After an eventful summer, I am back to work with talented and lovely students and the artistic direction of the Ocrum Music Festival.
Schedules have been made and upcoming concerts are being prepared. The cello is back in tiptop order and my bow has never been so well-haired thanks to Michael Yeats!

But first a quick recap of a masterclass in very warm Hungary.

What talent exists in the world!!! Within 10 days, these young people manage to play important works of chamber music in a fantastic way. I am happy to have had the opportunity to coach these people and I am proud of their achievements.

Incredibly happy to play one of my
favorite pieces with

these wonderful colleagues and talented students

What a joy teaching the cellist of the wonderful cello class of
Ruud Meester in Leiden!

To play, press and hold the enter key. To stop, release the enter key.

Proud to be teacher at the Sweelinck Academy at the CvA!

Last Saturday our students played their exams.

What a joy, and how incredible to see and listen to so much talented children.

I still do believe Dutch children have a lot of musical talent.

I still do believe that culture in the Netherlands can be rich.

Let's just don't give up on it!

Student wins 2nd price prinses Christina concours

Playing Schostakovitch Sonata

Traveling with students for concert

It all started with a nice and cozy rehearsal (apple pie included!). Then the trip to our ‘concertlocation’ of today. 🎶😀

Finally this video is published

Monique Heidema - cello solo
during pacificatielezing d.d. 5-1-2022
starting at 7'20 m

J.S. Bach - prelude suite 1
M. Reger - prelude suite 1
G. Cassado - preludio - suite

It is impossible to imagine Breda without the Ocrum Muziekfestival.

This anniversary edition managed to wake up the Breda residents; within 6 days, just under 1,000 visitors attended all of the festival's events.

As artistic director, I am proud!

As a musician, I am happy!

As a human being, I am grateful!

Thanks to the wonderful foundation of Ocrum, thanks to all the helping hands, thanks to all the organisations that made this festival possible.

Ocrum Muziekfestival big succes!!

Ocrum Muziekfestival Opening Concert

Beautiful Chamber Music

F. Schubert - String quintet in C major

A. Dvorak - Piano quintet in A major

Mayor of Breda, Paul Depla, will open the festival.

And I can tell you that I am really looking forward; what a brilliant and fine colleagues to play with....totally happy!! Go to the Ocrum website to discover who they are.

Start up to the Ocrum Muziekfestival

Film & Concert in the Chassétheater Breda.

A beautiful documentary about the pianist Igor Levit was shown. Proud to play with André Telderman beforehand the 4th Beethoven sonata.

Concert Waalse Kerk Breda

Finally, the Waalse kerk was sold out again, after a few weeks of a reduced audience. I am grateful to the Breda audience!

Summer Course Hungary

I am incredibly thankful for my job: working with beautiful and talented students from all over the world. In a short time seeing them grow and improve in themselves and the music

370762574_2055061828166678_1985519533952

Phion

MUSIC EDUCATION IS IMPORTANT!

Just before June 1, I received a call from the Phion's production manager; a co principal was needed for an educational project.

During and after my studies, I played almost weekly in orchestras. Most in the Rotterdam Philharmonic and the then Gelders Orchestra (now Phion). Around 2010 I stopped doing that, because at the time I felt it didn't really suit me. So I was a bit surprised that after all this time they still managed to find me. I was looking forward to meeting new people again, but especially the educational aspect really appealed to me. It is now so very important that children are allowed to listen to and experience music.

A primary school teacher: 'Super to see what the orchestra achieved with the children with this concert. The build-up was very well done, even at the end of the concert the children were enthralled! Very impressive. The narrator was able to hold the children's attention well and we thought his role in this was excellent.'

Phion:
'Due to great success, we are therefore doing another interactive concert with groups 5 to 8. Everything that is normally not usual at a classical concert is now allowed. Singing, dancing, making a rain choir, drumming on your body... Indeed, all this action is actually prescribed! We are very happy to play Concert for Rafiq again after a long time.

Together with the orchestra and narrator Emile Zeldenrust, pupils sing the moving and exciting story of 11-year-old Rafiq, who comes to the Netherlands alone as a refugee.

Pupils prepare the concert in class with the help of a teaching package. In June, all pupils come to the theatre for an unforgettable experience.

Four students win prizes!

My 2 youngest students Hendrik and Minou won 1st and 2nd prizes at the Britten competition

Vincent captured a final place with his piano trio at the pcc competition in region east

Jertil received a well-deserved incentive prize in the South 1 region of the PCC

Chamber Music Course Noordwijk

With mainly young talent from the Sweelinck Academy Amsterdam, together with very fine colleagues, I prepared the most beautiful chamber music. By the sea, so with inspiring views, I stayed in the lovely hotel Huis ter Duin.

1/1

Heemstede Cello Course

With a number of talented cellists, I spent a 3 days in beautiful surroundings and in a fine estate. They worked hard and made great progress. Very happy to be able to do this!

Prinses Christina Concours

On 17-18-19 February, as chairman of the jury of the PCC in Region West 1, I got to listen and watch all kinds of special children again. It is so special to see all these talents passionately involved with music. The enormously high level of the candidates was striking. And that young age...really incredible. Sometimes it is hard to imagine from my own perspective; after all, I only started playing the cello myself at the age of 16, so I never presented myself in this role. Very moving! I am lucky with my amazing profession!

What a joy, happiness and beautiful music during the

4th OCRUM MUZIEKFESTIVAL november 1-6 2022

1/1

14th Ervin Schiffer international Music masterclasses

Tata HUNGARY 15-26 August 2022

Are you a string player or pianist?

Come visit this beautiful small old town and participate this Summer course! A fantastic team of professors and organisation will guide you daily with understanding, experience and knowledge. And besides your individual solo lessons you will meet students coming from all over the world to play a lot of chamber music with.

Look for more info on this website http://www.concertotata.hu/master-classes.html

Or send a pm info@moniqueheidema.net

HOW IT ALL STARTED......

A few weeks ago a colleague send me this old picture. Time flies! At that time I played the cello only a very short time, but I already had the fantastic opportunity to play in this very nice string orchestra. I am super grateful for that opportunity; without the inspiration and encouragement of violinist and conductor Paul De Meyer I probably wouldn't be the cellist I am now. 😀