• Student

Wanted: a maestro for Ensuite

Can Frank Baaijens, the man who as rector magnificus has been in charge of TU/e since 2014, also keep a classical orchestra in line? We will find out on December 8th when he takes part in a concert given by student symphonic orchestra Ensuite, part of student association ESMG Quadrivium, in the style of the TV program Maestro. He will battle it out against three other contestants.

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photo Ensuite

To mark ESMG Quadrivium's eleventh lustrum, the sub-association Ensuite is organizing a Maestro project. The name ‘Maestro’ comes from the television program of the same name in which inexperienced conductors are judged on their conducting talents. This is no TU/e-only activity. Winston Schilp, an Ensuite trumpeter and commissioner, “One of our aims this lustrum year is to bring Quadrivium to the attention of a wider public. This includes high schools, with an eye to future members, and the commercial world, which may lead to sponsorship contacts.”

'Maestro' Baaijens . Photo | Ensuite

Ensuite has therefore sought contestants both on and off the campus, and in addition to Frank Baaijens has also enthused Monique List, the Eindhoven alderman for culture. Also taking the stage will be Master's student of Innovation Science Evelien Nieuwenburg and Norbine Schalij, Cursor editor (and author of this article).These four will each conduct two short pieces by, for example, Bizet, Brahms, Schubert and Prokofiev. The jury will include professional conductors. “If you've waved your arms around until you are blue in the face, you're entitled to get good feedback,” says Winston.

“Appearances may be deceptive, but conducting isn't easy,” he goes on. “However, the participants are being well prepared with four coaching sessions. The rector has already completed his first. “He was clearly outside his comfort zone and barely knew what 'four beats to the bar' was, but he seems to be naturally talented because in the space of an evening he got the hang of it.”

Winston Schilp. Photo | Ensuite

Trumpet player Winston is used to professional conductors. “That's a completely different kettle of fish. An amateur might forget to mark the first beat of the bar once in a while, which leaves me confused. Still, I'll try to carry on, focusing on the concertmaster, the first violinist seated at the conductor's left hand. Then I'm okay.”

Commissioned composition

On Sunday December 8th, as well as the Maestro event, there will be a performance of a completely new composition by Reza Namavar. He wrote ‘In de blauwe nacht’ (In the blue night) as a commissioned work for KONSO, the umbrella organization for student orchestras. From November until February, this piece will be performed twenty-five times by twelve student orchestras, in various concert halls across the Netherlands.

In Eindhoven this special concert will be conducted by Ensuite's regular conductor Bart Partouns, who during the afternoon will also conduct Schubert's Rosamunde overture. According to Winston, the commissioned composition is starkly different from the classical 'golden oldies' of the maestros. “We'll be hearing modern music with plenty of changes in the meter and interesting harmonies.”

The concert will be held on Sunday December 8th at 4 p.m. in Atlas. Tickets can be bought for €10 (€5 for students) from SG.

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