NJO Workout Sessions
What does it do to a conservatoire student if they cannot play together with others? We wondered that at the beginning of 2021, after the tour of the National Youth Orchestra of the Netherlands (NJO) was canceled for the second time in a row due to the COVID-19 measures in force. Because the end of the tunnel was not yet in sight and coming together with an entire orchestra was completely impossible, we came up with the NJO Workout Sessions. All members of the NJO were allowed to sign up for this, with the aim of making music together in a smaller context, being coached ánd creating something new.
The Workout Sessions
In May 2021, we received permission to start the first NJO Workout Session and to have five musicians and a coach come together. View the results from the first five sessions below.
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Wind Quintet NaRobu in NJO Workout Session 1 |
Alban Kwartet in NJO Workout Session 2 |
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Jurjen de Roest (double bass) and Berend Stumphius (cello) in NJO Workout Session 3 |
Mare Quartet in NJO Workout Session 4 |
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Chain composition
In addition to the chance to play together and receive coaching, the musicians who participated in the NJO Workout Sessions worked on a chain composition under the guidance of saxophonist, arranger and composer Willem van Merwijk. The NaRobu Quintet, the Alban Kwartet, a duo consisting of Jurjen de Roest en Berend Stumphius, the Mare Quartet and Ensemble FLUWEEL started a completely new composition, which will be completed by the Cantabile Sextet in the final NJO Workout Session. The first parts of the chain composition can be heard in the video's above. Keep an eye on this page and our social media for the final complete chain composition!
Financial support
The NJO Workout Sessions are possible thanks to the support of the Frank van der Walfonds.