HKU Utrechts Conservatorium turns 150 today

01 december 2025

On 1 December 1875 – exactly 150 years ago today – the deed establishing the Toonkunst Music School, the predecessor of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium, was signed. To mark this occasion, HKU Utrecht Conservatory, one of the oldest conservatories in the Netherlands, is celebrating its 150th anniversary today with fitting festivities.

150 years of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium means 150 years of bringing music to the city. 150 cohorts of alumni who brought music to audiences everywhere, offering comfort and beauty and bringing people together. On large and small stages, in schools and many other places where music lifts people up and allows them to see the world from a lighter and prettier side.

Today at 1.50 pm, Conservatorium director Jos Schillings stood in front of the Arts and Sciences Building on Mariaplaats, to symbolically blow out 150 candles on a large birthday cake. '150 years of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium means 150 years of musicians exploring new paths, using tradition as a springboard for innovation and then connecting those innovations back to tradition. Interim Executive Board member Judith Meijer added that she sees the joy that it brings students when they are making and performing music, combined with serious hard work, and that the conservatory is brimming with artistic quality. We are shaping professional artists who have a real impact on people and society.'

Director Jos Schillings cuts the cake for the doors of Conservatoriums K&W building at Mariaplaats.

The photo opportunity during the busy alumni day in front of the Main Building at Mariaplaats 28.

The adorned entrance of the Gebouw voor Kunsten en Wetenschappen, Mariaplaats 27

HKU Large Ensemble played the opening concert The Future is Now!

Alumni Kika Sprangers (left) and Marit van der Lei (right) during the opening concert

Alumnus Marit van der Lei during the opening concert

Standing applause ater the opening concert in Fentener van Vlissingen hall

Laura de Bruijn and Rik Jesker of the band LOE. took a tour along the various HKU locations this monday

Freeplay under the guidance of teacher Mees Siderius duing the alumni day.

A part of the string section at play during the opening concert

The proud winners of the alumni quiz

Opening concert

Last weekend was the start of an anniversary festival that will continue until the end of June. On Friday 28 November, the celebrations were launched with a sold‑out opening concert in Fentener van Vlissingen Hall. The HKU Large Ensemble – an ensemble over 60 people strong, with students from Classical Music, Jazz & Pop, Musician 3.0 and Music in Education – performed a one‑hour programme in both the afternoon and the evening with works by, and under the musical direction of, former Composer of the Netherlands Martin Fondse. Alumni also took part, including saxophonist Kika Sprangers and vocalist Marit van der Lei.

Alumni day XL

On Sunday 30 November, a well‑attended alumni day took place. About 400 alumni came to visit, some of whom graduated in the mid‑1970s and others as recent as last year. They gathered to (re)connect, share memories, exchange experiences, attend sessions, and – of course – make and enjoy lots of music together.

In the coming months, many concerts and events are planned. Highlights include the musical light installation Keys of Light at Janskerkhof (18 December - 4 January), a concert during the Nacht van de Viool on 30 January and of course a spectacular closing event centred around a previously unperformed work by Utrecht’s best‑known composer Louis Andriessen: Treasure of Utrecht. Keep an eye on the events calendar of the anniversary year of HKU Utrechts Conservatorium and come join us in the celebrations!