Last December, the second edition of the Opus 111 project took place. In this project, students are given the opportunity to bring new compositions by our Classical Composition students to life. We believe that new music needs space, not only within our society and theatres around the world, but also within our university and educational institutions. Opus 111 follows the tradition of new-music ensembles like London Sinfonietta or Asko/Schoenberg and Ensemble Modern, ensembles made up of all soloists. Last year, we started a fantastic collaboration with DoelenEnsemble, one of the most renowned contemporary music ensembles in the Netherlands. As part of the collaboration, the DoelenEnsemble will select some compositions to be performed by the DoelenEnsemble later in the year.

The concert last 19 December was a great success, with works by six different composition students premiered by an ensemble led by Arie van Beek (chief conductor of the DoelenEnsemble) in a packed Codarts Concert Hall.

Maarten van Veen (artistic director of the DoelenEnsemble): ‘’We are very happy with the results of this year's Opus 111, where we noticed that the level was higher than before. We look forward to bringing the voice of the new generation of composers to the world, here in Rotterdam!‘’

The names of the selected pieces and composition students will be announced in the next newsletter in February. For now: save the date to once again hear the works selected by the jury, performed by the DoelenEnsemble: 21 June 2025 in the Doelen, during the Day of the Composer.