Ensemble rehearsing, tasty food and a fun workshop

Thursday started early again with a warm-up with Joost, who walked with us into the woods to do exercises. Fresh air and different movements woke us up and we were breathing properly within minutes.

Wieke talked with the NTK about "DINO" and "BOB" - practicing scales with and without tension. In the mean time, Jeroen discussed breathing with the YIP, a subject that's on everybodies mind.

The rest of the morning was scheduled for private lessons, practising and relaxing.

In the meantime, flute teachers and other interested guests arrived at Rhederoord with increasing number, because today was our open day. They went to listen to lessons given by Emily, Wieke and Jeroen, had a talk with Suzanne and ask questions to us participants, especially during lunchtime.

During the afternoon, there was time for ensemble coaching for the NTK, which was really fun to do because Wieke showed a totally different approach to learning the music and communicating with each other by singing and dancing. The YIP had a masterclass with Emily on orchestral excerpts, where we learned how to prepare for an audition and specific things to focus on while practising and auditioning.

After flute orchestra rehearsal and supper (comprising of "bitterbal" and french fries, as well as other typical Dutch foods), there was the long awaited and already famous workshop with Niels van Hoorn! Niels is already giving this workshop for the third time, but is always keeping things fresh. He surprised us again with some thrilling rhythms, that we had to say, sing, shout, stamp, clap and play on different percussion instruments - all of this was fun and revitalising! Now we have enough energy to jump into the upcoming concerts this weekend!

Marieke, Tirza and Waldo