The Royal Conservatoire of The Hague (Koninklijk Conservatorium) is the oldest conservatoire in the Netherlands, founded in 1826 by King William I. It provides higher education in music and dance at the Amare building in central The Hague. The conservatoire is best suited for musicians interested in classical performance, early music, jazz, composition, or music technology at a historically significant Dutch institution.
Here is an Open Day video from the conservatoire's official YouTube channel, offering a look at the facilities and programs at the Amare building:
About the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague
The conservatoire offers a Bachelor of Music with study options in classical music, early music, singing/vocal, jazz, composition, sonology, art of sound, and music education. The Master of Music covers performing musicians (classical, early music, jazz), creative and researching musicians (composition, sonology, ArtScience), and opera. The opera master's is offered through the Dutch National Opera Academy in association with the Conservatory of Amsterdam. A doctoral program for musicians and composers is facilitated through the Academy of Creative and Performing Art at Leiden University. The conservatoire also operates a School for Young Talent for children from age five, combining musical education with regular schooling through gymnasium level. Since September 2021, the KC is housed in the Amare building alongside the Residentie Orkest and Nederlands Dans Theater.
Notable Alumni
The Royal Conservatoire of The Hague has produced several internationally recognized performers and composers, particularly in early music, contemporary composition, and opera.
- Barbara Hannigan - Canadian soprano and conductor who studied at the Royal Conservatoire. She has performed with the Berlin Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, and Gothenburg Symphony, and won a Grammy Award in 2019. She is known for singing and conducting simultaneously. Here is a full documentary about her career from the National Film Board of Canada:
- Eva-Maria Westbroek - Dutch soprano who has performed at the Metropolitan Opera, Royal Opera House, and Vienna State Opera. She made her Met debut as Sieglinde in Wagner's Die Walkure in 2011. Here she is performing in Mark-Anthony Turnage's opera Anna Nicole at the Royal Opera House, from the official Royal Ballet and Opera YouTube channel:
- Michel van der Aa - Dutch composer and director who studied at the Royal Conservatoire. He won the Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition in 2013 and the Mauricio Kagel Music Prize. His multimedia opera Upload won Best Digital Opera at the International Opera Awards in 2022. Here is his composition "Up-close" for solo cello, string ensemble, and film, from his official YouTube channel:
- Susanne Abbuehl - Swiss-Dutch jazz singer and composer who has released albums on ECM Records and performs at major jazz festivals across Europe.
Auditions and Admission
The application procedure takes place in two rounds. For the first round, applicants submit required documents and video recordings. Bachelor applicants must also complete an online theory test. If you pass the first round, you proceed to the second round, which is a live audition at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.
For the 2026 to 2027 academic year, live auditions take place in the week of April 13, 2026. Applicants who cannot travel to The Hague can choose an online audition option (real-time performance through Microsoft Teams), but this must be selected during the application process and cannot be changed afterward.
An accompanist (for classical, early music, and vocal applicants) or jazz combo is provided for live auditions. There is a short interview with the jury about study goals and aspirations. Master's applicants may need to submit a Master Proposal Plan.
Tuition Fees (2026 to 2027)
The Dutch Ministry of Education has set the statutory tuition fee for full-time courses at EUR 2,694 per year. This rate applies to EEA nationals (including Netherlands), Swiss, and Surinamese students who have not previously obtained a Dutch Bachelor's or Master's degree.
Students from outside the EEA and those who already hold a Dutch Bachelor's or Master's degree pay the institutional tuition fee, which is set by the university's Executive Board and is significantly higher. Fees can be paid in one installment (September) or in eight monthly installments via direct debit.
Real-World Example
A student in the sonology program at the Royal Conservatoire works with electronic and computer music technologies in dedicated studios. The early music program is one of Europe's most respected, with access to period instruments and historical performance practice. The conservatoire's relatively large international student population creates a diverse environment. Students perform at the Amare building's concert halls, which opened in 2021 as one of the Netherlands' newest cultural facilities. The jazz program has produced performers who work across European jazz festivals and venues.
Why It Matters for Independent Artists
The sonology and art of sound programs are rare offerings that combine music technology with conservatory-level training. The early music program is among the best in Europe for historical performance. The Amare building, opened in 2021, provides state-of-the-art facilities. The Hague is less expensive than Amsterdam while still offering a strong cultural scene. EU students pay statutory tuition fees set by the Dutch government, approximately 2,500 EUR per year. The conservatoire's association with Leiden University for doctoral studies provides academic credibility. The School for Young Talent allows musically gifted children to begin training early.
Drawbacks / Things to Consider
The conservatoire is relatively small, meaning fewer ensemble opportunities than at larger institutions. Non-EU students pay institutional tuition fees that are significantly higher than the statutory rate. The Hague, while cheaper than Amsterdam, is still an expensive city by European standards. The focus on classical, early music, and jazz means limited options for popular or electronic music outside the sonology program. Dutch language skills help with daily life, though many programs are taught in English. The move to the Amare building in 2021 means the institution is still settling into its new home.
Related Resources
- Music Schools Directory
- Visit Royal Conservatoire of The Hague for more info
Related Music Schools
- Amsterdam Conservatory - The other major Dutch conservatoire, partner in the Dutch National Opera Academy
- Royal Danish Academy of Music - A leading Scandinavian conservatoire
- Royal College of Music Stockholm - Sweden's premier music institution
- Conservatoire de Paris (CNSMDP) - One of Europe's most historic conservatoires
