Nino Reijerkerk moved from The Hague to Zwolle: 'Best decision ever'

Because Nino Reijerkerk simply wanted to make music without knowing which instrument to choose, his musical career began with recorder lessons. "Terrible," he laughs. The fact that the talented finals student eventually ended up with the trumpet was more coincidence than anything else. "But the beautiful thing is: I loved it from the very beginning so much that I immediately wanted to go to the conservatory. However, at that time, I was only eleven years old and too young."

Less stress and a new environment

The School for Young Talent in The Hague was more his place. For seven years, he developed his musical skills there, eventually ending up at ArtEZ in Zwolle. A school where he feels right at home. Nino says, "The period after high school was challenging for me. To be accepted into a conservatory, you have to undergo many exams and auditions. And that has never been my thing. I'm just too nervous for that and don't perform well." Through connections, he got in touch with ArtEZ trumpet lecturer Tonny Kievits. "I heard that he was someone who could help me with this obstacle." And it turned out to be true. After a few trial lessons, Nino felt so good in Zwolle that he started studying Classical Music. Less stress, a new environment, that change did him good. Nino says, "If I had stayed in the Randstad, I wouldn't have come this far. Everyone thinks along with you, it feels relaxed, and the atmosphere here is just great."

Playing in symphony orchestras, I just can't let go of that, but playing in big bands is also one of my passions.”

During his studies, Nino was able to fully immerse himself in music. Although his heart lies in classical music, he has a second love: jazz. A music style that he gradually made his own during his studies. "I'm quite versatile," he explains. "For example, I have played a lot in big bands and jazz combos. Versatility is especially important in this day and age. That's why it's nice that the program here pays a lot of attention to it, in the sense that you can develop yourself in any desired area or instrument. For me, that was not only classical but also jazz and pop." However, his focus is still on playing in symphony orchestras. "I just can't let go of that, but playing in big bands is also one of my passions."

Hellish noise

And suddenly, four years have passed, and he is on the eve of his own concert. Nino wants to crown his years of studying with a final work that he can look back on with pleasure for years to come. "During my finals concert, I will showcase as many aspects of the trumpet as possible. Different styles, different trumpets, it's going to be fantastic, I believe." Fortunately, he is not alone on stage. A total of 28 people are involved in his concert, divided into five ensembles. For example, he is accompanied by a jazz trio but also performs a large trumpet concert with fourteen other brass players. "That's going to be a hellish noise, haha." Most of the people playing with him are friends. "The common thread of my graduation work is to seek freedom in music. So there will be a lot of improvisation during the concert."

It's not just about playing the trumpet well, but about the whole package.”

Not only should the concert itself be special, but careful thought has also been given to the location. Instead of a traditional concert hall, Nino has chosen Studio RAW in Zwolle. "The location should add something to my music," he believes. "Studio RAW belongs to artist Ronald Westerhuis, and the space is filled with his sculptures. It's a really cool place." Nino is amazed at how much support and freedom he receives as a student to present his final work in such a professional way. "I never expected it to turn out like this." In any case, he praises the guidance he received at ArtEZ. "I felt at home in all aspects of the music world. It's not just about playing the trumpet well but about the whole package. Finances, approaching funds, the organizational side of a concert, I received excellent help with all of these matters."

Is he nervous about his big night? Strangely enough, not for the evening itself, he says. "But I am anxious about whether all the preparations will go well. I want everything to go perfectly, and with so many people involved, it requires a lot of organization. Especially because I'm also doing an internship at Phion in the meantime. So, it's really a matter of juggling and balancing."

Germany

After his studies, he sees himself heading towards Germany. "There are so many opportunities for symphony orchestras there. And that's really what I want. In Germany, there are also more job openings, making it easier to secure a place in an orchestra."