Each Friend is connected to the Residentie Orkest in their own way. One has been coming to the Residentie Orkest since the school concerts conducted by Willem van Otterloo, the other is discovering a city of dance, theater, film and the Residentie Orkest in The Hague. We speak with two Friends.

Marijke Busquet, former board member and still responsible as a volunteer for the membership administration of the Friends: "When I stopped working, I wanted to enjoy fun things and get in touch with new people. By chance, I came across a call in the orchestra's magazine to become a board member of the Friends Association 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 especially 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. But perhaps the best moment of all was the trip with a close group of Friends to Rougeux, France. The welcome in the house of percussionist Luuk Nagtegaal, the concert in the beautiful church there, being close to the music and the musicians, it was a party."  

"The love for classical music was instilled in me by my parents," says now 53-year-old HR consultant Louise Koopman "I consider that one of the most beautiful things I have inherited. Classical music is a common thread in my life, first in Amsterdam but now for twenty years in The Hague. That fortunately also turned out to be a real city with dance, theater, film and the Residentie Orkest. Only later did I discover that there was also a Society of Friends, although it took a while before I became a member. Of course there are fun workshops, the rehearsal visits and the meetings with other Friends at concerts, but the fact that young children are included in the richness of music thanks to the association's contribution touched my heart. I was happy to become a Friend for that. I also think that the orchestra has been playing better and better over the years, they can really compete with the greats. But friendship should also mean being there in less good times, should they come." 

What do they wish for the 75-year-old Friends Association?  

Marijke: "May the Friends continue for many years to come. I think it's fantastic 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." 

"Stay young at heart," is the motto Louise would like to wish the 75-year-old Society of Friends. "Stay fresh and receptive to the future, and support great projects like the One Minute Symphony, through which the Residentie Orkest gives young composers a stage. Convince other people that being a Friend of the Residentie Orkest is important, for the future of cultural life in The Hague and of classical music in particular. As an ambassador, I endorse that wholeheartedly."