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  4. Viola Da Gamba
Gamba KCB (f Reda Izo)
bachelor of master in de Kunsten

Viola Da Gamba

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For whom?

  • You want to pursue your passion for playing viola da gamba 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 Viola Da Gamba, 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 viola da gamba player, you can join the HIPP orchestra.

Seminar & Masterclasses

Renowned guest professors from Belgium and abroad are invited to pass on their knowledge to you. 

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 focuses 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.

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
HIPP KCB (f Reda Izo)

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 (only in Dutch)

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 (Credits) BA2 (Credits) BA3 (Credits)
Main instrument I, II, III 18 18 24
Chamber Music 1, 2, 3 6 6 6
Repertoire study/sight reading 1, 2   3 3
Historical documentation 1, 2, 3 6 6 6
Orchestra/consort. 1, 2, 3 3 3 3
Philosophy and aesthetics of early music 1     3
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
Analysis of musical forms 1     6
Posture and movement 3    
History of culture     3
Total Credits 60 60 60

Master
Required Subjects MA1 (Credits) MA2 (Credits)
Main instrument IV 27  
Master exam HIPP   30
Historical documentation 4, 5 6 6
Chamber music 4, 5 9 12
Repertoire study/sight reading 3 3  
Artistic research practices  3  
Orchestra/consort 4, 5 6 6
Philosophy and aesthetics of early music 2 3  
Study of sources/edition   6
Optional Subjects 3  
Total Credits 60 60

More information about your subjects.

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.

Docenten KCB
Philippe Pierlot

Philippe Pierlot

Professor Viola Da Gamba

The Belgian viola da gamba player, Philippe Pierlot, started by studying guitar and lute. Later he decided to concentrate entirely on the viola da gamba.

Philippe Pierlot directs the Ricercar Consort ensemble with whom he interprets mostly works of the 17th century, revealing unknown compositions to the public. Several contemporary pieces were written for him, and he is also one of the rare «baryton» players, very peculiar instrument for which Haydn wrote more than 150 trios and other pieces.

Among his recordings specially should be mentioned Heinrich Schütz’ oratorios Auferstehung» and Sieben Worte , German 17th Century Works for Viols, Défense de la Basse de Viole,... In 1995 he started the recording of the complete works of Marin Marais,and in 1998, he realised an adaptation for viols and plucked instruments of the opera Ritorno d’Ulisse, given in important European festivals with great succes (Berlin,Vienna...)

Philippe Pierlot is frequently invited to direct important works which he restores or adapts. For example, in 1999, Marais’ Sémélé,which had not been performed for 300 years, and for which he recomposed the missing instrumental parts.

Philippe Pierlot taught at the Hochscule fûr Musik, Trossingen, Germany. He now teaches at the Brussels and The Hague Conservatories.

Contact Philippe:

Email

Project in the spotlight

Digital New Year's Concert | HIPP

In the year 2021, KCB performed their New Year's concert digitally for the first time! In the concert << Das alte Jahr ist nun vergahn >> our HIPP department performed music by Michael Praetorius (1571-1621). A wonderful project that still resonates. 

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?

Alexandre KCB onthaal
Regent KCB gebouw

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 naar het buitenland

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. Subscribe to our newsletter and stay informed.

INFO & TICKETS

Nieuwjaarsconcert

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

KVDS KCB

Any question?

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