Calefax

Calefax Reed Quintet is an adventurous and innovative ensemble with an international career. The group originated 40 years ago as a quintet of high school students and has grown into a professional and acclaimed ensemble. Calefax now travels the world, performing approximately 60 concerts annually on the finest (inter)national stages for a growing group of listeners and fans. We also provide lessons and coaching to musicians worldwide, at conservatories and universities, to both professionals and amateurs. Calefax is known nationally and internationally for its “virtuoso playing, brilliant arrangements, and sparkling stage presence.”

As the inventors of the reed quintet, we are proud ambassadors of a new music movement: the International Reed Quintet Network. From Argentina to New Zealand, new reed quintets are emerging, following in our footsteps. The Calefax office is in Amsterdam and consists of a director, producer, marketer, and a Supervisory Board.

Want to know more? Visit our website, our YouTube channel, and the reedquintet.net platform.

 

The vacancy

What we offer is a position at the heart of one of Europe’s most successful chamber music groups. A diverse, inclusive work environment where creativity and professionalism go hand in hand. Calefax is an organization where everyone’s talent can flourish – primarily in the musical field, but also beyond. Remuneration is in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Music Ensembles, of which Calefax is a member.

We are looking for someone who

– is comfortable with the variety of styles in which Calefax operates;

– is available for approximately 60 concerts and other projects (recordings, educational projects, etc.) annually, and all rehearsals and meetings connected to those projects;

– lives (or will live) in the Netherlands, within commuting distance of Amsterdam;

– has a contribution that goes beyond simply making music.

We are looking for a bass clarinetist with a richly varied musicality and with commitment to the ensemble. While mastery of the instrument is of course paramount, we are also looking for someone who can enrich the group beyond musical practice and help it continue to innovate. Someone with an open mind, awareness of performance practice in 2025, and excellent social skills. Fluent Dutch or English (or both) are required. An affinity for the basset horn, and possibly the contrabass clarinet, is a plus.

The Process

The selection process consists of three rounds.

1 – Evaluating Applications (Round 1)

Your application consists of a cover letter, a resume, and three audio files.
The audio files are:
– a recording of yourself of your choice, less than three years old. This can also be a compilation of multiple pieces. Minimum 5′, maximum 10′.
– a recording of Prelude BWV 998 by J.S. Bach. The sheet music can be found here.
– a recording of the first 29 bars of Monologue by Isang Yun. The sheet music can be found here.

Please submit your application to Oliver Boekhoorn: oliver@calefax.nl by October 27, 2025. You will receive a confirmation e-mail with more detailed information about the further process.

2 – a trial rehearsal (round 2)

After the initial selection, we will hold an introductory rehearsal with several candidates; this will take place in December 2025. This is a session with the entire ensemble, including Oliver Boekhoorn (oboe), Bart de Kater (clarinet), Raaf Hekkema (saxophone), and Alban Wesly (bassoon). You will receive the repertoire for this session well in advance.

3 – Concerts (Round 3)

With a small number of final candidates, we will give concerts in the first few months of 2026. These concerts will be scheduled in coordination with the candidates’ schedules.

Calefax reserves the right to allow bass clarinetists we already know well to proceed directly to phase 2. We aim to complete the process before the summer of 2026.

For questions not answered above, please contact Oliver Boekhoorn (oliver@calefax.nl or +31 6 24702231) and Bart de Kater (bart@calefax.nl or +31 6 23570979).

Please do not use this vacancy for acquisition purposes.