Master research presentations teachers
As the culmination of the master programme for teachers at the Royal Conservatoire, Santo Militello, Koen van der Meer and Otto van Dijk will present the outcomes of their research projects, followed by a discussion with the external committee and the audience. This research publication is a public event for which no registration is necessary.
Programme
11:00 Santo Militello
12:30 Lunch break
13:00 Koen van der Meer
14:30 Otto van Dijk
Click here for the programme booklet, including the assessment criteria and biographies of the external assessment committee
Santo Militello
11:00, Studio 1
Title of Research
A Neapolitan partimento North of the Alps: Ignazio Fiorillo’s Sonate per Cembalo (1750)
Summary of Results
This research aims at exploring the context and content of a little-known collection of keyboard works: the Sonatas by Ignazio Fiorillo (1712-1787), published in 1750, Brunswick. Trained in the Neapolitan conservatoires, Fiorillo belongs to the multitude of Italian travelling musicians who exported their native musical practices throughout Europe. After the first operas produced in North Italy, in 1749/50 he took the position of maestro di capella in Brunswick where, soon after his arrival, he published a single collection of keyboard works. One of the historical interests of this publication is that it contains a partimento-fugue, possibly being the earliest Neapolitan partimento to appear in print. This research provides a biographical sketch of Fiorillo, a historical introduction to his publication, a close analytical reading of the two fugues it contains and realizations of few partimenti, among which Fiorillo’s partimento-fugue, thus offering a small contribution to the historiography and practice of partimento.
Biography
Santo Militello (Verona, IT 1983) obtained bachelor degrees in Composition, Wind Band Instrumentation and Choral Conducting, studying at the Conservatoires of Vicenza and Trento. He then moved to the Netherlands where he completed bachelor and master degrees in Music Theory at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. He is currently teaching music theoretical subjects in the Early Music, Composition and Theory departments of the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague.
Koen van der Meer
13:00, Studio 1
Title of Research
Reflections on the Example in the Music Theory Classroom: Didactic approaches to Early Bachelor teaching
Summary of Results
This paper explores the pedagogical use of examples drawn from the musical repertoire in early bachelor music theory teaching. Rather than relying on pre-constructed, explanatory materials, it encourages students to engage directly with authentic works and to infer patterns, concepts, and theoretical principles. Because examples are central to music theory instruction, their selection and use play a decisive role in shaping learning outcomes. Despite their importance, the diversity and didactic function of examples remain underexamined, particularly in English-language research. This gap becomes evident in everyday teaching, where educators often rely on examples intuitively. This study therefore asks what makes a musical fragment a repertoire-based example, how those examples can be collected, how they operate pedagogically and how their potential can be effectively realised by different activities. The research combines a review of existing literature with reflection on the author’s own teaching practice. It identifies different types of examples and examines strategies for their use, illustrated through teaching situations and model lessons. The findings suggest that authentic musical examples foster durable learning, enhance artistic sensibility, and give students a stronger sense of learning ownership. Awareness of different example types and their functions proves essential for effective teaching. Overall, the paper encourages educators to integrate real repertoire with meaningful, student-centred musical activities.
Biography
After graduating in philosophy, music theory and music (piano / school music) at Saarland University and Hochschule für Musik Saar (First State exam and diploma 2007), Koen van der Meer continued with harpsichord and choral conducting in Leuven and earned a bachelor’s in choral conducting in The Hague, alongside international masterclasses in conducting, Kodály pedagogy, and continuo. He has taught music theory at ArtEZ, Musikhochschule Weimar, and Jong KC, contributing to curriculum design. Active as a choral conductor and continuo player, he works as a repetitor for the Dutch national youth choirs and, recently, leads Koorschool Midden-Gelderland.
Otto van Dijk
14:30, Studio 1
Title of Research
The autonomy of the music teacher in music practice
Summary of Results
I have been a music teacher for 25 years and run a successful and thriving practice. In recent years, publishers have developed new teaching methods for secondary education. It seemed as though my role as a music teacher had been reduced to that of a coach and administrator. What has happened? Two elements that may be linked to running a thriving music practice particularly intrigue me: the use of a teaching method and the autonomy of a music teacher. In addition, I have interviewed some of my colleagues from across the country who share the same vision of music-making in particular and music education in general. How do they experience the degree of autonomy in their teaching and in the use of a teaching method?
Biography
Otto van Dijk teaches Methodology on the Docent Muziek Verkort & Zij-instroom. He also teaches music at the Stedelijk Gymnasium in Leiden. Between 2024 and 2026, he studied the TME programme at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague.