The Sweelinck Orchestra is always looking for new enthusiastic members. Would you like to play along? Then sign up for the auditions and come visit the open rehearsals!
About the orchestra
The UvA Orchestra J.Pzn Sweelinck was founded in 1878, making it the oldest symphony orchestra in Amsterdam. Sweelinck consists of about seventy enthusiastic students from universities and colleges in Amsterdam and other cities who enjoy making music together at a high level and having drinks until the early hours. To learn more about the orchestra, read our the pages about our history and our conductor!
The orchestra is always looking for new members, including international students! Rehearsals are every Thursday evening from 19:30 to 22:30 and are mostly held in English.
Auditions
Would you like to join the Sweelinck Orchestra?
The auditions for the Spring 2026 project have already taken place, but new auditions for our Autumn 2026 programme will be held on 11, 12, and 13 September. For the audition, we ask you to prepare a solo piece of approximately five minutes. In addition, you will be asked to play several audition excerpts. Once these excerpts are available, you will find them together with the registration form at the bottom of this page.
Looking for new principles!
The Sweelinck Orchestra is looking for two new section leaders! We are currently seeking enthusiastic musicians to lead and represent both the second violin section and the double bass section. Would you like to take on a leading role within one of our sections? Then audition to become a principle! You can sign up via the registration form below.
Open Rehearsals
Would you like to experience the Sweelinck Orchestra before auditioning? Come and get a taste of the atmosphere at one of our open rehearsals on Thursday 3 and 10 September, from 19:30–22:30 at the Singelkerk in Amsterdam. Join us at an open rehearsal by signing up via this form.
