Organ class of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam 2.54

The organ department of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam is proud of its long tradition of highly qualified education. Illustrious organists such as Anthon van der Horst, Albert de Klerk, Piet Kee, Ewald Kooiman, Hans van Nieuwkoop and Jacques van Oortmerssen taught at the department for many years. Among the renowned alumni who studied organ in Amsterdam are Jan Raas, Leo van Doeselaar, Ben van Oosten and Masaaki Suzuki. And the youngest generation of organists also proves our educational quality: students and graduates regularly stand a good chance at reputed organ competitions at home and abroad.

The organ department offers a varied study programme, which is based on playing historical organs. A number of wonderful and famed organs in and near Amsterdam are used, including the Christian Müller organ at the St. Bavo and the Cavaillé-Coll organ at the Philharmonie in Haarlem, the Müller organ at the Waalse Church, the Philbert/Adema organ at the Moses and Aaron Church and the Bätz organ at the Round Lutherean Church in Amsterdam, and the Van Covelens and Van Hagerbeer/Schnitger organ at the St. Laurens Church in Alkmaar.

To stimulate students into becoming versatile, high-level musicians, extensive attention is paid not only to the interpretation of organ music ranging from Early to contemporary, but also to improvisation. The basis for improvising is formed in the course ‘Keyboard Musicianship’. In addition, Miklos Spanyi teaches historical improvisation in monthly group lessons. Collaboration with other departments offers students the opportunity to gain interesting experiences and to develop new perspectives.

Each year the regular curriculum is enriched with many activities, such as masterclasses by renowned visiting teachers from the Netherlands and abroad, concerts (including lunch concerts), projects and excursions. During the academic year 2015-2016, internationally celebrated Louis Robilliard, organist of the Cavaillé-Coll organ at the St. François de Sales Church in Lyon, will give three masterclasses and lessons on French repertory from the 19th and 20th centuries. For these lessons a limited number of places are available to outside students.