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About
Flanders Symphony Orchestra is a Flemish symphony orchestra founded in 1960. The orchestra was based in Bruges for a long time and moved to Ghent in 2017. The orchestra is in residence at De Bijloke Music Center in Ghent. The orchestra gives concerts in all major Flemish cities and is a guest at international festivals in France, Germany and the Netherlands, among others.
The orchestra was founded in 1960 under the name Westvlaams Orkest on the initiative of Dirk Varendonck, who was also the first conductor. In 1984 it was renamed New Flemish Orchestra. From 1986 the conductors were Patrick Peire, Robert Groslot and Fabrice Bollon. In 1995 the orchestra changed its name: The Flanders Symphony Orchestra and the orchestra was reorganized under the direction of director Dirk Coutigny. In 1998 the Briton David Angus became chief conductor, followed in 2004 by the Flemish Etienne Siebens. From 2010 to 2013, the Japanese Seikyo Kim was chief conductor and from 2013 Jan Latham-Koenig, who is saying goodbye at the end of the 2018-2019 season.