köberle prize in 2016. Since 2014, Veerle has been an oboist with the Royal Music Chapel of the Guides.

Veerle Huskens

Your professors

In order to develop your talents to the fullest you need a teacher that is capable to help and motivate you in the right way. Our teaching staff is world renowned and have years and years of experience both as performers but also as pedagogues. 

Do you have any specific questions before you register for the admission tests? Would you like to meet your teacher before you take the big step? Below is a list of all teachers with contact information.

Begeleiding
Karel Schoofs

Karel Schoofs

Professor Oboe

During his studies at the Royal Flemish Conservatory of Antwerp which he concluded as primus of his academic year, Karel Schoofs became a member of the Royal Philharmonic of Flanders.

In 1996 he was appointed as principal oboe at the National Orchestra of Belgium under chief conductors Yuri Simonov, Mikko Franck and Walter Weller. Since 2008 he holds the same position at the Rotterdam Philharmonic under chief conductors Valerie Gergiev and Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

He is been invited for concerts and recordings with most orchestras and opera houses in Belgium and the Netherlands and he is sought after as chamber musician with ensembles like Oxalys, Quatuor Danel, Combattimento Consort Amstyerdam, I Solisti del Vento…

He also appeared at international chamber music festivals such as Storioni Festival and Schiermonnikoog Chamber music Festival.

Karel Schoofs is also active in other culture domains: in Jazz-music with the ‘Dowland project’ and in the theater productions ‘verses of Live and Death’ and ‘Watermusic’.

In 2010 he made his debut as a soloist with the Rotterdam Philharmonic playing music of Mozart and Bellini. He also played as a soloist at the Festival of Flanders, with the Belgian Kamerfilharmonie, the Brabant Orchestra and at the World exhibition in  Shanghai. In 2014 he played the Dutch première of James MacMillan’s oboe concerto with the Rotterdam Philharmonic.

Karel Schoofs is member of the chamber music group MP21, which was founded at the music festival ARAM in France where he also gave masterclasses.

Since 2007 he forms a musical duo with Anneleen Lenaerts, solo-harp of the Wiener Philharmoniker.

Contact Karel:

Email

Projects in the spotlight

Harmonieorkest (f Pepa Niebla)

Libertadores | Wind Orchestra

Professor and conductor of the Koninklijke Muziekkapel van de Gidsen, Yves Segers, conducts the wind orchestra every year, the project where the brass players can really have the spotlight. In the spring of 2023, a work by Philippe Lamouris, combined with new work from the oeuvre for wind band and oeuvre from symphony orchestra, by daring, among other things, a new transcription of Sergei Prokofieff's L'amour des Trois Oranges. Finally, they ended with a climax, with music and movement coming together in the rousing, challenging and groundbreaking Libertadores by Óscar Navarro.

Into the Woods | Woodwind Ensemble

The woodwinds of KCB, complemented by horns and low strings, performed three unique romantic serenades filled with lush melodies and colorful harmonies. They traveled through Bohemian, Bavarian and French forests and made the audience dream of the vast nature.

f Dympha Vandenabeele

Your campus

Campus Regentschapsstraat & Kleine Zavel

Our campuses are located in the vibrant Sablon district right in the heart of Brussels. The Conservatoire's stately main building on the Regentschapsstraat with its magnificent Concert Hall is one of Brussel's landmarks. Around the corner is our campus on Kleine Zavel where you can attend classes and study in the best conditions. Moreover, you can use our premises to study during the week and at weekends.

How can I access the campuses?

EhB fotoshoot (Alexandre)
Regent KCB

Renovation of the main building

After years of negotiations, we are proud to announce that the plans for the renovation of our impressive main building on Regentschapsstraat have been approved. More info on this can be found here.

Go abroad

During your studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel, you will come in contact with the world: after all, you study in Brussels, Europe's most cosmopolitan capital. KCB offers guest lectures by international professionals or by a professor from a foreign partner school, international projects,... we will train you to become a professional ready for tomorrow's increasingly international world.

Do you want to spend some time abroad yourself? You can! Studying for a semester (or academic year) at a partner university or doing an internship abroad, mais oui, of course! Find out more about internationalisation.

KVDS

Visit us!

Info Moments

We organise several info moments during the second semester, such as (online) info days and open class moments.

Concerts

We welcome you to our many concerts, masterclasses and research days. Also come and listen to a caleidoscoop concert by our BA1 and BA2 students or our public exams. That way you can see what you would learn as a future KCB student. Every academic year, there are numerous productions in which our students perform. Info & tickets via the agenda or subscribe to our newsletter with the red button.

NEWSLETTER

Nieuwjaarsconcert (f Pepa Niebla)

Enrolment & Admission Tests

To start your studies at the Koninklijk Conservatorium, you must pass an artistic admission test. For information on the entrance exams - such as dates, the programmes to prepare, the enrolment conditions/fees and the module to enrol - click on the button below.

ADMISSION TESTS

Hobo (f Tom De Beuckelaer)

Any question?

For more information on this programme you can contact the student administration via secretariaat.kcb@ehb.be.