International Conductors Retreat, 3-9 August 2020

(Click here for video-reportage).

Organisation/Lectures: Karel Deseure, Antony Hermus, Ed Spanjaard

Guest-lectures: Mart Blom, Carla Leurs, Kay Pollak, Benjamin Zander

supported by Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Kersjesfonds

After the past six months, that were marked by complete withering of the music life and the rather distant teaching via Zoom, there was a big need of both professors and students to once again be engaged in the profession of conducting in a concrete, physical way. This was the reason for Antony, Karel Deseure and Ed Spanjaard to find a way of reconnecting with our students and to our profession of conducting. The main objective of this week was to give students the opportunity to conduct an ensemble again, and also to get to work with the many practical and mental aspects of orchestral conducting.

The word "retreat" - other than "masterclass", "workshop" or "course" -was chosen conscious, because it was important for the mentors to give this week an approach as holistic and broad as possible, with plenty of room for reflection. "The conductor as a versatile artist" was the main theme - in all its facets. So there we went.

It resulted in an incredible week.

Magical place Otterlo, in a rural, nature setting. Forest walk, setting intentions. Morning gymnastics. Intense conducting sessions, supported by our wonderful “Conductorsretreat-mini-orchestra’s”. Poetry evening. Extremely powerful days with fabulous and decisive haptonomist Mart Blom and marvelous soloist Carla Leurs. And... beautiful presents of the universe by unscheduled visits and discussions with Benjamin "Art of Possibility" Zander and Kay Pollak, director of “As it is in heaven”. Kröller-Müller. And the very moving end-ritual with the “letter-assignment”.

Eight courageous conductors. Three inventive, warm and visionary mentors. Shaping leaders of the future. With many thanks to Conservatorium van Amsterdam and Kersjesfonds.

As Hannibal said: “I love it, when a plan comes together…”