ABOUT US
The symphony orchestra for the Rijnmond region
Symphonierorkest Rijnmond (SOR) consists of approximately 70 mostly advanced amateur and some professionally trained musicians. Our home base is Rotterdam, but the orchestra members come from across the wider region. We rehearse every Monday between 7.30 and 10 p.m. in the Goede Herderkerk in Schiebroek. Approximately three to five concerts are scheduled each year.
The orchestra was founded in 2007 to provide a place for musicians who want to perform symphonic music together at a high level and in a good atmosphere.
WHAT IS SOR?
photo: Jannes Linders
High-quality symphonic concerts
From Shostakovich to Strauss and from Mozart to Márquez: since it was founded, SOR has performed a wide repertoire. The core of the programming focuses on symphonic works and solo concertos, which are always presented in an interesting setting. But SOR looks beyond that. The orchestra also plays lesser-known repertoire and has already performed several Dutch premieres.
photo: Jannes Linders
OUR MISSION
photo: Jannes Linders
The role within the Rijnmond cultural world
Besides its own concerts, SOR is also open to special projects. In the past, for example, it has collaborated with regional choirs on several occasions. In the near future, SOR aims to expand these partnerships and become a key player in the cultural scene of the Rijnmond region.
photo: Jannes Linders
OUR HISTORY
SOR in development
Rijnmond Symphony Orchestra was founded in 2007 by Marcel van Scheepen in a joint initiative with Cor van der Linden and Irina Podskrebko. They felt the need for a new, high-calibre amateur orchestra in the Rotterdam region. Under the passionate artistic leadership of Cor van der Linden, SOR has grown into a fully-fledged symphony orchestra with a loyal audience and a steadily growing reputation.
SOR has hosted many renowned soloists, including Igor Gruppman and Floris Mijnders, but the orchestra also regularly showcases emerging talent. For example, in June 2023, Nikola Meeuwsen performed Tchaikovsky's First Piano Concerto. The orchestra has also collaborated with guest conductors such as Jeppe Moulijn and Maria van Nieuwkerken. One of the highlights in the orchestra's history was a rehearsal led by Yannick Nézet-Séguin, then conductor of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
In the 2022/2023 season, SOR was temporarily led by Ali Groen. From September 2023 to May 2024, Jasper de Waal led the orchestra. Since June 2024, Alejandro Cantalapiedra has been the new chief conductor of the Rijnmond Symphony Orchestra.