KC Research Portal
About this portal
Master students at the Royal Conservatoire use the online Research Catalogue for the communication with their supervisor, for the development and formulation of their research proposal, for their work-in-progress, and for the final documentation and publication of their research.
contact person(s):
Kathryn Cok ,
Koncon Master Coordinator ,
Casper Schipper url:
https://www.researchcatalogue.net/view/517228/1588065
Recent Issues
-
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
Recent Activities
-
Study on Compositional Techniques in Jazz by Exploring Rachmaninoff
(2023)
author(s): Seongjoon Park
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
An exposition on the 'Study on Compositional Techniques in Jazz by Exploring Rachmaninoff'
-
String instruments and Pop: The use of the violin family in 21st century mainstream pop music
(2023)
author(s): Fernando Pérez Calvo
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
This project investigates a side of string playing that happens beyond conservatory studies, analyzing the use of string instruments from the violin family (violin, viola, cello, and double bass) in mainstream pop during the 21st century, comparing it also to their use during the 20th century in pop and other styles, such as Disco or Rock and Roll, and see the evolution. In mainstream pop from different historical periods, these instruments can be seen in many songs, however, their use differs due to the technological and social context of each period, as well as economic and popular decisions made by big companies and artists.
The project was formulated by doing a bibliographic review for the creation of a historical context and the most theoretical parts, as well as the observation and analysis of hundreds of songs to see and determine this evolution, reaching the conclusion that technology and social networks have changed the way we listen to music and that, in general, string instruments, whether real or synthetic, are used less as time passes in mainstream pop music, protected by economic decisions around social changes and opinions.
-
Stage presence: The impact of body gestures
(2023)
author(s): Špela Pušnik
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
Many people like to go to concerts and enjoy hearing and seeing the musicians in action. Some of the great performers they forget, while others leave a strong impression. What makes those artists so special that the audience remembers their performance, and wants to hear them again?
I believe that the right presentation of oneself on the stage makes a big impact on the reaction of the audience. This research investigates the ways of getting the interest of the audience by using body gestures. Through the process of video comparisons, questionnaire, and my own experiment on the matter, all supported by theoretical information, I discovered that the topic brings divided opinion within musicians. In the world we live in today, I think the question of how to create a presence on the stage is something very relevant and needs our attention. Based on the results I concluded that in certain moments, gestures can be obstructive for the delivery of the piece, and adaptation of body gestures according to the period in which the piece was written as well as by which composer is needed for a good performance. The gestures should appear natural for every performer, even if he/she needs to control the body, and not ‘let himself go’ in the music.
-
Stage Fright and Anxiety in Music Performance:finding techniques for better stage performance.
(2023)
author(s): Doriana Gorbuleac
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
This research discusses techniques to fight stress and anxiety, interaction between the well-being and body language while performing, pre-performance preparation and how to develop mental resilience while training your mental skills, using visualization and obtaining the ideal performing sate. It also discusses breathing, which is one of the most common problems with oboe playing and how hyperventilation is caused due to stress.
Chapter one is all about these techniques that can help a performer increase cognitive ability of cognitive skills for s longer period of time, improve concentration, become more efficient and maintain the resilient mindset.
Many are not aware why their body reacts in a certain way to certain situations and my research talks about some of the effects of stress on the human body, which brings clarity to our own wellbeing.
Second chapter talks about the routines of the daily practice, how to change your performing state in the practice room, how to prepare and organize your practice, when to use your mind to think about your goals and whether visualization was successful to practice before a performance. There are also answers given about creating a routine and the benefits of it for your practice. My goal for this research was to encourage students to find their own understanding and develop efficiency and comfort in their own playing.
-
Sperger on Stage
(2023)
author(s): Emma Moling
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
Johann Matthias Sperger was one of the most important double bassists of the 18th century. Alongside a catalogue of symphonies, chamber music, and various concertos, he left us a wealth of repertoire for double bass. Namely 18 concertos and numerous chamber music pieces. However, most of these works have not been played since the death of the composer, due largely to the kind of double bass he wrote: the Viennese violone which uses a third-fourths tuning that had developed in Vienna, around 1760-1820. It is for this reason, that his compositions are nowadays not often performed as they are not well suited for the modern double bass. An outstanding example of his chamber music is his sonata for double bass and cello from 1790.
This exposition focuses on how I made adaptations based on my own artistic research in order to play his duo on the modern double bass. Through an investigation of the relevant historical sources, together with practical work on the double bass, I created my version of this duo. The adaptations I made are based on technical issues but also on musical and personal choices, as the instrument, the style and the way we see and play music today has changed. My research topic arose from the issue of the double bass being under-represented in chamber music performances and the wish to find repertoire where the double bass player is working as an equal partner with the other individual musicians.
-
Speak to me: A self reflective approach to improving classical music concert presentation
(2023)
author(s): Peter Bourne
Limited publication. Only visible to members of the portal : KC Research Portal
Speak to me: A self-reflective approach to improving classical music concert presentation.
Research by Peter Bourne
Supervised by Heloisa Amaral
How can musicians improve their in-concert verbal communication with an audience? Why might they want to? Is there a method that can allow any musician to develop this skill without the need for tutoring or specialised training?
Summary:
This research began as a personal quest by one musician to find a reliable, repeatable and effective method of improving their own concert presentation. By doing so it was hoped that they might improve audience engagement with both music and artist, whilst helping to make their music accessible to a broader public. This could in turn increase the impact and reach of their performance. Various strategies for self-improvement and independent learning have been reviewed and integrated into a simple four-step approach to be carried out with each performance where a musician chooses to speak to their audience. The resulting method consists of four R’s: Role-setting, Recording, Reflection and Repetition. By deciding on a role to perform ahead of the performance, a musician sets clear goals for themselves and identifies the reasons for speaking to their audience. By recording their presentation and rewatching it at a later time, they obtain distance from and perspective of their work. This allows them to best use specialised techniques to reflect deeply and gain insight on their work, before developing strategies to improve in their next performance. This exposition presents a how-to guide for implementing the method itself, as well as background on the use and importance of each element. It also features a case study of this method being applied to a chamber music concert performance.
Biography:
Peter Bourne is a British clarinettist from the small island of Guernsey in the Channel Islands. His music studies took him through France, at the conservatoires of Bordeaux and Strasbourg, and on to the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Peter now holds the position of Bass Clarinettist with the Latvian National Opera in Rīga. In addition to his orchestral work he is an active chamber musician, and a founder member of CrossWinds, a clarinet and accordion duo.