Welcome
Dear flute friends,
Thank you for visiting our site.
The Grolloo Flute Sessions bring together three extraordinary fluteplayers Matthias Ziegler, Ian Clarke, Wissam Boustany and flute maker Eva Kingma, brought together by their love of inventive and innovative approaches to the flute; to flute practice, performance, and composition, as well as their highly creative and empowering teaching methods.
This intensive week takes place in the charming village of Grolloo, The Netherlands, where the pioneering flute-maker, Eva Kingma, lives and makes her innovative flutes. The course is structured to maximize the flow of inspiration and ideas between performers and auditors with the enthusiastic encouragement and support of the village.
You may be interested to participate in Grolloo Flute Sessions.
At this moment we are preparing for Grolloo Flute Sessions 10th edition in 2025.
Grolloo Flute Session 9 will be 6 days from August 19th until August 24th, 2025 (arrival on the 18th).
Main features of the week
Opening Concert: Matthias, Ian and Wissam open the course with a joint recital, setting the tone for the week. This concert takes place in the home of an enthusiastic supporter of the course.
Daily Topic of The Day: Themed morning presentations/workshops/discussions.
Daily Video Performance Class: Each participant gives a videoed performance. An open discussion follows in which valuable feedback is given and issues are debated by the whole group including many enthusiastic Grolloo residents. Participants are given a copy of the video and can study their performance and the discussion in their own time.
Daily Masterclass: These present the opportunity for detailed work on repertoire to develop and consolidate ideas.
Open Stage Evening/Party: This very special mid-week evening is when the participants’ bond is consolidated. Completely unplanned, improvisations and impromptu performances take place in Eva Kingma’s home. Pure fun and creativity…and no judgment.
Flute Workshop Visit: Participants visit Eva Kingma’s workshop and learn how her wonderful instruments are created.
Church Concerts: These participant-led performances take place in the village church and are attended by a large and enthusiastic local audience, presenting an additional opportunity for participants to perform and consolidate what they have learned.
The Village: A large part of the success of the course is the village itself…the local community is very committed to the course, helping provide accommodation and participating in many of the concerts, classes, and discussions.
Coaches
Matthias Ziegler, Ian Clarke and Wissam Boustany are presenting an innovative flute course, with the support of Eva Kingma and pianists Alessandro Soccorsi and Mariken Zandvliet.
The Grolloo team places a high priority on creating a welcoming spirit of learning and sharing of ideas amongst all participants, irrespective of age or ability. Thus far, participants have come from across the world and have ranged from those about to start music college, graduates from leading musical institutions, to professional performers and teachers.
Participants will be discussing and experimenting many performance and practice issues in fully interactive discussions and workshops.
The course’s timing during late summer allows students and professionals to get back in shape ahead of the new musical season.
Venue
Grolloo
Hoofdstraat 12, 9444 PB Grolloo,The Netherlands.The event will be situated in the peaceful village of Grolloo, Drenthe. Grolloo is the birthplace of the Kingma system flutes.
Grolloo is part of the community of ‘Aa en Hunze’. Click here for an impression of the surroundings.
We recommend to book a place around the session location – we can guarantee a good selection of rooms and bed & breakfasts.
Please, book well in advance, there can be a problem with booking.
Please look for our lodging guide in the FAQ section.
- Travel tips:
- Nearest train station: Assen (13 km)
- Air: Amsterdam – Schiphol
- Rail Schiphol – Assen (1hr 54min)
- Car: Nearest highway exit (Exit Rolde) on the N33 (6 km)
- Where on earth: 52°56’09.5″N 6°40’21.3″E
- Click here for maps and details.
F.A.Q.
All necessary information
- Where is the event?
- The course will take place in the village of Grolloo, in The Netherlands. We have several places to stay: cheap and more luxurious, on a short distance of the event. More details on this page
- How many places are available?
- There is place for between active 15 en 25 participants. In the event that less than active 15 participants apply, we reserve the right to cancel the course and will refund everyone in full.
- Can I participate as a auditor (listener)?
