info.lemmens [at] luca-arts.be

Campus Lemmens
Lemmensberg 3
3000 Leuven
Belgium

Bagpipe, diatonic accordion, violin or nyckerlharpa? Let your talent shine at LUCA School of Arts.

Folk

LUCA Conservatory of Music is an internationally oriented music conservatory in Belgium, offering high-level bachelor’s and master’s programs to international students from around the world. With a tradition dating back to 1879 as the former Lemmensinstituut, LUCA is one of the leading conservatories in Belgium for classical music, folk and composition.

LUCA School of Arts Campus Lemmens, a European music college with a rich tradition, offers bachelor's and master's programmes in various music genres. It is one of the few schools in Europe where you can also study folk music and its typical instruments, such as the bagpipes, nyckelharpa, violin and diatonic accordion. In addition to the broad artistic training, students can specialise in solo and ensemble repertoire, with plenty of opportunities for live performances on campus and with a view to an artistic career outside. The programmes for these instruments at LUCA School of Arts are fully-fledged bachelor's and master's programmes.

Students can start in Bachelor 1 and complete a full programme with a view to obtaining a Master's degree for the instrument in question. It is also possible to enter from another Master's degree in music.

Concerts & events

Students at LUCA School of Arts Campus Leuven / Lemmens are supervised by musicians of international standing and participate in inspiring workshops and masterclasses with leading artists in the field.

The music college maintains close ties with the professional field and other European colleges, offering students the opportunity to build valuable connections during their studies. Chamber music concerts and concerts by the Folk Production, both on campus and at external locations, give students the opportunity to gain stage experience. In addition, monthly jam sessions are organised.

The international campus attracts talent from all over the world and offers a stimulating environment for artistic growth. With its extensive infrastructure, the school has ideal facilities for musical development and creative fulfilment.

Admission test

We hold three admission tests each year, in March, July, and September. For specific dates, click here. The test includes a solfege exam and an instrumental performance exam (full details can be found here). International candidates have the option to submit a one-take video of their program.

Professors

Our team of professors includes principal musicians from the leading orchestras in Belgium and the Netherlands, as well as esteemed chamber musicians and renowned soloists.

Professors:

Anne Niepold (diatonic button-accordion), Didier François (nyckelharpa & violin), Pieterjan Van Kerckhoven (bagpipe)

Request a trial lesson here

What Does the Programme Look Like?

The first two years of the Bachelor's programme provide a solid foundation in both practical skills and theoretical knowledge. In the third year of the Bachelor's and throughout the Master's programme, the focus shifts to more intensive instrumental training, emphasizing personal musical expression. Alongside individual instrumental lessons, students also take courses in cross-disciplinary subjects that help prepare them for professional life, with a strong emphasis on creativity and collaboration.

**Bachelor 1**
Instrument	24 credits
Basic education (ear training/rhythm/harmony)	12 credits
Theoretical training (Art in Context/Music History)	12 credits
Orchestra/Ensemble	6 credits
Chamber music	3 credits
Sight-reading technique	3 credits

**Bachelor 2**
Instrument	24 credits
Basic education (ear training/rhythm/harmony)	12 credits
Theoretical training (Art in Context/Music History)	9 credits
Audition Training	6 credits
Orchestra/Ensemble	6 credits
Chamber music	3 credits

**Bachelor 3**
Instrument	30 credits
Theoretical training (Art in Context/Music History)	9 credits
Audition Training	6 credits
Orchestra/Ensemble	6 credits
Chamber music	3 credits
Elective component	6 credits

**Master 1**
Instrument	24 credits
Chamber music	6 credits
Ensemble	6 credits
Research	6 credits
Professional Toolkit	6 credits
Elective component (Workshops/Minors/Cross-domain subjects)	12 credits

Master 2

Instrument and artistic research	30 credits
Chamber music	6 credits
Ensemble	6 credits
Professional Toolkit	6 credits
Elective component (Workshops/Minors/Cross-domain subjects)	18 credits