Oorkaan Prize

OORKAAN AWARD FOR MUSICIANS / ENSEMBLES
will be awarded during The Opmaat at the Grachtenfestival

Oorkaan, founded in 2000 in the small hall of the Concertgebouw, has been for twenty years the only institution in the Netherlands specialized in youth music that creates youth music performances at an internationally high level. Director Caecilia Thunnissen developed 'the Oorkaan method' upon her appointment as artistic director in 2015. This working method determines Oorkaan's own artistic signature, in which all performers are musicians and the music is central.

Oorkaan holds a unique position in the performing arts and is a global forerunner in the field of the youth music genre. From this role, Oorkaan invests in building new audiences and in the talent development of creators and young talented musicians. At Oorkaan, within the OTOPs (Oorkaan Talent Development Programs), they are given the space to develop a new vision of making and playing for young and old.

ORIGINAL PRICE
Musicians and ensembles who pitch their ideas during The Opmaat of the Grachtenfestival will have a chance to win the Oorkaan Prize: a participation in the O-TOP, a three-day workshop in the unique Oorkaan Method, an internationally recognized approach to using acoustic, global classical music to create a theatrical concert. The Method focuses both on creating scenic material based on the music and the musicians, and on developing the musician into a versatile performer.

Under the guidance of artistic director Caecilia Thunnissen and a theater/play coach, you will work with a young talented director who already has experience working with the Oorkaan method. For three days you will explore the Oorkaan method, work on basic acting techniques and on placing your music and your body in space. We conclude the last day with a public presentation at the Grachtenfestival.

"I enjoyed the O-TOP immensely!" Dineke Nauta, Ebonit Saxophone Quartet
"The coachings were really nice, we got to know each other in the group better. (...) Would have been interesting to go on working a few more days." Johannes Pfeuffer, Ebonit Saxophone Quartet

FOR WHO?
The Oorkaan Prize is awarded during De Opmaat at the Grachtenfestival Amsterdam, to the musicians or ensemble with the greatest theatrical power.

The Oorkaan Talent Development Program is made possible in part by the Performing Arts Fund.