By Laura van der Laan
Between April 6 and April 12, a band of students will tour across the Netherlands and present all that they have been working so hard to perfect: their classical musical masterpieces. These students make up the Nederlands Studenten Kamerorkest, rather known as Nesko, which is an orchestra of students that are selected anew each year to come together, create music, and perform as a unit. Middelburg will be seeing the likes of these talented young students on April 11th, who will perform four wonderful compositions. In addition, the concert includes a fantastic soloist, Maria Milstein, who has been heralded across the Netherlands as an amazing performer and a talented artist; her new CD received five stars from the Dutch newspaper, the Volkskrant. An interview with one of the Nesko organizers, Anne Kruijt provided some insight into the organization, the creativity, talent, and hard work behind it.
This year, Anne Kruijt, an Earth Science major and musician in the Utrecht Usconcert, has organized and promoted Nesko 2015, along with five other women. Ms. Kruijt has promised an incredibly energetic, lively program with the following musical pieces:
Stravinski Pulcinella suite, opus 46 (1920) Saint-Saëns Vioolconcert nr. 1 in A groot, opus 20 (1859), solist: Maria Milstein Faina Caminos, Opdrachtcompositie (2015) Mendelssohn Symfonie nr. 4 ‘Italiaanse’, opus 90 (1833)Nesko was founded in October,1964, by the Nederlands Studenten Orkest (NSO), in order to provide students with a unique opportunity to practice their musical talents in a smaller setting. Nesko would encourage students to come together to develop their skills, taste new forms of music, and to inspire and motivate each other. Ever since, the organization has continued to grow and each year, new students from universities and universities of applied sciences audition to take part in the week long Dutch Nesko Tour. Students spend one week engaging in an intense practice regimen, usually every day from 10 am to 10 pm, and perform for all to see the following week.
Anne encourages all students, friends, and family of Middelburg to experience this musical performance. The music is not only well-rehearsed and imbued with hard work and passion, but it is clear that when these students play together that each and every student loves their music, cherishes the strong bonds and connections they have made with each other, and appreciates the challenges they have had to overcome to deliver the best performance possible. According to Ms Kruijt, the program is incredibly demanding, but with the proper fervor and devotion, both she and the musical students have learned so much about music and about themselves.
If you are interested in being involved with Nesko, the recruitment process is quite simple. Three to four months before the start of a Nesko project, auditions are held, which are highly publicized through the Netherlands. Once accepted, the hard work and practice begins.
For those who enjoy music or perhaps need a study break, take the time to visit the Nesko performance: an exciting and compelling blend of young talent, creation, and unmistakable enthusiasm for the world of music!
Laura van der Laan is a Law major from Orinda, California
