Instrument: horn, second soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 1984
Why did you choose your instrument?
I was fascinated by the sound.
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
Being able to make music among friends.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
An orchestra built on friendship that performs at a high level, respects newcomers and has a loyal audience.
What do you do besides being a musician with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
My main job is teaching.
Instrument: trombone, first soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2023
Why did you choose your instrument?
Music was instilled in me from the very beginning. As a child, I often went along to the concerts of my father, who is mainly active in the Dixieland world. His music had a great impact on me: I played the CD he had once recorded endlessly. It even became a ritual to turn on that CD before going to bed. To this day, I can sing along to every song!
My father plays the trombone. So it was almost inevitable that I wanted to play the same instrument. Constantly seeing and hearing his trombone made the choice logical and inevitable. And now, years later, I have never regretted it for a moment. I would never want to choose another instrument - the trombone feels like a piece of who I am.
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
Even though my career here is not that extensive yet, one moment will always stay with me: when I was officially told that I could be part of this wonderful orchestra. I received that news on the last day of our UK tour, an unforgettable journey in which I was able to gain so many wonderful experiences and meet wonderful colleagues. It felt like a dream come true. A validation of all my hard work and passion for music.
That the news came exactly on that day made it extra special: together with the wind section, we now had twice as much reason to celebrate. It became a festive conclusion to the tour during which we played the requiem (which is also not so evident for solo trombone) and which thus, both personally and professionally, enriched me tremendously. The sense of connection, the shared passion for music and the warmth of the orchestra ensured that this moment will remain in my heart for a long time to come.
When is a concert considered successful for you?
A concert feels successful when I have been able to contribute my share to the bigger picture. The trombone is a functional instrument and it is precisely this role that suits me enormously. It is my job to contribute to the overall concept, to complete the musical puzzle and ensure that others within the concert are given the space to shine. If I have been able to do that to my own standards, with precision and musical intention, then the picture is complete for me. It gives a great feeling to know that my playing is an important link and that, together with my colleagues, I have put down something beautiful that the audience can really enjoy.
Instrument: trumpet, leader
With Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen since: 2003
Who is your favourite composer?
John Williams is my favourite composer because of his versatility. Every film score has its own character and these have often become monuments in the film world that are immediately recognisable to audiences. His orchestral and solo works are also gems.
What is your fondest memory of Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen?
I already have many fond memories of Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen but what stays with me are the tours to England and Scotland. The United Kingdom is a wonderful country to cross and has wonderful venues to play in.
What do you do besides being a musician with Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen?
I teach at the academy in Deinze and am an avid BBQ'er.
Instrument: trumpet, second soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 1994
Who is your favourite composer and why?
Beethoven: the drive and passion I experience in his symphonies greatly impress me. To then be able to play these works on a natural trumpet, which was also done in his time, makes the challenge even greater and the experience richer.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
Enthusiastically making music with friends!
What is your fondest memory of Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
The first concert trip to Brighton. We played two concerts in one week and had a few days off in between to explore the city and the region. We even travelled by train to London for a day.
Instrument: percussion, second soloist
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2015
Why did you choose your instrument?
I love my instrument because of the energy you can put into it: sometimes subtly with one fingertip and other times full-on with your whole body.
What is your favourite piece to play?
Any piece of music full of energy and with drive, groove and rhythm.
Describe Flanders Symphony Orchestra in one sentence?
A cosy gang with humour and a passion for music.
When is a concert considered successful?
A concert is successful when I have experienced a pleasant energy on stage such as emotions of joy, tension, excitement and a delight in playing.
Instrument: harp
With Flanders Symphony Orchestra since: 2005
Why did you choose your instrument?
A lucky coincidence! I already played violin and piano and spent a good many hours at the academy. A new harp class was set up, but there were hardly any students at the time. Since I was at the academy that day anyway, the headmistress asked if I wanted to start harp as well.
What do you do besides being a musician with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
I teach young harpists at the conservatories of Ghent and Brussels and have also been associated for years as a harp teacher at Academy De Kunstbrug. Furthermore, I can express my artistic talents in the productions I make with the ensemble Revue Blanche, in which Caroline Peeters (first flautist of SOV) also plays!
Do you have a ritual before you go on stage?
Tuning... I can't tune behind the scene, because my instrument is already on stage. But I do enjoy those few minutes of tuning on stage as the audience slowly trickles into the hall.
What is your most memorable concert with Flanders Symphony Orchestra?
A concert I will not forget easily was a few years ago in the Netherlands. We were performing Sibelius' beautiful First Symphony and Kristiina Poska fell ill! Martijn Dendievel then came to fill in at the last minute. There was a palliative patient in the hall that day who wished to hear Sibelius live one last time. We saw his sickbed at the end of the hall and suddenly that concert was about life and death. Martijn threw himself into that evening and took the whole orchestra to another level.