Annual report 2023: Development
Nurturing talent
Re-Mix Orchestra
The Re-Mix Orchestra was launched as a socialeducational initiative in 2007. A group of forty young musicians between the ages of 12 and 23 form a new orchestra under the baton of Paul Griffiths. Griffiths also coaches the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra’s own musicians to ensure a seamless experience and concert. In 2023, the Re-Mix Orchestra took part in Re-Mix XXL at the Queen Elisabeth Hall (07.05.2023) and played an open-air concert at Sint-Jansplein (03.09.2023).
Antwerps Jeugdorkest & Youth Orchestra Flanders
The orchestra offers the new generation of young talented musicians an opportunity to gain orchestral experience in a professional setting. The Antwerps Jeugdorkest (AJO) is coached by musicians of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra. The Youth Orchestra Flanders (YOF) is a project that was developed in partnership with the Brussels Philharmonic and the Symphony Orchestra of Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, with support of the Government of Flanders. Both youth orchestras performed two orchestral projects in 2023, allowing a total of some 240 orchestral experiences to be offered.
Baron Swerts Academy, the orchestra academy of the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra
In 2018, Antwerp Symphony Orchestra launched the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra Academy in Belgium; a pioneering initiative that offers young, talented musicians the opportunity to gain valuable orchestral experience within a professional environment. They perform in at least 10 orchestral productions and are coached by orchestra members. In addition, the academy members receive individual lessons, workshops and audition training, and perform their own chamber music programme at venues throughout Antwerp. In 2023, 14 young musicians participated (6 academy students in 2022-2023, 8 academy students in 2023-2024).
After five successful years, the orchestra proudly announced a new milestone for the Academy in December 2023. Vic Swerts, founder of Soudal, committed himself as the official main sponsor of this talent collaboration. In recognition of his generous support, the Academy will henceforth go through life as the "Baron Swerts Academy".
Broadening our audience
Met innovatieve en drempelverlagende formats nodigt Antwerp Symphony steevast een jong en divers publiek uit om van klassieke muziek te genieten in de Koningin Elisabethzaal.
Tijdens de Clubconcerten maken nieuwsgierige liefhebbers van klassieke muziek kennis met de energie van een symfonisch orkest. Een bekende MC praat de avond aan elkaar en zorgt voor een ontspannen sfeer. In 2023 werden deze concerten gehost door comedians William Boeva en Jade Mintjens.
Bij de filmconcerten brengt Antwerp Symphony live de soundtrack bij bekende blockbusters, waardoor een grootschalige, symfonische ervaring ontstaat. In 2023 trok Jurassic Park zo’n 3.000 film- en muziekliefhebbers naar de Koningin Elisabethzaal.
Daarnaast organiseert het orkest verschillende concerten buiten de Koningin Elisabethzaal, om het brede publiek te laten kennismaken met symfonische muziek. Tijdens Antwerp Symphony Orchestra Mobiel brengt een kamerorkestensemble van het orkest een gevarieerd en toegankelijk programma op verschillende locaties in de stad. Zo gingen de musici in 2023 bij volgende locaties op bezoek: Hof Ter Schelde, Forensisch Psychiatrisch Centrum, PZ Campus Amedeus Multiversum Mortsel, Dienstverleningscentrum Zevenbergen Ranst.
The Antwerp Symphony invites a young, diverse audience to enjoy classical music in the Queen Elisabeth Hall, developing a range of innovative, accessible formats.
During the Clubconcerts, (curious) classical music lovers can experience the power and energy of a symphony orchestra first-hand. A well-known MC is the host for the evening, helping to create a relaxed atmosphere. In 2023, these concerts were hosted by William Boeva and Jade Mintjens.
During its film concerts, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra performs the soundtrack to famous blockbusters live to create a grandiose, symphonic experience. In 2023, Jurassic Park attracted some 3,000 film and music lovers to the Queen Elisabeth Hall.
In addition to this, the orchestra also organises various concerts to introduce a wide audience to symphonic music outside the Queen Elisabeth Hall. As part of Antwerp Symphony Mobiel, a chamber orchestra ensemble of the orchestra performs a varied, accessible programme in various venues throughout the city. Thus, in 2023, the musicians visited the following locations: Hof Ter Schelde, Forensisch Psychiatrisch Centrum, PZ Campus Amedeus Multiversum Mortsel and Dienstverleningscentrum Zevenbergen Ranst.
The orchestra
Antwerp Symphony Orchestra organised five auditions for new orchestra members in 2023, finding a new member for the cello section, which joins the orchestra in March 2024. In addition, two auditions for the Antwerp Youth Orchestra and five auditions for the Baron Swerts Academy were organised.