Emerging artist in residence Chloe Rooke
'I want to be a family member of the orchestra'
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In the winter of 2023-2024, Chloe Rooke was a coach on the TV show Maestro. Next season, the conductor herself will show and hear how it's done. As emerging artist in residence, she is involved in everything that makes Residentie Orkest the Residentie Orkest .
'There's a lot of discussion about Maestro,' Chloe Rooke drops in. 'But the point is to give both viewers and contestants an idea of the conducting profession. I can't teach them conducting in that short time, but I can teach them the feel and character of a piece. And the fun you can have on stage.
She laughs her disarming smile, "I love teaching. It's beautiful to make students and also Maestro participants feel that they can communicate with their bodies, with that raw energy. But my great love is conducting.
Definition of passion
She doesn't even have to add that Last . The 1996-born Englishwoman is the walking definition of passion on stage. Chloe doesn't lead an orchestra, she challenges the musicians piece by piece to give the very best they have to offer. 'And that's even though I grew up without any real classical music around me. As a child I was interested in musical, theater and piano. Until I got my grandfather's flute and my parents took me to flute lessons.'
Her love for classical music grew and she began studying flute. "I didn't have the idea of becoming a performing musician. To get to know the flute repertoire better, I took a conducting class once. That's where the spark jumped.
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Perfect cycling
After studying in England, she came to The Hague for the National Master of Orchestra Conducting in which the Residentie Orkest also participates. She settled in the court city and her talent caught the eye. 'As far as I'm concerned, I will stay here forever. I love the city. The beach is nearby and you can bike perfectly. In that respect, my appointment as emerging artist in residence has come at a perfect time.'
Moreover, the appointment brings together several of Chloe's passions. 'For at least three years, I will be involved in everything concerning the orchestra. I love the concert setting, but I also love reaching different audiences with new concert formulas. Or to work on education projects. I really want to be a family member of the orchestra.
She will be on the staff of four very diverse concert programs next season and is further involved in educational, community and other projects. 'I am tremendously excited about the variety of concerts. Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, a family concert with Swan Lake and a concert with a new work by Klaas de Vries for a huge orchestra that includes conservatory students.'
"Chloe Rooke is a rock-solid conductor and interested in everything the orchestra does. Thus, she will also go out into the districts of The Hague with our musicians!"
- Sven Arne Tepl, general and artistic director Residentie Orkest
Not always studying
She can't wait to work with Klaas de Vries and execute his Cada Instante. 'Bringing new ideas to life, creating clarity and getting everyone behind the work, I love that. And at the Residentie Orkest that's easy. The orchestra plays everything, and also with great passion. It is an orchestra with tremendous respect and love for the music. And it enjoys a subscription concert with Mozart as much as I do the energy and excitement of children at a family concert.
Chloe Rooke lives music, that much is clear. 'Still, it's important not to always be studying, busy with music, but also to read a book sometimes, ride a bike, go to the beach. You have to water your own garden that way too; it only makes the music speak louder. And my biggest goal remains simply to work every day with musicians who are just as passionate as I am.