- Yes! You can. If you want to participate as an auditor, the cost will be lower. Auditors are entitled to attend all the sessions and concerts. Auditors can participate in some performances and rehearsals – to be negotiated depending on the level of playing.
- Conditions and cancellations
- ‘Stichting Grolloo Flute Sessions’ is a non-profit organisation. We are registered as such at the Dutch Chamber of Commerce under number 62616951. We are thankfully receiving some financial support from our Sponsors.
Terms of payment: When cancellations are received before 31st July – deposit forfeited. Cancellations received after 1st August – full course fee forfeited.
In the event that less than 15 participants apply, we reserve the right to cancel the course and will refund everyone in full.
- Where can I stay?
- There are many places where you can stay. We have excellent bed & breakfast opportunities in or near Grolloo for 30-35 Euros per night. You can even stay at a luxurious holiday park at 5 km distance (with swimming pool and sauna). Let us know if you’re on a tight budget, some of our friends and neighbours offer free lodging.Look here for some addresses and here for locations.
- What level of flute playing should I have?
- The Grolloo team places a high priority on creating a welcoming spirit of learning and sharing of ideas amongst all participants, irrespective of age* or ability. Thus far, participants have come from across the world and have ranged from those about to start music college, graduates from leading musical institutions to professional performers and teachers. If you are in any doubt about whether you think you are of the appropriate ability, then please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Auditors of course do not have playing requirements.
Please, send a link to an audio or video recording (WeTransfer, Dropbox, Google Drive or similar) you would like to submit or send a letter of reference from your teacher.
You are encouraged to choose your own repertoire, according to your individual interests and needs – perhaps Grolloo can help you prepare for pending concerts, recordings, auditions, or any specific aspects of your playing that you would like to develop. We suggest that you aim to balance your repertoire between one traditional piece and one contemporary piece, if possible. If you are having difficulty deciding on repertoire, you are welcome to get in touch and discuss options with the teachers you are intending to play for.
*Please note that players below the age of 17 may be asked to bring a chaperone. - What is the price?
- In 2025 the course will be six days long. The course fee will be determined soon. For your interest: The course fee for full participants in 2024 was € 975, which entitles you to 2 private lessons, 1 performance class, 1 masterclass, 1-to-1 coaching with piano and participation in all the sessions and concerts, study material and social events. All lunches, dinner and welcome party are included.
The course fee for auditors in 2024 was € 525 (meals included). Auditors are entitled to attend all the sessions and concerts. Auditors can participate in some performances and rehearsals – to be negotiated depending on the level of playing.
Not included are: travel expenses, breakfast and lodging.
A prepayment of €150 is required to guarantee your place, after we have assessed your application/recordings and notified you of your successful application. - Financial help
- The Grolloo Flute Sessions can offer limited support, for those who need some financial help:
Free Lodging: Some of our friends and neighbours offer free lodging. Let us know if you are interested.
Bring a Friend: If you are able to bring a friend to attend the course. We can deduct €100 from the course fee. Your friend will need to mention this in their original application.
Bursary: We are able to offer 1 x 100% or 2 x 50% bursary for the course fee (not inclusive of accommodation/food). Availability of these special bursaries depends on the individual’s level and circumstances. Applicants for this bursary will need to send a separate letter to describe their circumstances.
Early Bird applications: Those who commit early and pay the deposit before 15 February 2024 will receive a deduction of €100 from the course fee. - Payment
- Payment of your participation fees in Euros can be arranged by bank transfer.
Please wait for the invoice sent to you.Our Bank details:
RABO Bank, Neptunusplein 2, 9401 CZ Assen, Netherlands
SWIFT(BIC) code: RABONL2U
Beneficiary:
Grolloo Flute Sessions
Hoofdstraat 12, 9444 PB Grolloo, Netherlands
IBAN code: NL77RABO0302372113Note:’NL’ and ‘RABO’ are Capital letters, the other symbols are numbers.
We can arrange a ‘Wise’ transfer. Please ask for advice.
We are also on the social networks
On Twitter: use #Grollooflute.
Our sponsors
This event is made possible with the support of the following sponsors:
