Programma

Waanzinnig West Jubileum Concert

19 sepseptember 2025

It's time to party! Amsterdam celebrates its 750th anniversary – and Podium Mozaïek is 20 years old. Reason enough for a grand anniversary concert in the heart of Amsterdam-West. With Waanzinnig West, Podium Mozaïek, together with the NBE and Theater Rast, presents a theatrical ode to the people, stories and voices of this special district. Stories from West Theatre maker Ayşegül Karaca and spoken word artist Luan Buleshkaj went into conversation with local residents, entrepreneurs and artists. They collected stories that reveal West's DNA - powerful, diverse and sometimes vulnerable. In the supporting act, these stories are shared in spoken word and music by youngNBE. Then, together with Ayşegül Karaca, Bahghi and Luan Buleshkaj, the NBE will play a festive evening concert with music, stories and poetry. An ode to a neighbourhood on the move - from past to future. About Waanzinnig West Waanzinnig West is a series of concerts, stories, images, podcasts, theatrical city talks and educational projects around 750 years of Amsterdam. The series illuminates the soul of Amsterdam-West and its residents - young and old, newcomers and established - focusing on their stories, perspectives and future. The jubilee concert in Erasmus Park is the grand finale of our celebration. In a place where everyone is welcome, together with local artists and storytellers, we will present a performance that connects, amazes and stays with you. The stories portray how residents experience their neighbourhood - with themes such as feeling at home, change, diversity, gentrification and solidarity. How do we live together in these new “roaring twenties”? Insane West invites encounters, wonder and connection. Date: Friday 19 September 2025 Location: Erasmuspark, Amsterdam Entrance: free 17:30 - 19:00 | Preview programme With youngNBE, Ayşegül Karaca and Luan Buleshkaj 19:30 - 21:00 | Main programme With NBE, Ayşegül Karaca, Bahghi, Luan Buleshkaj and more

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Dag van de Vrede (International Day of Peace)

21 sepseptember 2025 tot en met 24 sepseptember 2025

In 1981, the United Nations declared September 21 as the International Day of Peace with the aim of creating a worldwide day of ceasefire and non-violence. The Day of Peace is an annual event organised by the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble in collaboration with TivoliVredenburg, PHIL Haarlem and the Refugee Foundation. The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble invites guest artists from various artistic disciplines who have recently, or some time ago, fled from war zones around the world. Together, we celebrate peace on this special evening filled with music that moves and unites. Benoit de Gryse, Head of Programs & Policy at the Refugee Foundation, says, "Through the universal language of visual arts and music, together with the Dutch Wind Ensemble, we put people fleeing literally and figuratively in the spotlight. In doing so, we highlight the worrying current situation while also showcasing the courage and resilience with which displaced people do everything in their power to continue their lives despite the circumstances." The guest artists will be announced at a later time. The International Day of Peace is made possible by:        

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Vientos Flamencos

9 oktoktober 2025 tot en met 19 oktoktober 2025

Twelve years after the Historias de Viento programme, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble and Flamenco Biënnale Nederland are joining forces again. This time together with flamenco singer David Lagos, from Jerez de la Frontera, a city known for its rich flamenco tradition. With great expressive freedom, Lagos moves inside and outside the traditional singing style cante jondo. Together with the NBE, he performs a programme that both embraces the flamenco tradition and explores new musical paths. The NBE enters new flamenco territory with compositions by Florian Magnus Maier, in which flamenco ingeniously intertwines with classical and metal. In addition, De Blazers will play contemporary works by guitarist Tino van der Sman and Lagos' own repertoire. Dancer Úrsula López accompanies the music with rousing rhythmic improvisations, making her debut at the Biennale. Prior to each concert, an introduction to the performance is provided. The introduction is free, but for some venues, reservations may be required (see theater websites for more information). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nv9ql4GurdA

