Manon
Veenendaal
‘The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation provides 400 professionals and conservatory students with the best instruments to boost their careers. What I find remarkable is that our target group is so diverse. We serve emerging talent, young professionals, renowned musicians, and top musicians of all ages. The youngest is 10 years old, the oldest is almost retired. Their performance practice is equally diverse: our musicians play chamber music, in orchestras, and as soloists. Together they play all kinds of genres: classical music, jazz, contemporary music, you name it. The instrument collection represents a value of over €50 million. Where else in the world can you find a foundation with a comparable mission and instrument collection?’
Proud
I'm proud that we can continue the legacy of founders Pieter Moerenhout and Theo Olof, who established the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation in the 1980s. I've been working at the foundation for 20 years now, to successfully fulfill its ambitions and expand its reach. This is only possible with the help of the many donors with whom we have a strong relationship.
I believe it's important to be well-informed about the issues facing our target group, musicians, who haven't always had it easy, especially recently. I also very much want to further promote our beautiful collection of musical instruments. How can we make the knowledge and network we've built up accessible to our target group?
‘I'm proud that we can continuethe legacy of foundersPieter Moerenhoutand Theo Olof’
We tackle all these issues with our small team of staff and volunteers, working from home or in our beautiful historic office in the heart of Amsterdam. We rent the office from Stadsherstel. We also regularly organize public house concerts here. An excellent opportunity to get to know the Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation, the musicians, and the building!
Before joining the foundation, I worked with the Amsterdam Sinfonietta string orchestra. I studied general literature at Utrecht University, specializing in arts policy and management and cultural education. But I'm a lifelong learner. In 2013, I completed the vocational training for Fundraising (B) at the IF Academy, and in 2019, I completed an extensive Leadership Program at De Baak. In addition to my work at the foundation, I also work as an advisor for various other cultural institutions.
My favourite instrument
That is, without a doubt, the ‘Réus 49’: a harp with two extra strings, which was built by the Italian harp factory Salvi after a research and development process of more than 2,5 years. Commissioned by The Netherlands Musical Instrument Foundation, based on an idea by the talented harpist Remy van Kesteren. During this project, everything came together: the combination of high-quality software, the latest construction techniques, the boundless artistic drive of Remy van Kesteren, and the constant involvement of the foundation. This resulted in an innovative step in the history of harp building.
check out the harp