After having offered orchestra playing on project basis for many years, the CvA now offers, as from in the next study year, an ongoing course in orchestra playing in the bachelor’s and master’s degree programmes. The objective of this orchestra class is fourfold:

1) to coach the students in playing orchestra repertoire in an actual performance setting, with a full orchestra on stage.

2) to teach the students how to function in an orchestra setting with all its logistic, communicative and social responsibilities.
3) to create a meeting place where all kinds of expertise present at the CvA come together; from studying ensemble playing and orchestra parts to music history, from analysis and performance to getting familiar with various style periods.

4) to prepare students for their professional orchestral career in the best possible way.

Philharmonic Fridays will rehearse from September to January on Friday mornings and will be conducted by Johannes Leertouwer. The guest conductors in the 2015-2016 season will be Ed Spanjaard and Jacob Slagter.

Sven Arne Tepl, Director of Classical Music: ‘In addition to the Master Degree in Orchestra Playing - in cooperation with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra - we now offer an ongoing orchestra class in the bachelor’s degree programme as well. With Johannes Leertouwer as regular conductor of Philharmonic Friday we have an artist who not only knows the school and the study programmes inside out, but who has also distinguished himself as a passionate conductor, able to express his well informed vision on music in a very clear and inspiring way.’