Concertgebouworkest Academy celebrates 25th anniversary: "You learn to play at the highest level"

The Academy of the Royal Concertgebouworkest is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year, marking a quarter-century of providing young musicians with the opportunity to train and perform alongside a world-class orchestra. To commemorate the milestone, former and current students have gathered in Amsterdam for a special anniversary concert. The rehearsal, held at the Q-Factory under the baton of conductor Klaus Mäkelä, features nearly one hundred musicians, including founding member and cellist Tom van Lent. Queen Máxima, the patron of the orchestra, is scheduled to attend the celebratory performance this evening.

Since its inception, the Academy has evolved into an expansive international institution. Young talents, such as flutist Teresa de Broeck, undergo rigorous blind auditions to secure a spot, where they are then paired with professional mentors to refine their skills. According to alumni, the program offers a unique professional experience that surpasses traditional conservatory training by immersing students in the operations of a top-tier orchestral machine under the guidance of world-renowned conductors.