As a regular visitor, you undoubtedly know or recognize her: Marijke Busquet. A tall lady, neatly dressed and always cheerful. With years of experience as an executive secretary at several large companies, in 2002 she was the right person to become secretary of the Friends of the Residentie Orkest. A year later, membership administration was added, a task she still enjoys doing twice a week.

"When I stopped working, I wanted to enjoy fun things and interact with new people. By chance I came across an appeal in the orchestra's magazine to become a board member of the Society of Friends and the rest is history. My interest in classical music and the Residentie Orkest in particular - in my early childhood I already went to the school concerts conducted by Willem van Otterloo, where we mainly giggled a lot - came together in this way very nicely. Thanks to a number of friends, I also became more intensely involved with music. They taught me a lot and lasting friendships were formed. I still cherish those!"

"One of the highlights I did think was the orchestra's centennial and the collaboration with the Nederlands Danstheater in the performance 'Synergy.' I went three times, that was so special. Or the Alpine Symphony by Richard Strauss conducted by Marin Alsop, the first woman to experience it as a conductor. I'll also never forget meeting King Willem-Alexander during the orchestra's 115th anniversary. But perhaps the finest moment was the Friends trip with a close-knit group of Friends to Rougeux, France. The reception at the home of percussionist Luuk Nagtegaal, the concert in the beautiful church there, being close to the music and the musicians, it was a party."

Does she have another wish for the 75th anniversary of the Friends Association? "That the Friends will exist for many years to come. I think it's great to see that there are so many Friends who care about the orchestra, that they are Friends not because of the benefits but really because of the orchestra."