All year Somer!
Somer is a young, dynamic, and adventurous orchestra of young professionals that plays in various configurations. The orchestra is led by conductor Rolf Verbeek.
The orchestra
Somer is a young, dynamic orchestra of young professionals in Drenthe (based in Assen). We combine classical and new music and constantly seek innovative concert formats, with room for experimentation and collaboration.<br>We perform at well-known and unexpected locations within and outside Drenthe, in small and large ensembles, develop educational projects, and give Drenthe's musical heritage—such as the work of Louis Henri Somer—a contemporary platform.<br>Since 2025, Somer has been part of the basic cultural infrastructure of Drenthe.
upcoming concerts
June 14, 2026
Podium Asserbos, Assen
MidSomernachtsdroom (in collaboration with Garage TDI)
June 21, 2026
Openluchttheater Borger
MidSomernachtsdroom (in collaboration with Garage TDI)
March 21, 2027
Grote Kerk Meppel (Ogterop On Tour)
About our name
Somer is named after Louis Henri Somer from Assen, a gifted violinist and composer. He studied violin at the conservatories of Amsterdam, Cologne, and Paris and served as concertmaster with the Groningen Music Association, now known as the North Netherlands Orchestra. Louis Somer's music has unjustly not been performed since his death in 1966, even though it certainly deserves a stage.
Rolf Verbeek
In addition to his position as conductor of Chamber Orchestra Somer, Rolf Verbeek has been associated with Camerata RCO (members of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra) as a permanent guest conductor since 2019. Last season, two CDs were released with this ensemble: Bruckner’s 6th Symphony in his own arrangement and the CD *Sehnsucht* featuring soloist Barbara Hannigan.<br>In recent years, Hannigan served as a mentor within the Equilibrium Young Artists program, during which Rolf served as assistant conductor for many international orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, the Munich Philharmonic, and the Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France.<br>Rolf has conducted many orchestras such as Phil Zuid, the North Netherlands Orchestra, and Phion.<br>After winning the Kersjes Prize in 2022, he will make his debut this season with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra and the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra.
The latest news
Organization
- Henk Kuiper (chairman)
- Frits van Dijk (secretary)
- Natasha Slagter (treasurer)
- Irene van der Molen (general member)
- Rolf Verbeek (artistic direction)
- Monique Verheugt (business management)
- Julia Droogers (production)
- Mirte Droogers (marketing)
Our partners
