Talent development
Conservatoire students from the Netherlands and Belgium, as well as Dutch students at conservatoires elsewhere, aged 18 to 26 years, can participate in various orchestras and projects of the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (NJO) after selection through auditions. NJO projects include a symphony orchestra, various ensembles and special programmes during the NJO Summer Festival (Muziekzomer Gelderland). These orchestras and projects bridge the gap between the mainly individual conservatoire training that focusses on technique and theory and the reality of professional practice. All projects and productions of NJO lead to one or more performances for an audience. Sometimes one-off and tailor-made for a specific occasion, but usually multiple, public performances.
 |
 |
 |
 |
The NJO working with guest conductor Alexandre Bloch during a rehearsal in Het Concertgebouw, Amsterdam, 14 augustus 2021 (photo's Sarah Wijzenbeek)
As a music student you will experience the power of creating and working together with various top conductors, coaches and other professional, creative makers at NJO. This contributes to new inspiration, to different visions and interpretations of the music performed and to the development of your individuality as a musician. During the projects we also organise coaching sessions on musicological backgrounds, physical and mental health, injury prevention, career development, entrepreneurship and profiling & marketing. Read more about talent development at NJO on the website of the National Youth Orchestras of the Netherlands (NJON), the organisation behind NJO.
At the end of the learning process at NJO, there are various extra options to prepare for professional practice. For example, NJON also facilitates participation in international exchange projects, (pre-)professional collaboration projects with performing arts institutions and/or participation in international youth orchestras such as the European Union Youth Orchestra. Take a look at the options under International Partners.
Students at both classical and jazz departments of Dutch conservatoires may also want to participate in Jong Metropole, an orchestra specialised in symphonic pop and jazz. Jong Metropole is a collaboration between NJON, the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NJJO) and the Metropole Orkest.