Instrument: first violin, tutti
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2017
Why did you choose your instrument?
My sister already played the cello and I wanted to play on the cute ‘little cello’.
What do you do besides being a musician with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
Pilates! I have two small children so little free time remains at the moment. But I love reading, travelling, crafting, sewing, horse riding.... I also play in the piano trio Impression and teach violin at the academy of Dendermonde.
What do you always take to rehearsal?
My seat cushion! Because of Bechterew's disease, I quickly get a backache if I sit in the same position for too long. With the cushion I no longer suffer from this!
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
Our tour to Estonia!
Instrument: second violin, principal
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 1995
What do you do besides being a musician at Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I teach at the conservatory of Kortrijk. I also make time to perform in chamber music groups. In my spare time, I play the viola and sing in a choir. I also have an allotment in which I indulge by rooting in the soil and growing tasty vegetables.
Do you have a ritual before you go on stage?
No sooner than 10 minutes before the concert will start, I change into my concert outfit.
Instrument: second violin, soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 1986
What do you do besides being a musician at Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I teach violin, viola and ensemble at the academy of Aalter and occasionally play in various ensembles. Besides walking and reading, I also enjoy the everyday things in life. These bring me peace of mind.
Why did you choose your instrument?
I decided back in kindergarten that I wanted to play the violin after a concert visit with my parents. Unfortunately, I had to wait until fourth grade before I could start.
Who is your favourite composer and why?
Shostakovich. Because his music is very charged and on the melancholic, dramatic side.
Instrument: second violin, tutti
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2003
Why did you choose your instrument?
I played both violin and piano, but for my studies at the conservatory I had to choose between the two. My mum recommended the violin to me, because pianists are always ‘alone in their little room’ whereas with violin you can play in an orchestra and have more chances to play concerts.
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
The trip to La Roque-d'Anthéron in France: everyone was thrown into the pool then.
Do you have a ritual before you go on stage?
Taking a deep breath and playing a few musical notes.
When is a concert considered successful for you?
When something special happens musically.
Instrument: second violin, soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 1996
What is your favourite piece to play?
Within both orchestral and chamber music, I don't actually have a favourite piece, because every time I play something, I think, ‘How fantastic is this? How can you think of something like this and write it down?’
What was your most memorable concert with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
Oh, there are so many. But the concerts with the Ballet of Flanders conducted by Benjamin Pope will always stay with me.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
Flanders Symphony Orchestra is a micro society with the love of music as the common starting point and delighting the listener as the common goal.
Instrument: second violin, tutti
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2017
What is your favourite composer and why?
Stravinsky: he is the emperor of orchestration and president of timbre.
What do you do besides being a musician at Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I work in theatre as a creator and actor and am also active as a composer and arranger.
When is a concert considered successful for you?
When the joy of playing bursts from it!
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
Flanders Symphony Orchestra combines a sensitive fragility, easy accessibility for the public and artistic quality with a family-like character in its performances.
Instrument: second violin, tutti
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2009
What is your favourite piece to play?
All of Shostakovich's symphonies.
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
All the tours we have already done were memorable in several ways for me.
What do you always bring to rehearsals?
Chocolate :-)
What was your most memorable concert with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
The concert in Edinburgh with Janáček's Sinfonietta!
Instrument: second violin, tutti
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2023
Who is your favourite composer and why?
Richard Strauss: his music is always challenging.
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
The UK tour in 2024.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
Family!
What do you do besides being a musician with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I also study baroque violin.
What do you always bring to rehearsals?
A nice lunch and snacks!
Instrument: viola, principal
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2019
Why did you choose your instrument?
I first played violin and then switched to viola. Viola is not that famous so there is something to defend and to put in the spotlight. The sound range of a viola is also very close to the human voice.
What is your most memorable concert with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
The Bolero concert in 2024 with Duncan Ward. Mainly because of Luciano Berio's Folk songs that we performed.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
A big family.
What do you do besides being a musician with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I play in a string quartet, teach and conduct a young string orchestra in music school. I am an amateur baroque singer and also do tai chi and kung fu. The latter two help when I practise on my instrument.
What do you always bring to rehearsals?
A pen... no pen, no career ;-)
Instrument: viola, soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2012
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
Flanders Symphony Orchestra is a joyful and flexible orchestra, where the boundaries between stage and behind the scenes blur and many embrace each other both in music and friendship.
What is your most memorable concert with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
On the one hand, Janáček's Sinfonietta during the concert at Usher Hall in Edinburgh and, on the other hand, the children's performance ‘Symphony for False Note’. Diva Streeka's statements are still quoted during conversations in and outside the orchestra!
What do you always bring to rehearsals?
An eraser!