Jasmijn has been playing violin with CineMusic for several years. We spoke with her about her passion for music, her work with the film orchestra, and her commitment to the CineMusic Academy.
What is your role at CineMusic and how did you join this orchestra?
“I am one of the orchestra’s first violinists. I ended up here thanks to my friend and fellow violinist Nina. She was already playing with CineMusic and was asked if she knew anyone else who would like to play here. Nina and I know each other from the conservatory and the School for Young Talent. I was immediately enthusiastic, because the music the CineMusic Film Orchestra plays is a beautiful crossover between classical and light music. I’m mainly active in the pop and jazz scene myself, so this fits perfectly with what I do.”
You’ve been playing the violin since you were six. How did that start?
“My grandmother plays the violin and put one in my cradle when I was only two weeks old. My mother didn’t want to force anything on me, so that violin went back to my grandmother’s house. Every time I was there, I wanted to play. Everything is more fun at grandma’s, so at some point I wanted one of my own. For as long as I can remember, the violin has been part of my life.”
Was it always fun?
“Certainly not. From the age of nine, I was already at a specialized school. Between fifteen and eighteen, I went through an ‘up-and-down period’. I had trouble practicing my violin, just typical teenage behavior. There were years when I seriously doubted if this was the right path. The turning point came around eighteen, when I realized how much time, energy, and money had already been invested in my studies. That was the moment I thought: do I really want to let this go?”
What makes the violin special to you?
“Making music together is the most beautiful thing there is. Music can say so much without words. It is accessible and felt by everyone. For me, playing is almost meditative. It’s a complete part of my life. Even though I’d still love to study criminology one day. But even if I decide to do that when I’m forty, I’ll always keep playing the violin at a high level.”
Were you able to make a living from music immediately after finishing the conservatory in The Hague?
“Yes, actually I was. I had built up a large network, which is one of my strengths. Because of that, I’ve been able to live entirely from my music for the past two to three years. These days I mainly play in permanent projects, including CineMusic.”
What do you do besides CineMusic?
“I have my own string quartet with which I do crossover projects. I also work a lot in studios for pop and jazz artists, especially with Son Mieux, for whom I record all the string parts. I also work with Meau and other Dutch artists. Furthermore, I accompany permanent choirs in The Hague and typically play five Christmas concerts a year. I love the variety: one week I’m in the Concertgebouw, the next day I’m playing in someone’s living room, and after that in the Ziggo Dome.”
You also work for the Residentie Orkest. What do you do there?
“I work eight hours a week at the Residentie Orkest coordinating projects at schools in disadvantaged neighborhoods, especially in the Schilderswijk and Laak. We organize music education and projects with orchestra members. This gives children, who otherwise hardly come into contact with music or leisure activities, the chance to develop musically.”
What does that work mean to you?
“It really gives me a sense of purpose, alongside the performing itself. Performing is great, of course, but sometimes it feels a bit like ‘look at me’. Every year I think: I should stop the work for the Residentie Orkest because it breaks up my week. But in the end, it’s exactly what motivates me to keep going with music.
You see what music can do for children with learning difficulties or difficult home situations. Some children can’t read a word at ten years old, but they can play the violin beautifully and express themselves that way. That is incredibly inspiring.”
CineMusic is also working on a youth program. Are you involved in that?
“Yes, I’d love to help build the CineMusic Academy. Making music accessible and giving young people the chance to get to know this form of music fits perfectly with what CineMusic does and what I find important.”
What makes CineMusic special?
“That this organization connects worlds, within music but also beyond. Many people who go to the theater or movies have never seen them combined. CineMusic brings the classical world together with the pop band world: you play both with a band and in a more classical setting. It’s a close-knit group with a positive atmosphere, and that makes it special to be a part of.”
What would you still like to achieve with CineMusic?
“I hope we can tour with a larger line-up. What we’ve already achieved is fantastic. John (initiator John van der Sluijs, ed.) has built a beautiful bridge between entrepreneurship and music, and that’s inspiring.
But with four first violins and three second violins, it’s sometimes difficult to perform the repertoire properly. A slightly larger line-up and a full tour season, heading towards AFAS Live and other large venues, would be amazing. Then the product really comes into its own.”
And personally, what do you still want to achieve?
“I’m right in the middle of the phase of: what do I actually want? I want to invest more in myself and my playing. After my studies, I started playing everywhere and anywhere. Now I want to discover what my specialization is, who I am as a musician. At the same time, I know: if I only do one thing, I won’t be happy. I want to do a hundred things. Maybe that variety is exactly what gives me the most satisfaction.”
Want to know more about the CineMusic Academy? Check out cinemusicacademy.nl.