Agenda

jongNBE x Clean Pete’s Christmas Show

The Christmas season is approaching — and that calls for celebration. Clean Pete's Christmas show is a sparkling spectacle full of warmth, singing and a touch of magic. This year, jongNBE will be appearing as a special guest, and together they will bring you a Christmas celebration like you've never heard before.

Young Composers Competition 2025

Final

Nothing better than creating your own music and performing it with top musicians! All young composers who want to do more with their music and are maximum 18 years old can apply for the annual NBE Young Composers Competition. Whether you sing, rap, make beats or compose on your instrument – anything goes, as long as you make it up yourself. During the Young Composers Competition, participants receive guidance from experienced composers and arrangers, meet other young musicians, gain stage experience and have their work performed by top musicians. The competition is a springboard for many serious composing talents in the Netherlands and produces beautiful new compositions every year. You can apply for the Young Composers Competition until 12 October 2025. FINALE During the Finale of the Young Composers Competition, the remaining young composers will perform with their own composition, concluding the competition. Three composers will be chosen to perform their own piece together with the NBE at the annual New Year's Concert at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 1 January.

New Year’s Concert 2026

Traditionally, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble kicks of the new year with a grand musical feast from The Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. With unexpected guests, the most beautiful musical stories from all corners of the world and, of course, this year again the young winners of the composition competition. A sensual performance offering solidarity, hope, comfort and inspiration.   Please note: ticket sales is happening via website of The Concertgebouw and will only start in November.  

Berlioz’ Krachtige Vrouwen (Berlioz’ Powerful Women)

The Nederlands Blazers Ensemble yearns, whispers, cries and moves with Berlioz' Krachtige Vrouwen. With this performance, the Blazers follow in the eccentric composer's footsteps.

Lunch concerts

In these lunch concerts, the jongNBE showcases how young talent from around the world meets and connects through music. With ten musicians from different countries and backgrounds, they present a varied programme full of fresh energy, new sounds and unexpected combinations.

Vientos Flamencos

Twelve years after the Historias de Viento programme, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble and Flamenco Biënnale Nederland are joining forces again. This time together with flamenco singer David Lagos, from Jerez de la Frontera, a city known for its rich flamenco tradition. With great expressive freedom, Lagos moves inside and outside the traditional singing style cante jondo. Together with the NBE, he performs a programme that both embraces the flamenco tradition and explores new musical paths. The NBE enters new flamenco territory with compositions by Florian Magnus Maier, in which flamenco ingeniously intertwines with classical and metal. In addition, De Blazers will play contemporary works by guitarist Tino van der Sman and Lagos’ own repertoire. Dancer Úrsula López accompanies the music with rousing rhythmic improvisations, making her debut at the Biennale. Prior to each concert, an introduction to the performance is provided. The introduction is free, but for some venues, reservations may be required (see theater websites for more information).

De Beste Blazers van Eigen Bodem 1

Maite Hontelé (The Best Wind Players from our Land)

Dutch wind players are known worldwide for their creativity, innovative approach and virtuosity. In this brand-new series, the Nederlands Blazers Ensemble (NBE) gives the stage to the absolute top Dutch wind players to bring their musical imagination to life with all the possibilities offered by the NBE. We start this series with none other than trumpeter and salsa star Maite Hontelé. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Maite grew up in the rich tradition of Dutch wind culture. However, her heart was soon captured by the warm sounds of Latin American music, leading to a spectacular career in which she became one of the biggest stars in the salsa world, beloved throughout South America. Together with the NBE, Maite will take the audience on a musical journey that effortlessly navigates between Dutch brass band and Cuban salsa. Expect an evening of boundless music in which tradition and innovation merge in an unexpected way. An experience that lets you hear and feel the power of two musical worlds. Don't miss this special encounter between the best of the Netherlands and the fiery energy of Latin music!