Discover the Orchestra is a three-year music programme in which the Residentie Orkest, in collaboration with KOO, introduces 1,200 schoolchildren from The Hague to professional classical music practice. The children visit the Residentie Orkest and orchestra members visit their schools. Together they explore the world of notes, timbre, rhythms and sounds. These unforgettable musical experiences allow children to discover that they are part of a vast, creative reality that extends far beyond their schools and neighbourhoods.

The Conducting Project for children in their last year of primary school is made possible by the support of the Friends of the Residentie Orkest. The children get to conduct an ensemble at school and the entire orchestra at Amare. For many of them, this is the highlight of the Discover the Orchestra programme.

In the One Minute Symphony project, the Residentie Orkest gives composition students the opportunity to write a short piece for the orchestra. The orchestra performs their short compositions prior to the Symphonic Friday concerts. It's an exciting project for the composer, conductor, musicians and visitors alike. Additionally, One Minute Symphony XL gives two of the most talented young composers of the season the opportunity to write a longer composition for a special occasion during the year. Thanks to the support of our Friends, the students receive fair financial compensation for their work.

The National Master of Music in Orchestral Conducting (NMO) is a prestigious two-year master's programme offered jointly by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire The Hague. During the programme, students attend various masterclasses with the orchestra and are given the opportunity to conduct the orchestra under supervision. The programme also involves feedback sessions with concertmasters and other section leaders, and our chief conductor Anja Bihlmaier actively participates in mentoring the students. This is how our Friends contribute to nurturing a new generation of conductors who can hold their own in the professional music world.
 

Music is our instrument, but not our ultimate goal. We see that not all residents in The Hague have the chance to experience a concert at Amare. This is why we take the orchestra to the people, performing in many of the local neighbourhoods. As part of this effort, we give a free annual concert at Juliana Plaza in the Transvaal district of the city. This is only possible with our Friends’ support.

Our performances in the local community help create closer connections among residents and offer them the opportunity to experience the power of music. We have seen that these concerts are successful and Transvaal residents have become more inclined to visit Amare. 

Friends of the Residentie Orkest help make it possible for us to host concerts in the Nieuwe Kerk. Musicians of the orchestra put together their own programmes for these intimate concerts and share insights about their selections during the performance. They invite the audience to join them on musical journeys characterised by moments of tranquility, power and inspiration.