Nederlands Jeugd Accordeon Orkest (NJAO)

The Netherlands Youth Accordion Orchestra (NJAO) was founded in 1998.
The orchestra consists of young accordionists from various regions of the country. The age of the players is between 12 and 26 years.

To raise the musical level and expand the repertoire, the orchestra holds four to six study weekends and a number of study days every year. These weekends/days are held at various locations in the country. The location depends on any associated project and/or concert. There are also annual so-called combination weekends, in which new young accordionists can become acquainted with the NJAO, both musically and socially.

It has been composed especially for the NJAO several times. In addition, conductor Jorind Josemans and founder and former conductor Marc Belder have many arrangements – aimed at the NJAO – to their name.

The first CD was recorded in 2002, the second was made in 2007, the third in 2013 and the fourth CD was released in 2023. The versatile repertoire of the NJAO can be heard on the CDs.

The NJAO is also making its mark internationally by achieving four first prizes Cum Laude in 2003, 2007, 2015 and 2023 and a first prize Summa Cum Laude in 2011 at the European Music Festival for Youth in Neerpelt.

The NJAO played at countless festivals, in concert halls, on television with Paul de Leeuw and the BZT-Show, on streets and squares and in prisons. The NJAO also regularly focuses on innovative music, whether or not in collaboration with choirs and orchestras from other disciplines, as well as national talents.

At the end of 2013, after leading the orchestra with heart and soul for 15 years, Marc Belder said goodbye to the NJAO and handed over "the baton" to the current conductor Jorind Josemans.

Website: https://www.njao.nl/