Students, staff and alumni to share the stage at Leiden Canal Concert
Music lovers are welcome at this free open-air concert celebrating 450 years of Leiden University, on Sunday 6 July. This special jubilee edition of the Rapenburg Canal Concert will feature a unique orchestra made up of our students, staff and alumni, performing on a floating stage.
With support from a brass band and rhythm section, no fewer than 60 musicians will take the audience on an exciting musical journey. The programme comprises a varied mix of styles, from classical to pop and Dutch songs. The evening will be expertly hosted by Thomas van Luyn, who is also an alumnus of the university.
Close links with the alma mater
During the rehearsals and performance, the orchestra will be conducted by Guido Marchena (alumnus, Arts, Media and Society). ‘The orchestra, guest artists and repertoire all have close links with our alma mater’, says Guido. ‘But for now, the precise repertoire is a secret. July 6 is going to be a party to remember!’
Which of our students, staff and alumni will be taking to the stage? Meet four of our musicians below.
Patrick Rensen
Patrick Rensen is a Professor of Metabolic Aspects of Vascular Diseases. For many years now, the Leiden Canal Concert has been one of his favourite events in Leiden. He has sung with performing arts group Otis for over 20 years and played characters such as Lumière in Beauty and the Beast and Trekkie Monster in Avenue Q. ‘We’ve already had our first rehearsal for the Canal Concert. It’s amazing how the soloists, choir and orchestra come together to form one ensemble. This event brings together so many of our university’s talented musicians on Leiden’s waters – it’s fantastic!’ Professor Rensen commends the efforts of the many volunteers involved and encourages everyone to come along to what will quite possibly be the finest Leiden Canal Concert to date.
Hester Groot
Hester is a PhD candidate in Linguistics and will be playing the viola. She played in last year’s Canal Concert with her student orchestra – an experience that even the rain couldn’t spoil, thanks to the enthusiastic audience. ‘That’s why I didn’t need to think twice about playing this year!’ She’s most looking forward to one specific song in the repertoire, which was a favourite sing-along song for her family growing up. ‘I hope my parents will be there in the audience, enthusiastically singing along and maybe even shedding a tear or two,’ she says. The atmosphere at the Canal Concert is just unbeatable – the music covers so many genres that there really is something for everyone. You can sing along, and it doesn’t matter if you’re out of tune... nobody hears it when you’re outside anyway!’
Merijn Weij
Alumnus Merijn Weij came up with most of the musical arrangements for this year’s special jubilee edition of the Canal Concert. ‘I often write music for orchestras, bands and music societies’, he says. That’s how he became involved in the Leiden Canal Concert. ‘Of course, it’s every arranger’s dream to have vast crowds of people come and listen to pieces you have written. The Canal Concert is a wonderfully accessible occasion for that!’ For Merijn, it’s magical to see how the notes he arranged in his study only a few months ago will shortly come to life. He’s hoping for nice weather, and more importantly, that everyone will come and enjoy a fantastic evening on the water.
Jeroen Wolbers
Jeroen Wolbers is an Associate Professor specialising in public safety and crisis management at the Institute for Security and Global Affairs. Though he hasn’t been to the Canal Concert before, the unique line-up of students and colleagues really appealed to him: ‘Making music as an orchestra is such a different form of collaboration. All of the usual roles disappear, which is what makes it a unique experience, in my opinion.’ Dr Wolbers has played the trumpet in a number of orchestras and bands since he was young. ‘I’ve just come to the end of a 12-year stint with a professional military orchestra – the National Reserve Korps Fanfare (a military band in the Royal Netherlands Army). Besides being a musician, that means you also serve as a reservist in the Royal Netherlands Army.’ It’s with this orchestra that Dr Wolbers performed at the coronation of King Willem-Alexander on Dam Square and at commemorations in the Netherlands and abroad. ‘I'm looking forward to performing the amazing pieces in this repertoire. The best part is when a piece of music transports you to another era or culture – that’s when the music creates a really powerful connection, and for a moment you feel what it’s like to be part of that.’ Lastly, he adds: ‘Together, we’re Leiden University. That’s something we all express, and we’re proud to celebrate both that history and our future together.’
Praktische informatie
📅 Date: Sunday 6 July 2025
🕕 Time: 19.00
📍 Location: Rapenburg, Leiden
🎟️ Entrance: free
Whether you find a spot along the canal or join by boat: this is a night you won’t want to miss!