Charlie Aptroot succeeds Han Moraal, who is stepping down after fifteen aar, as chairman of the Friends of the Residentie Orkest Association (VVRO). The former mayor of Zoetermeer is obviously looking forward to it. "As a Friend of the Residentie Orkest , you get a look behind the scenes; I didn't know it was so much fun."

Charlie Aptroot is no stranger to the region - nor, in fact, to domestic politics. The 74-year-old native of Hagenaar, a longtime resident of Wassenaar, was a member of the House of Representatives for quite some time, worked as an entrepreneur, alderman, councilman and finally as mayor of Zoetermeer - a position he held for eight years. Unfortunately, when a board member of the Residentie Orkest called him a few years ago, asking if he might be interested in committing to the VVRO, he had to decline. "After I stopped in Zoetermeer, I spent a few years as acting mayor in other municipalities, so I didn't have the time. But last year that changed, when I retired for good, and so I reported back to the Residentie Orkest. They were looking for a new president for the VVRO, whether I wanted to do that: I was interested. I also immediately signed up as a Friend then, because I wasn't one yet."

Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto
After such a long and busy career, Aptroot knew he did not want to spend his retirement in complete stasis. "I want to remain active. And in doing so, I think it's important that I can still mean something to others socially. The position of president at the VVRO I can partly experience together with my wife, who used to miss me a lot. We will probably go to many concerts together. Yesterday, for example, we already went to the rehearsal of the New Year's concert together: Friends are allowed to attend that. Very special." He is not a true connoisseur of classical music, he admits, although he enjoys it immensely. From the age of seven to 12, he played the violin after becoming excited by listening to Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto . "I didn't study hard enough to get really good and then just quit," he said. But he still loves Tchaikovsky's Violin Conc erto, as well as the music of Verdi and Strauss, among others. "I love it when music has something harmonic. And it can be spectacular and exhilarating."

The power of music
During his long career, Aptroot did not have a huge amount of time to enjoy live classical music, but áf he saw the Residentie Orkest in action, he was blown away. "The other day I heard Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto again and it remains my favorite. It does so much for me. The chills ran down my spine. That's the power of music." But according to him, the Residentie Orkest is also special because it does so much more than perform the works of the great composers. "The orchestra is not only there for the regular group of enthusiasts, but does a lot to involve all the people of the city and region." He mentions the One Minute Symphony, where young composers are given the chance to write a piece and it is performed by the orchestra. Or the fact that the orchestra regularly performs into the city , reaching people who are usually less likely to come into contact with classical music. Or that children are taught by orchestra members and can borrow instruments. "Culture is binding. The Residentie Orkest is there for everyone. The VVRO supports these additional activities, which makes me very proud."

Lunch concerts and a gala
Aptroot looks forward to continuing to support these activities in the coming years. But he has even more plans for the VVRO. " Last membership has been doing well lately. Last year was our anniversary year, we were able to welcome many new members. And also were able to finance a new grand piano for the Residentie Orkest. The membership should at least remain stable but preferably: grow." His dream is also for the Residentie Orkest kest to give a concert in Zoetermeer a few times a year - although that is a personal ambition, he admits with a laugh. He also looks forward to the lunch concerts organized by the VVRO, and hopes that the idea of a gala will become a reality. All to build out the community around the orchestra and raise more money for its additional activities. "The next few years, politically, will be quite challenging for the cultural world. The municipality will undoubtedly continue to support the orchestra, but getting éxtra money will be difficult. This is where the VVRO is important. As a Friend, you can really make a difference."

Look behind the scenes
He emphasizes how happy the orchestra is with every new Friend - and how much beauty Friends of the orchestra receive in return. "Whoever becomes a Friend knows: this money is well spent, it really benefits the orchestra. Apart from that, you enjoy enormous extras. Friends can be the first to order tickets, go to extra concerts and activities ... like rehearsals, for example." Aptroots eyes begin to glaze over as he recounts the rehearsal of the New Year's Concert and the VVRO membership meeting. Part of the membership meeting included a master class by concertmaster Wouter Vossen. "It was so fascinating to see how he gave tips to violinists in training: from playing the violin and playing together to the tip 'turn toward the audience more while playing.' It's really awesome to get such a behind-the-scenes look. I didn't know a rehearsal and master class could be so fascinating to follow as a relative outsider. Afterwards we got to chat with some of the musicians. As a Friend, you can get to know the orchestra members themselves."

New generation
Aptroot is greatly looking forward to working with the board and the orchestra. "The atmosphere in the VVRO board and between the various active Residentie Orkest is incredibly good, everyone is hugely enthusiastic. As an ex-mayor, I bring my quality of being a good listener to my new chairmanship. Also, I'm good at making decisions, I'm sure that will come in handy as well." He is also looking forward to the many beautiful pieces of music he is sure to experience. "The other day I was at a concert where it was clear that the cellist loved his cello immensely and it seemed a bit like the cello loved him too. That symbiosis was wonderful to see. For such an experience, you really have to experience music live. It's incredible what people can get out of wood, strings and brass, isn't it? Really quite amazing!" From his son, who himself plays in a death metal band - "not exactly my music" - Aptroot was already given the task, as chairman, of picking a concert to attend with his grandchildren. "My son wants to introduce his children to classical music. He himself plays bass guitar, but that's the beauty: all those genres are allowed to coexist. And I find it a privilege to bring a new generation into contact with classical music in this way."
Grete Simkuté