Music Personality of the Year: Frederik Styns

On Sunday 15 March 2020, The Klara's were awarded for the tenth time in Studio 1 of the cultural hall Flagey. De Klara's are Flanders' own Classical Music Awards and are the awards for anyone who has made themselves known in classical music, jazz and world music in 2019.

Ten years The Klara’s

For ten years now, the Klara's have been committed to showing appreciation to all musicians, recognizing and rewarding them for their remarkable achievements over the past year. Not only do the winners go home with a trophy, it also opens doors through extra media attention and stage opportunities. No fewer than fifteen music awards are to be handed out in various categories on the 15th of March. For the first time, awards can be won in the new categories Breakthrough, Special Mention and Music Publication.

The Klara's are awarded by a professional jury: Chantal Pattyn (Klara), Liesbet Vereertbrugghen (Klara), Marc Weyts (Klara), Jerry Aerts (deSingel), Jeroen Vanacker (Concertgebouw Brugge), Hendrik Storme (Klarafestival/deSingel), Ulrich Hauschild (BOZAR) en Gilles Ledure (Flagey).

Winner of the Klara Award 2020 Music personality of the year: Frederik Styns

Frederik Styns is intendant of the Flanders Symphony Orchestra, as the successor of Dirk Coutigny. With the Flanders Symphony Orchestra and principal conductors such as Jan Latham-Koenig and Kristiina Poska, he managed to build on a growing international presence and shifted up a gear in terms of the musical offer, both on and off the stage.

Frederik Styns is intendant of Flanders Symphony Orchestra. A few years ago, he took over from Dirk Coutigny. With Flanders Symphony Orchestra and chief conductors such as Jan Latham-Koenig and Kristiina Poska he managed to create work of an increasing international presence and took the orchestra’s projects – both on and off stage – to a next level.

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"Frederik laid new accents with regard to talent development, education and outreach: from the FSO Composers' Academy, in collaboration with the Conservatory of Ghent, the recent foundation of FSO Young (the youth orchestra) to a collaboration with Amaj (initiative who makes music with young children). Under the name of FSO-Express he managed to build bridges with the outside world. For example, a delegation from the orchestra gave a touching concert in a children's hospital this year." - Jury report

Here you can find an overview of the winners of the 2020 Klara’s.

Get to know the winners

The ceremony on March 15 will take place in Studio 1 of the Flagey hall. All winners will be given the floor at the Klara radio station in the run-up to the award ceremony, from Tuesday 3 to Sunday 15 March.

On Thursday March 12, Frederik Styns is a guest in Music Matters on Klara.