Every year, the SOV Composers' Academy offers the chance to two to three composers studying at Belgian conservatories to complete a course of several months with the orchestra. During workshops, working sessions and orchestra rehearsals, their compositions are moulded and carefully considered. The final result will be presented to the public during a concert series by Flanders Symphony Orchestra.
Project in collaboration with Muziekcentrum De Bijloke and DE SINGEL.
For the 2026–27 season, we are looking for three composers, each at a different stage of their development:
The deadline for applications is 22 February 2026 at 9:00 a.m.
Download the full call for 2026-27 here.
SOV Composers' Academy is a project for composition students and graduates of the Belgian conservatoires. The project offers the opportunity to compose an orchestral work in a protected and supportive environment. Depending on the project, the process may include a preparatory meeting, working sessions, coaching and/or rehearsals. The highlight is always the performance of the work during a concert series by Symfonieorkest Vlaanderen / SOV Young at the major venues across Flanders.
SOV Composers' Academy 2025-26 selected three composers at different stages of their education or career. The chosen composers will be challenged to write new works that dialogue with the repertoire of our concert programmes. They will again work together intensively with our orchestra and directly experience how notes come to life in the concert hall. This collaboration provides room for adjustments and valuable feedback from our musicians, creating a stimulating trial-and-error experience.
During the “Mozart Central” project, Obe Vermeulen (°2001) composes a work that fits perfectly within the concert programme. Linde Huygens (°1997) will compose a one-minute-symphony for SOV Young's autumn project. Finally, Adrien Sassier (°1996) will draw inspiration from his musical roots for the “Roots” concert series.
Obe Vermeulen (born 2001) has already studied at some of the most prestigious classical music institutes in Europe. A new composition department was created especially for him at the Lemmens Institute when he was 15. He obtained his Bachelor's degree at the Royal Conservatory of Ghent, where he studied under Dirk Brossé and Daan Janssens. In 2024, he graduated with degrees in composition, film composition, and orchestral conducting from the Royal College of Music in London. He was the first recipient of the Andrew Downes Award there. He is currently studying 'Writing & Production for Musical Theatre' at Berklee NYC.
His creation will be performed during the “Mozart Central” concert series in November 2025.
Linde Huygens (born 1997) is in her third year of a Bachelor's degree in Classical Music Composition at the Brussels Conservatory, studying under Annelies Van Parys. She grew up in a musical family and studied the piano at the SAMWD Academy in Lier as a child. Her musical influences range from world and folk music to jazz, hip hop, pop and classical. She also holds a Master's degree in Architecture from Sint-Lucas Ghent and Brussels. To further expand her musical knowledge, she is taking electives in jazz and jazz trumpet at the Schaarbeek music academy.
She is currently working on a one-minute symphony for the autumn project of SOV Young.
Adrien Sassier (born 1996) combines 20th-century French influences with Russian, American and even Germanic influences. He is also open to electronic extensions. His music is colourful and lively and contains flashes of humour. He composes for film, theatre and concerts.
His creation will premiere at the “Roots” concert series in March 2026.
As a young artist, you need talent to stand out from the crowd, but playing opportunities and a professional environment with room for experimentation are at least as important. Through various programmes, Flanders Symphony Orchestra offers talented composers, conductors, musicians and aspiring soloists a taste of orchestral life.
