Talent development begins early. Access and continuity are essential. In an opinion piece in Trouw, principal Lies Colman reflects on the 200th anniversary of the Royal Conservatoire The Hague and raises a broader question: what is the state of music education in the Netherlands?
While the Royal Conservatoire performs strongly at an international level and alumni find their way to leading orchestras and stages around the world, the foundations are under pressure. Many music schools have disappeared, specialist music teachers have largely vanished from primary education, and music education has become increasingly dependent on local initiatives and temporary projects.
According to Lies, musical development begins long before the conservatoire. ‘Musical talent does not emerge at the conservatoire, but long before. Whether it can flourish depends on access.’
For her, the anniversary year is therefore also a moment to look ahead: do we want music to remain a natural part of children’s development?