Research Catalogue

an international database for artistic research

• 3. Internal publication Research published in this issue are only for internal circulation within the Royal Conservatoire, The Hague.
• 2. Royal Conservatoire Investigations Royal Conservatoire Investigations
• 1. Master Research Projects All research in KC

• Developing the amateur wind band. A comparative study of wind bands from Central Spain (Guadalajara and Madrid) and Valencia. (2023) author(s): Diego Garrigo Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  Diego Garrigo Prieto Main Subject: HaFaBra Conducting Research Supervisor: Heloisa Amaral Title of Research: Developing the amateur wind band. A comparative study of wind bands from Central Spain (Guadalajara and Madrid) and Valencia Research Question: How to improve the amateur wind bands in Spain? Summary of Research: Spain is the country of the wind bands. There is 27 professional wind bands and thousands of amateur wind bands and wind ensembles. All of them organize and/or take part in activities such as processions, parties, concerts, and contests. This research intends to inform to the conductors and managers of the amateur wind bands about the differences and the problems in the wind band scene in different regions in Spain. Being myself a wind band conductor, I have noted that the wind band scene in Spain is not the same in all regions. Valencia region has for instance a longer and more developed wind band culture than the region around Madrid, which is where I work. Through the research, I compare the most relevant aspects that make up an amateur wind band; from musical aspects such as the performances, the formation of the musicians, the teachers and conductors, to the idiosyncrasy of both regions (historical background, and the audience). The conclusions of this research are the key to explore and develop the wind bands scene around the world. Biography Diego Garrigo Prieto was born in Ávila, Spain. He studied saxophone at the Conservatorio Profesional of Amaniel in Madrid, and Symphony Orchestra and Choir conducting at the Conservatorio Superior of La Coruña. He finished his Bachelor’s degree in conducting at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague with Alex Schillings, and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in the same institution. He has conducted many ensembles and wind bands in Spain, The Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland.
  open exposition comments (0)
• Deconstructing the Beat Machine: A Study of the influence of Drum Machines and Samplers (2023) author(s): Pat Stewart Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  Advances in technology have always gone hand in hand with the development of artist expression, as more possibilities were exploited by artists to further their expression. In this study I look at the technological advances introduced with early Sampling drum machines in the 1980s and 90s (and the context surrounding these advances) and examine how these influenced the popular music of the time, carrying forward today. The research indicates that the flattening of the technological hierarchy curve brought different ideas of how de-contextualization could be used within music, through sampling and the continuing increased use of inorganic textures, which in turn lead to shifts in compositional and textual shifts in recorded music production, but also within live performance and instrumentalism. The research is presented as an analysis of the limitations and idiosyncrasies of a select number of highly influential drum machines, and some relevant musical releases related to them, then discussion around what changes these idiosyncrasies and other underlying concurrent shifts in technology brought about.
  open exposition comments (0)
• Concerto for four horns by Amando Blanquer Ponsoda: Introduction to the life and musical context of the composer and analytical introduction of the piece (2023) author(s): Miguel Linares Navarro Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  Final version Research
  open exposition comments (0)
• Communication and emotion in adult cello lessons (2023) author(s): Liutauras Žilaitis Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  In the modern world more and more people choose to play an instrument in their free time. It brings them a possibility to express themselves, enjoy the music and maybe meet new people. Next to that comes motivation which is not studied enough - feel the emotion carried by the music. In my cello teaching practice I encounter a number of adults who wish to play cello and whose pivotal motivation to play cello is the emotions and feelings that music brings to them. Through this emotion I intend to make a bond with the student and deepen our connection. In order to see what is needed to communicate well with the student, I have interviewed young professional cellists and investigated what they think about building trust, creating safe space and other necessities for a great cello teacher. Gathered information led to an idea for an experiment with my adult cello students. In a number of lessons I had my students play the music with an emotion (usually the one that they bring to the lesson) and reflect on that. The result of such exercises shows how eager adults are to include an emotion in their playing which consequently is meant to improve the bond between teacher and student. It also shows how their instrumental development can positively influence the ability to play the music with attention to emotion.
  open exposition comments (0)
• Collaboration between composer and performer (2023) author(s): Bernardo Sousa Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  This research focuses on the collaboration between composer and performer and in a broader view, the differences and similarities that collaborations in the XIX century and nowadays have. After a short biographical contextualization of the life of Joseph Joachim, it concentrates on the historic collaboration between Joachim and two of his closest friends, Johannes Brahms and Robert Schumann, as well as with Antonin Dvorak. Furthermore, three modern collaborations, between me and the composers Julian de Loof, Jamie Alperts and Izak de Dreu, were considered, showing how was the process in each one, always making a bridge to Joachim’s partnerships, showing examples of where both differ or resemble. Questions like “How can a performer intervene in a composition process?”, “How important for a collaboration is to have a personal relation before its beginning?”, “What has changed and what remained the same in collaborations between composer and performer throughout the centuries?” and “What can collaborations between composer and performer teach in terms of communication and work method to the modern collaborations?” were addressed and reflected having in mind my experience and the knowledge obtained during the research about Joachim’s collaborations. To conclude the research I will reflect on the questions I had, based on the results I achieved and the things I observed.
  open exposition comments (0)
• Climate Musicians (2023) author(s): Cecilia van Berkum Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
  During crises, musicians often use the power of music to help. For example: to defend certain human rights, to fight for peace or to remember victims of a war. I was wondering if musicians also could play a role in raising more awareness for the climate crisis. Visual artists and pop artists amongst others already are quite active on this topic, but I didn’t notice much activity of classical musicians. So in this research I went searching for these active classical musicians. In the end, I made an inspiration wall with concepts of orchestra’s and musicians from all over the world to show how you can raise more awareness for the crisis. Besides that, I also showed what I decided to take as first steps and how it worked out. Cecilia van Berkum is currently studying her Masters at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague with Ilona Sie Dhian Ho. In 2020 she received her Bachelor with Honors in Utrecht, involving winning the Emir Steyerberg Prize, prize for best final exam of the year. Furthermore, she studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Freiburg as an Erasmus exchange. Besides the standard Master program, she follows the chamber music specialization with the Mare Quartet and the improvisation/jazz specialization with Julia Philippens and Benjamin Herman. Cecilia won an academy with the PHION orchestra. Her violin was built by Paul Bailly (1893).
  open exposition comments (0)