May 2 – 7, 2023
It is a great pleasure to announce the fourth edition of the Stift Musical Encounters in May 2023. This will be held once again in and around the hub of the Stift Festival in the beautiful and historic Stift in Weerselo, Holland.
Applications have started (see underneath).

Join us for a flexible mix of individual classes and intensive chamber music, side by side with the internationally renowned faculty. We will spend the days rehearsing chamber music together, with coaching sessions and rehearsals well into the evenings. There are several concerts where the repertoire that we have worked on during the week will be performed. There will also be room for some individual masterclasses, and a concert dedicated to this ‘solo-repertoire’. A tradition of the SME has also become the spontaneous evening chamber music reading sessions in the Stiftskerk (Stift church).
We are delighted to announce the faculty members for this fourth edition will be: Daniel Rowland (violin), Dana Zemtsov (viola), Maja Bogdanovic (cello), Marianna Shirinyan (piano), Anthony Hewitt (piano) and Olivier Thiery (double bass).
More about the Masters
Repertoire
( – To be announced later – )
The participation fee is 550 euros (with a 50 euro discount per person when you are applying with a whole ensemble). This includes accommodation with host families and all meals: communal lunches and dinners. Travel costs are for your own account.
Applications are open for individual participants as well as existing duos, trios and quartets.
Schedule
Arrival will be on 2nd May in the morning, first sessions at 12 am
‘Master Concert’ Stiftkerk at 19.30
The week includes sessions, informal chamber music readings in evening and side-by-side concerts in the Stiftkerk as well as a concert at Muziekcentrum Enschede.
Final concert will be on Sunday 7th May at 15.30 and participants can schedule departure from 18.00 h.
Lessons and concerts take place at the gorgeous 15th century Stiftskerk and the Stiftschool next to it.
Those familiar with the Stift Festival will know the charming and very pretty setting and the famous Twents hospitality!
We like to receive a filled in application form (underneath) and a recording of minimum two contrasting pieces. Extended application deadline is March 20th, 2023 – we will notify applicants by 1st April.
–
Any questions? Please write to our director Ilonka van den Bercken at ilonka @ stiftmusicfestival.nl
The Masters

The internationally renowned Masters for the fourth edition
Daniel Rowland (violin), Dana Zemtsov (viola), Maja Bogdanovic (cello), Marianna Shirinyan (piano), Anthony Hewitt (piano) and Olivier Thiery (double bass).
More about the Masters
Locations
Studying, rehearsing, coaching and meals are to take place in the Stift School, next to the beautiful 15th century Stiftskerk (Stift Church).
Participants

Considering to participate?
Arriving on Tuesday, May 2nd in the morning and leaving on Sunday May 7th end of day: applications for the 2023 edition will be open starting mid January ’23.
Keep an eye on this website, and you can apply stating your instrument, teacher, experience and repertoire. Students who have applied, will receive a reply from us before April. Please, do not hesitate to inquire with any questions to our director Ilonka van den Bercken: ilonka @ stiftmusicfestival.nl.