My Musical Journey with Orchest-Vereeniging Dordrecht
I first joined Orchest-Vereeniging Dordrecht when I was just fifteen years old, playing in the second violin section (at a time when the hierarchy within the orchestra was still very visible). By the age of eighteen I was appointed concertmaster, a position I proudly held for three years.
When I turned twenty-one, however, I decided to follow another musical passion: the French horn. Since then, I have been playing in the horn section, at the back of the orchestra, every Wednesday evening, a routine that has become an inseparable part of my life.
This year marks my 43rd season with the orchestra. Over the decades, I have played under seven of the nine conductors who have led the ensemble since its founding in 1883. That doesn’t mean I am that old, but it does show how deeply rooted this orchestra is in my life and in the city of Dordrecht.
A Historic Orchestra
The Orchest-Vereeniging Dordrecht is one of the oldest amateur symphony orchestras in the Netherlands. It was founded on December 21, 1883, with Willem Kes as its first conductor. Kes would go on to establish the famous Concertgebouw Orchestra in Amsterdam just five years later.
The orchestra’s very first concert took place on April 3, 1884, with works by Beethoven, Mozart, Berlioz, and Mendelssohn. Since then, Orchest-Vereeniging has welcomed renowned soloists, premiered works, and played an important role in the cultural life of Dordrecht. Today, about 50 dedicated musicians come together every Wednesday evening to rehearse, and the orchestra presents three concerts each year.
Why I Keep Coming Back
For me, music is much more than a hobby. Playing in an orchestra means listening, responding, and building something greater together. Each rehearsal and each performance is a new challenge, a fresh inspiration, and a reminder of the joy of making music with others.
Through all these years, I have seen repertoire evolve, conductors come and go, new members join, and long-standing friends move on. But one thing remains: the magic of Wednesday evenings when notes on a page transform into sound, energy, and shared experience.