PMZ - MEET THE TEAM
Ghassan Alaboud - Conductor/co-founder
is a conductor active across Europe and North America, known for his dynamic approach and expressive musical leadership. He has served as music director and principal conductor of several orchestras in the Netherlands and has appeared as a guest conductor with ensembles in a variety of international venues.
With a strong background in both orchestral and choral repertoire, his work spans the core symphonic tradition as well as diverse and innovative projects. In addition to his conducting activities, he is deeply committed to musical development and collaboration, working closely with musicians of all levels to achieve performances of clarity, energy, and artistic depth.
Nico Niemeijer - Chairman/co-founder
Nico Niemeijeris a passionate clarinetist. In everyday life, he is a retired pharmacist with a PhD, whose last job was as project leader in research at Janssen Pharmaceutica. He received his training in Friesland at the Harmonie Hallelujah in Makkum. He soon discovered the beautiful sound of the symphony orchestra and has played in various orchestras and ensembles since his early years.
He currently plays in the Symphony Orchestra Best (where he also serves as chairman), the klarinetNsemble in Hilvarenbeek, and takes lessons from Elisa Sgorbini in Utrecht.
Eric Pijper - General Board Member
Eric is a freelance actuarial analyst/pension specialist and project manager in his daily life. His musical journey began on the clarinet with the Koninklijke Biltse Harmonie. He soon switched to the bassoon. He received lessons from Jos van Agt, principal bassoonist of the now-disbanded USO, and Wilma Meijer, bassoonist with the Schönberg Ensemble. In recent years, he has played in various symphony orchestras, including the Tilburgs Festival Orkest (semi-professional) and Symfonie Orkest Midden Holland. Currently, he is principal bassoonist with the Filharmonisch Orkest ‘s Hertogenbosch, the semi-professional orchestra Brabant Sinfonia, and the Brabant Sinfonia Quartet. Additionally, he frequently participates in cantatas on a project basis and
Tijmen Van Ree - Concertmaster
Born in Enschede and raised in Meedhuizen, a small village in northeast Groningen, Tijmen combines a background in science with a strong passion for music. In 2023, he graduated from Delft University of Technology with a Master’s degree in Applied Physics and has since been working as a scientist at TNO in Delft.
Alongside this career, Tijmen has been an active violinist since the age of seven, performing in various orchestras. Since 2015, Tijmen has been a member of the Rotterdam Student Orchestra, serving as concertmaster since 2018. Other orchestral experience includes the Youth Music School Orchestra Groningen, Krashna Musika in Delft, and national ensembles such as the Dutch Student Orchestra and the Dutch Student Chamber Orchestra.
We would also like to thank Marietta Schwarz (treasurer-Viola leader/co-founder), and Marco Gutierrez (General board member - Cello leader) for their valuable input and continuous support for the board and the orchestra.