Codarts offers Europe’s only comprehensive bachelor’s degree in jazz composition. The core study areas include contemporary music, jazz, electronic music, and film scoring. As a Jazz Composition student, you will primarily focus on jazz, with electronic composition as a secondary subject. Electives from both the Jazz department and the Composition Interfaculty encourage collaboration across different musical disciplines.

You will learn from experienced composers who are active in the professional music world. Each person contributes their own unique background and area of expertise, offering a wide range of musical perspectives.

S'yo Yen (Fang) is an eclectic jazz composer, arranger, and pianist whose work spans contemporary jazz and modern classical music. He composes for small and large ensembles, big bands, orchestras, as well as interdisciplinary music theatre and film. He has been recognised with two prestigious ISJAC awards from the International Society of Jazz Arrangers and Composers in 2019 and 2022. S'yo joined the faculty at Codarts in September of 2023. Building on the department's rich legacy and influenced by figures such as Paul van Brugge and Bob Brookmeyer, S'yo shares his innovative approach to composition and improvisation with the next generation of jazz musicians.

René Uijlenhoet is a Dutch composer and electronic music pioneer whose work blends acoustic instruments with live electronics, focusing on sound synthesis, spatial audio, and spectralism. Influenced by his training experience with Ton Bruynèl, Uijlenhoet creates immersive multimedia experiences that push the boundaries of electronic music. Since 1997, he has been a faculty member at Codarts Rotterdam, where he has shaped the field of modern electronic composition through his innovative work and research. His contributions include sound installations and performances, playing an influential role in training the next generation of composers.

Our programme

Throughout your study programme, you will participate in hands-on projects that simulate professional working environments. These include Work in Progress, From Behind the Score, and collaborations with ensembles such as the Codarts Pop Orchestra, World Music Orchestra, and the Contemporary Big Band. You will also collaborate with external ensembles like the Metropole Orchestra and the Ricciotti Ensemble. As a student you will also present your work at big name events like the North Sea Jazz Festival and the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

A key feature of the programme is the opportunity to collaborate across disciplines. For example, the ‘Opus 111’ project follows the tradition of ensembles like Ensemble Modern and London Sinfonietta, while the ‘Blind Dates’ project fosters partnerships with the Willem de Kooning Academy and the Dance Department. These experiences will help you develop the skills to work across artistic disciplines and adapt to professional challenges.

The weekly Composer Practicum enhances your education by inviting professionals from various disciplines to share their expertise. Each semester also includes a project week, promoting artistic collaborations between different departments and creating a multidisciplinary learning experience.
 

Guest teachers
Codarts also offers an enriching guest teacher programme. Each year, we invite professionals from various disciplines to share their expertise with students. This year’s guests include Damiano Pascarelli from the Metropole Orchestra, Tomoko Mukaiyama, a contemporary pianist and crossover artist, and Morris Kliphuis, a jazz composer and horn instrumentalist. Part of our comprehensive education programme, these sessions are designed to inspire and broaden your artistic vision.

Alumni and career opportunities
Alumni of the Jazz Composition programme include renowned composers such as Rodrigo Faina (jazz composer, arranger, and faculty at the University School of Arts TAI, Madrid), Petar Dundakov (film composer), and Leonard Evers (composer, conductor in music theatre and opera). Their success demonstrates the broad career opportunities that await you after graduation.

Join our creative community!
The Jazz Composition programme seeks students with fresh perspectives and diverse backgrounds. This diversity fosters an open and dynamic environment where you can grow as a musician and artist. Are you ready to compose your future at Codarts? Join our programme!

QUOTE S’yo Yen (Fang)

At Codarts Jazz Composition, we embrace the dynamic interplay of tradition and innovation, empowering students to craft their unique artistic voices. Our interdisciplinary approach promotes creative freedom and collaboration across genres; you will graduate as a versatile, forward-thinking composer ready to shape the future of music.” — S’yo Yen (Fang), Faculty Representative of Jazz Composition