Jan Pustjens Focus Day 2020 / Newsletter

Amsterdam, December 2019

NEWSLETTER

During the tropical month of June, with it's heavy rainfall and the first severe summer storms, we
sent you the ‘save the date’ for the 5th Jan Pustjens Focus Day on Sunday 26 January 2020 in the Bernard Haitinkzaal of the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

With great pleasure we can now tell you more about the “Focus Day”- albeit under slightly different autumnal weather conditions.

The chosen theme is "The early classics" The repertoire for this anniversary program of the Focus Day is directed towards compositions from the 30s and 40s, such as works by John Cage, Carlos Chavez and Lou Harrison. As you also probably know, the world famous American percussionist/composer Jason Treuting has confirmed his presence as Master.

Also giving their support again are the students from all the Conservatoriums in the Netherlands, including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Tilburg, Maastricht, Zwolle and Groningen. So as usual this will be a great meeting place for all the international students curently studying in the Netherlands. Togetherness and exchange of mutual ideas have become the hallmark of this day – just as in the spirit of Jan Pustjens, we will feel the notes and enthusiasm in the air around us.

New this year is an extra collaboration with the TROMP International Percussion Competition in Eindhoven. This competition is held every two years and celebrates its 50th anniversary from 12 to 22 November 2020. Last year (2018) our Foundation donated the Jan Pustjens Press Prize and as 2020 is both our Jubliees we have decided to hold a TROMP Repertoire Day with honorary guest Jason Treuting. This will take place after the Pustjens Focus Day, also at the Conservatorium of Amsterdam.

The purpose of days like this organized by TROMP around the world is to introduce talented young percussionists to jury members and laureates of the competition. The idea is they become proficient in the repertoire, working with as per previous programs, Christian Dierstein (master JP Focus Day 2019), Peter Prommel (former student of Jan) and Arnold Marinissen. The winner of the Jan Pustjens Press Prize 2018, Elliot Gaston-Ross, has also been invited to share his talents on this day, which completes the program nicely.

This anniversary program is being organised in close collaboration with the percussion teachers of the Conservatorium of Amsterdam and the management of TROMP.. We are really excitedabout this day and all these activities are free of charge to the public.

We hope you can join us and look forward to seeing you there.