Contributing Organists
Aarnoud de Groen, The Netherlands
Aarnoud de Groen (The Hague, 1971) received his first organ lessons at the age of 9. The first rudiments were taught to him by the organist Jan van Westenbrugge from Wateringen. After this, strongly influenced by the Zwart/Asma school, he continued his studies with Everhard Zwart in Rotterdam. In 1983 he was advanced enough to accompany services at the Christelijke Gereformeerde Kerk in Rijswijk and shortly afterwards was appointed organist. In 1984 he made his debut as a concert organist in a series of concerts on the organ of the Hervormde Kerk in Pijnacker. Due to his remarkable progress and the fact that his talent had not gone unnoticed, Aarnoud was regularly interviewed by the local press during this period.
In 1985 he was accepted into the combined school and music programme at the Royal Conservatory of the Hague. At this institute Aarnoud studied with Rienk Jiskoot. He also took interpretation classes with Ben van Oosten for some time. In 1990 the post of organist at the Hervormde Julianakerk in The Hague became vacant, due to the departure of Jan van Weelden, the previous organist. On account of the attractive instrument, Aarnoud decided to apply for the position. The application was successful and resulted in Aarnoud's appointment as organist at the Julianakerk. Since then, Aarnoud de Groen has become a much sought-after recitalist, playing on the most important instruments in the Netherlands and abroad. Aarnoud has toured England, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Germany and Switzerland. Aarnoud de Groen is the official accompanist of the Christelijk Residentie Mannenkoor. Due to the closure of the Julianakerk in 1997 the Vierdag organ was relocated to the Nederlandse Hervormde Bethlehemkerk in The Hague and Aarnoud de Groen moved there too with 'his' instrument.