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Young Composers Competition

Showcases

30 oktoktober 2025 tot en met 2 novnovember 2025

Nothing better than creating your own music and performing it with top musicians! All young composers who want to do more with their music and are maximum 18 years old can apply for the annual NBE Young Composers Competition. Whether you sing, rap, make beats or compose on your instrument - anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself. During the Young Composers Competition, participants receive guidance from experienced composers and arrangers, meet other young musicians, gain stage experience and have their work performed by top musicians. The competition is a springboard for many serious composing talents in the Netherlands and produces beautiful new compositions every year. You can apply for the Young Composer's Competition until 12 October 2025. SHOWCASES During the Showcases, the regional preliminary rounds of the NBE Young Composers Competition, participants get the chance to show what they have to offer live for the first time. A casual yet serious moment to present their piece of music, song, rap or other musical form to the audience and the jury. The jury will choose winners from each region who will go on to the Composers Weekend. These participants will be guided by an arranger, who will help them create an arrangement of their composition for the NBE. The Showcases will take place from 30 October to 2 November 2025, the exact dates and locations will be announced later.

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A Firi Fu Fri

25 novnovember 2025 tot en met 8 decdecember 2025

Fifty years of Surinamese independence: that calls for music that touches you deep inside. De Blazers and their guests take you to the colourful heart of Suriname, where rhythms, melodies and traditions come together in a musical celebration of freedom and solidarity. With A Firi Fu Fri - The Feeling of Freedom - styles and cultures melt together in a musical melting pot. Classical sounds meet modern rhythms, and everything moves, breathes and vibrates. A Firi Fu Fri is an ode to 50 years of independence, but also a musical journey that explores the feeling of freedom, inspiration and connection. Including close harmony group Black Harmony and singers Denise Jannah and Jeannine la Rose*. Celebrate it, feel it, live it! *Jeannine performs at the performances until 28 November, Denise from 30 November. There will be an introduction before the performance. The introduction is free, but at some theatres you need to book (see websites theatres for more info).

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Young Composers Competition

Composers Weekend

13 decdecember 2025 tot en met 14 decdecember 2025

Nothing better than creating your own music and performing it with top musicians! All young composers who want to do more with their music and are maximum 18 years old can apply for the annual NBE Young Composers Competition. Whether you sing, rap, make beats or compose on your instrument – anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself. During the Young Composers Competition, participants receive guidance from experienced composers and arrangers, meet other young musicians, gain stage experience and have their work performed by top musicians. The competition is a springboard for many serious composing talents in the Netherlands and produces beautiful new compositions every year. You can apply for the Young Composers Competition until 12 October 2025. COMPOSERS WEEKEND In the Composers Weekend, all selected young composers, who participate in the Young Composers Competition, and NBE musicians meet each other. Since the Showcases, the young composers have been guided by an arranger to adapt their composition for the NBE and this weekend they will hear for the first time how their piece sounds when played by the NBE. It is a weekend full of rehearsals, games and workshops. Each day will end with a concert where the composers will perform their own composition together with the NBE in front of an audience! After each concert, young composers are chosen who are guaranteed a place in the Finale.

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Young Composers Competition

Finale

21 decdecember 2025

Nothing better than creating your own music and performing it with top musicians! All young composers who want to do more with their music and are maximum 18 years old can apply for the annual NBE Young Composers Competition. Whether you sing, rap, make beats or compose on your instrument – anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself. During the Young Composers Competition, participants receive guidance from experienced composers and arrangers, meet other young musicians, gain stage experience and have their work performed by top musicians. The competition is a springboard for many serious composing talents in the Netherlands and produces beautiful new compositions every year. You can apply for the Young Composers Competition until 12 October 2025. FINALE During the Finale of the Young Composers Competition, the remaining young composers will perform with their own composition, concluding the competition. Three composers will be chosen to perform their own piece together with the NBE at the annual New Year's Concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 1 January.

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New Year’s Concert 2026

31 decdecember 2025 tot en met 1 janjanuari 2026

Traditionally, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble kicks of the new year with a grand musical feast from The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. With unexpected guests, the most beautiful musical stories from all corners of the world and, of course, this year again the young winners of the composition competition. A sensual performance offering solidarity, hope, comfort and inspiration.   Please note: ticket sales is happening via website of The Concertgebouw and will only start in November.  

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