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EAR CANAL METHOD
Founded in 2001 in the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, Oorkaan is the internationally awarded organization that dedicates itself to the creation of high quality staged concerts for young audiences. Since 2015 artistic director Caecilia Thunnissen has developed the artistic signature of Oorkaan by using the "Oorkaan method" - in which music is the prime focus and all the performers are musicians.

MASTER CLASSES HURRICANE METHOD
The Oorkaan Method is an internationally recognized Method to create a staged concert with acoustic, global classical music. The Method focuses on the creation of scenic material based on the music and the musicians, and also on the development of the musician as a total performer. Musicians and stage directors can learn this Method by Masterclasses led by Caecilia Thunnissen and her artistic team. Interested to book a Masterclass? Read on HERE.

DEVELOPING TALENT & MUSIC
The fact that Oorkaan is a multiple prizewinner of the international Young Audiences Music Awards (YAMawards) for the best music productions for children indicates Oorkaan's unique position in the performing arts and its global pioneering role in the genre of music for children. This role forms the basis for Oorkaan's investment in reaching new audiences and developing the talent of makers and young musicians. In OTOPs (Oorkaan Talent Development Programmes), Oorkaan gives them the scope to develop a new vision of creating and performing productions for both young and old.

FRINGE PROGRAM & EDUCATION
Every year, Oorkaan gives around 200 staged concerts all over the world. Through them, we reach approximately 40,000 audience members, including over 9,000 schoolchildren who do not normally have access to live performances of world classical music. In-depth educational programs related to the productions are developed for venues, for schools (the concert hall as classroom) and online for home learning.

WORLD CLASSICAL MUSIC
Oorkaan breaks open the Western European canon of classical music with other timbres. World classical music is an inclusive canon that is a good match for today's society and a wide audience.

HURRICANE IN THE CHAIN
Since its foundation in the Recital Hall of the Concertgebouw in 2001, Oorkaan has traditionally worked with renowned chamber music ensembles and orchestras. Oorkaan forms an essential link in the chain of the Dutch music sector: today's young listeners are the concert-goers of tomorrow and the leading musicians of the future.

INTERNATIONAL
Our staged concerts are repeatedly booked by internationally renowned concert halls, festivals and houses, like Philharmonie Hamburg, Philharmonie Köln BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music) New York, Kennedy Center Washington DC, Art Space for Kids China, Philharmonie Luxembourg, deSingel Antwerp, Konzerthaus Wien, Festspielhaus Baden- Baden, RomaEurope and Salzburg Festival. The Oorkaan Method has received a number of international nominations and prizes.

Click HERE to read more about Oorkaan.

Did you know? * The name 'Oorkaan' is a pun on the Dutch word 'orkaan', meaning 'hurricane'. The word 'oor' means 'ear'. In a translation the word 'hearricane' might come close to the meaning of 'Oorkaan'.