The Pieterskerk Leiden contains two beautiful organs which are regularly played. The two year programme Junior Organist in Residence, started in 2023, provides an excellent opportunity for young organ talents to connect with these instruments. Victor Baena de la Torre was the first succesful candidate to be appointed for a two year period as Junior Organist in Residence. He regularly plays on both organs in the Pieterskerk Leiden and gives concerts and tours. Therefore the Pieterskerk Leiden will organize an Organ Masterclass Audition in two parts: part 1 (november 2024) & part 2 (april 2025). There is a maximum of available spots for a total of three candidates, who should be available for both periods. The junior organist-in-residence will be appointed for a period of a maximum of two years.

Applications can be sent per Monday 5 August 2024. The deadline for applications is on Monday 9 September 2024.

Download the application requirements here

During the masterclasses both organs of the Pieterskerk Leiden will be played: the Van Hagerbeer Organ and the Thomas Hill organ. Léon Berben will conduct the organ lessons for the participants and will guide the young organists artistically. The professionals of the Pieterskerk Leiden will organize a workshop on the conservation and maintenance of the organs in collaboration with Verschueren Organ Builders. And naturally there will also be an opportunity to discover Leiden.

Masterclass Audition part 1 – Friday 22 November to Monday 25 November 2024
Masterclass Audition part 2 – Friday 4 April to Monday 7 April 2025

Victor Baena de la Torre is geboren in Spanje (1995), daar leerde hij op 12 jarige leeftijd gitaar en piano spelen. Later ging hij orgel en klavecimbel studeren. In 2019 ontving Victor de eerste prijs tijdens het Schnitger Internationale Orgelconcours in Alkmaar. In 2020 studeerde Victor af voor zijn Master orgel aan het Conservatorium van Amsterdam en behaalde in datzelfde jaar de tweede prijs op het Nationale Orgelconcours in Burgos in Spanje. Victor slaagde summa cum laude voor zijn postmaster ‘konzertexamen’ aan de Hochschule für Musik und Theater van Hamburg. Victor is de vaste organist in een aantal kerken in Amsterdam en geeft les als orgeldocent. Daarnaast is hij nu de eerste junior organist-in-residence van de Pieterskerk Leiden.

As both a harpsichordist and organist Léon Berben can be regarded as a master of his art. His expansive knowledge of musical history and historical musical practices make him one of the leading figures among the musicians of his generation.

Léon Berben will guide the masterclasses in the Pieterskerk Leiden artistically in the search for a junior organist-in-residence.

At the start of 2022 Léon Berben created a CD-recording of the oeuvre of Anthonie van Noordt (ca. 1619-1675) on the Van Hagerbeer organ. This new organ-CD will be presented at the end of 2022.

A bellow treader, calcant or kalkant, is tasked with supplying the organ of constant air pressure. The Pieterskerk Leiden has a long tradition of bellow treading. A so called calcantenbel (bellow treaders’ bell) is placed at the Van Hagerbeer Organ, which the organist uses to signal to the bellow treaders to resume their work. Bellow treading belongs to the old trades and was performed historically by both women and men. With the advent of electricity this centuries old trade started to dissappear.

At a later date new life will be breathed into the Bellows Treaders Guild; this will be accompanied by several masterclasses.

As soon as a date of application is available this will be shared through social media and other means.