Held over nine days, with 28 concerts featuring over 40 talented and distinguished musicians, the Stift Music Festival here in the East Netherlands really has something for everyone. Founded in 2005 by the irrepressible Daniel Rowland, known to many as a former member of the Brodsky Quartet, the Stift Music…

The raw and sometimes harrowing world of contemporary Nigeria is brought to life with astounding precision and clarity. Like so many I am sure, I tend to have phases in my reading. I often seek books which will open my eyes to completely different worlds, worlds which are alien to…

Slijterij Berendsen, the family-run alcoholic beverage store in Enschede, puts excellent customer service at the heart of its business Food and Drink Heroes of Enschede #3 Nestled in the centre of Roombeek, Enschede, this amazing shop, the largest beverage specialist in Twente, really is to the place to go if you are looking for variety, quality, value for money and excellent customer service.

Friday night’s concert at De Doelen, Rotterdam was the culmination of two weeks of frenetic music-making here in the Netherlands, and the highlight of this inaugural International Conducting Competition, Rotterdam. I felt a certain thrill walking into the Grote Zaal here at De Doelen for the first time after spending…

We are told that sometimes, the best things come to he who waits, however, over the past couple of years it seems there has been rather too much waiting. It is not every day that the principal trumpet from one of the finest orchestras in the world finds the time to support young musicians in your local town, but Saturday 21st May 2022, was one such day, and Miro Petkov, principal trumpet from the Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam visited…

As I sit here in the glorious sun, I think back to yesterday, and as one friend put it, the biblical rains which descended on this little part of the Netherlands. I am reminded of a time earlier in the year when predictions of biblical storms really came to nought…

The International Piano Competition for Young Musicians in Enschede brings together young pianists from all over the world in pursuit of that illusive first prize. For anyone who saw my post earlier in the week about the International Piano Competition finals here in Enschede, I am delighted to share that…

Callum Au is the man of the moment in the current UK jazz scene and if you have not heard about him yet, or listened to his work, please take the time to revel in his brilliance. — Working as a trombonist, arranger, orchestrator and composer, Callum Au is one of the most exciting talents in the UK jazz scene today. The 32-year-old trombonist who grew up in Blackpool has a CV to die for. It was as a member of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) in…

Last week, for the first time in my newly adopted country, I voted in the local elections, and it felt good. Having lived here in the Netherlands for nearly two years, I have made a great effort to try and understand the people of this great nation and integrate as fully as possible. I shop locally and support local business. I pay my taxes to the Dutch government. I attend concerts…