VVRO chairman Han Moraal bids farewell
"The Hague cannot do without the orchestra. That is what we as the Society of Friends have contributed to"
After no less than fifteen years, former attorney general Han Moraal is stepping down as president of the Friends of the Residentie Orkest (VVRO) Association. With pride, he looks back on the development the association and the orchestra have undergone in that time. "The Residentie Orkest has worked its way deep into the fabric of the city. The Hague could not exist without the orchestra. We as an association have contributed to that."
Han Moraal remembers it exactly: it was November 2009 when he was elected president by the General Assembly of the Friends of the Residentie Orkest . For the next fifteen years he would dedicate himself to the VVRO: recruiting new friends for the orchestra, managing their contributions, supporting special projects - and so much more, about which later in this piece. "It happened so fast," he says. "Before the Last General Assembly, when I had decided to step down, I started thinking: would I have been president for ten years now? It turned out to be fifteen years. Time really flies when you are doing fun things and this presidency was really one of my most enjoyable activities."
"Time really flies when you are doing fun things and this presidency was really one of my most enjoyable activities."
- Han Moral
Bond with orchestra
Moraal is now retired but worked in the legal world all his life; he was a prosecutor, attorney general and had managerial duties. "In those days, in my spare time I went with my wife to concerts of the Residentie Orkest. To be honest, I was not a friend of the orchestra at that time. The then president approached me: whether I was interested in taking over his position. After coming along to a board meeting, I immediately said yes. I thought it would be great fun to broaden my connection with the orchestra. I also thought it was important to give something back to society in the form of volunteer work. So what could be more fun if you can combine that with something you feel a love for, in this case classical music?"
Mozart in the background
Moraal was not professionally involved with music - at least not in that way. "Always when I was studying or working - and still now - I preferred to have music on. Then I can think better. That is sometimes symphonic rock from the 1970s and 1980s, but also often classical music. The requiems of Fauré, Mozart or Duruflé are some favorites." For his work, he was also frequently abroad, where local concert halls were regular fixtures. After he became president of the VVRO, visiting concerts abroad - be it China, Canada or Argentina - became an even more prominent activity. "Then you want to compare, eh," Moraal said.
Good atmosphere
Through those trips abroad, Moraal saw even more how quality and unique the Residentie Orkest is. "It definitely ranks among the top three symphony orchestras in the Netherlands. And it can also compete on a world level. I'm proud of that. And it's also just a really nice club of people. Everyone is respectful to each other, there is a very nice interaction. It is often thought, for example in the business world, that the best performance comes from hard work. But it is precisely through a bonding atmosphere that people come to glory, as is evident here."
Warm bond
That good atmosphere and the fine bond he had with the orchestra members and staff was one of the reasons Moraal continued to fulfill his role as president for so long with enthusiasm. But of course, the association itself and the wonderful activities associated with it were equally important. The VVRO was founded in 1945 and has since grown into a lively organisation that has 1500 members (friends). People who care about the orchestra can become a Friend from as little as sixty euros per season. "In my opinion, you become a Friend for two reasons," Moraal explains. "On the one hand, you want to develop a warm relationship with the orchestra. As a Friend, you can go to rehearsals, special concerts and lectures, for example, where there is plenty of room to talk to the orchestra members. In addition, you make a financial contribution with which you truly support the orchestra. We as VVRO manage that income. That's really a not-to-be-underestimated amount with which we make great projects possible every year, which we as a board think about carefully. Those are really great things."
Donating instruments
Among the projects made possible with the support of the friends are the "giving actions," for example. As president, Moraal has donated instruments to the orchestra on a stage several times in recent years. "That's really great to do," Moraal beams. "The orchestra members are SO happy about that." In addition, the VVRO supports the One Minute Symphony project, through which the Residentie Orkest offers young composers from the Royal Conservatory a stage. Of course there are also special concerts that can come about with the grants from the Friends, for example lunch concerts or chamber concerts in the Nieuwe Kerk. Moraal is also very proud of the educational projects to which the VVRO contributes, bringing classical music to The Hague schools and neighborhoods. "The bond with the city is strengthened this way. The Residentie Orkest is there for all the people of The Hague. This is another reason why I am so incredibly proud of this orchestra. In recent years the bond with the city has been strengthened even more. The Hague could not exist without the orchestra."
Diversiteit
After fifteen years, Moraal has called it "enough" and is looking forward to passing the baton to his successor, but not before reflecting on a number of highlights. And there were plenty of those. Because Moraal has not only contributed to the Residentie Orkest, the orchestra has also given him a lot. "My general love for classical music has only deepened. I was able to experience great concerts of Mahler and Beethoven, but also with Paul van Vliet or the band Di-Rect... It is precisely in this diversity that Residentie Orkest excels. It was also very special to experience all three concert halls: the Dr. Anton Philipszaal, the Strandtheater and now Amare... Amare really stands out. Three cultural institutions together: brilliant!"
"I have been able to experience great concerts, from Mahler, Beethoven, but also with Paul van Vliet or the band Di-Rect... It is precisely in this diversity that Residentie Orkest excels."
- Han Moral
Worthy successor
Moraal is confident that the orchestra and the VVRO will continue to flourish in the future. "The orchestra has grown in quality even more in recent years. The musicians really enjoy playing, that is very clear. Under the inspiring leadership of Sven Arne Tepl, this development will only continue. And the VVRO is an enduring part of this musical environment. People like to bind themselves to the orchestra; that way it becomes a bit of theirs after all. That connection with the outside world is something the orchestra does very well. Of course it is unfortunate that I am now leaving this beautiful world, but it is good that a new chairman will now look at VVRO with fresh eyes. And will put his shoulders to the wheel." That successor is Charlie Aptroot, former mayor of Zoetermeer. A worthy successor, as far as Moraal is concerned. "I am sure he will find his way in the presidency. I'm especially not going to get in his way, but I'm sure we'll have another coffee."
Honorary member
Completely away from the Residentie Orkest Moraal will not be: he was appointed an honorary member by the General Assembly at the recommendation of the board. "I find that extremely honorable," he says. "In everything I do, whether it was my work as attorney general or as president at the association, I try to bind people together. To get the best out of something together. That's what I've tried to do here, too. I leave knowing that the orchestra has really improved over the past 15 years - artistically, business-wise and in its position in the city - and that the VVRO has contributed to that. That's very fulfilling." Moraal also - finally, for the first time - becomes a friend of the Residentie Orkest himself. Laughing, "Yes, yes, after fifteen years I am finally going to consummate the friendship. The circle is complete."
Grete Simkuté