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Admission requirements CaSA Voice

Candidates must prepare three pieces, featuring Brazilian, Cuban, or other Caribbean music genres. During the audition, the committee will select two pieces for performance. All performances will be accompanied by a backing track only. 

Repertoire list to choose from (Backing Tracks May Be Provided) 

Male Candidates: 

  • Como Fue – Beny Moré (Ernesto D. Brito) 

  • Bilongo (La Negra Tomasa) – Eddie Palmieri (Fiffe Rodríguez) 

  • Preciso me Encontrar – Cartola 

  • Corcovado – João Gilberto 

Female Candidates: 

  • Lágrimas Negras – Omara Portuondo or Celia Cruz (Miguel Matamoros) 

  • Obsesión – Omara Portuondo (Pedro Flores) 

  • Dança da Solidão – Marisa Monte 

  • Chega de Saudade – Vinícius de Moraes, Tom Jobim 

If candidates require a backing track, they must contact asc@codarts.nl in advance. 

 

Improvisation 

  • Improvise over a given chord scheme, responding melodically and rhythmically. 

  • Perform pregónes (call-and-response improvisations) at a basic, either as part of a backing track performance or a play-along. (This applies to Cuban and salsa repertoire.) 
     

Aural Skills  

  • Melodic Repetition – Repeat a melody that is played to you. 

  • Interval Recognition – Identify and name intervals accurately. 

  • Chord Recognition – Identify and name triads and 7th chords by ear. 

  • Brazilian Percussion Rhythms – Sing/clap rhythms such as samba, partido alto, and baião  

  • Afro-Cuban Rhythms – Perform patterns for Bolero, Guajira, and Son Cubano 

  • Tumbao & Clave – Play a tumbao in clave 3-2 and 2-3, as well as recognize and clap the clave within a given piece 

 

What we grade:  

  • Musical Accuracy & Expression – Candidates must demonstrate accuracy in pitch, rhythm, and articulation while conveying artistic expression and stylistic awareness.  

  • Timing, Groove & Pulse – A solid sense of timing, groove, and rhythmic precision is essential. Candidates must be able to feel and maintain the direction of the groove, including the ability to play ‘in clave’ where applicable.  

  • Technical Control & Instrumental/Vocal Proficiency – Assessment of fluency, control, tone quality, and dynamic range appropriate to the instrument or voice.  

  • Aural Awareness & Musical Sensitivity – Ability to listen, respond, and interact musically, whether in solo or ensemble contexts, with an understanding of phrasing, articulation, and balance. Accurately interpret and perform a short, notated or aural excerpt with rhythmic and pitch accuracy.  

  • Stylistic Interpretation & Improvisation – Candidates should demonstrate an understanding of the stylistic nuances of their chosen repertoire and, where relevant, showcase improvisational skills rooted in the tradition.  

  • Communication & Artistic Presence – Beyond technical ability, we assess the candidate’s ability to engage with the music and convey emotion.  

 
CaSA Music Theory  
Part of your audition also consists of CaSA Music Theory   

  
Interview  
 
During the interview we will look at the following aspects:  

  • General motivation and level of English.  

  • Commitment to Studies & Professional Growth  

  • Ability to Articulate Goals & Perspectives  

  • Awareness of the Codarts Learning environment