From a remarkable 234 applications, NMO alum Henri Christofer Aavik (Estonia) was selected as one of twelve finalists for the German Conducting Award.
From October 14-20, 2025, the candidates performed with the Gürzenich Orchestra Cologne, the WDR Symphony Orchestra, and singers from the Cologne Opera House. During the final concert, Henri received both the first prize and the Kurt Masur Audience Award. Thanks to these awards, he will be performing with orchestras such as the Konzerthausorchester Berlin, the Dresden Philharmonic, the Hamburg Philharmonic State Orchestra, and the Munich Symphony Orchestra in the coming years.
Henri graduated from the National Master of Orchestral Conducting (NMO) in 2024 with a special final concert in which he conducted the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra in works by Kodály and Schumann. Immediately after graduating, he was appointed principal conductor of the Pärnu City Orchestra in Estonia. Henri studied with Kenneth Montgomery (1943-2023), Ed Spanjaard, and Jac van Steen.
The National Master in Orchestral Conducting is a prestigious two-year master's program offered jointly by the Conservatorium van Amsterdam and the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Several Dutch symphony orchestras participate in the program, including the Residentie Orkest, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, and the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra.
More information on the National Master in Orchestral Conducting
