University organ
The organ in the Great Auditorium in the Academy Building has been played at walk-in concerts and University celebrations since 1998.
University organist
Inaugural lectures
With the installation of the Flentrop Organ in the Great Auditorium at Leiden University, the opportunity arose to add extra cachet to inaugural lectures (an inaugural lecture is a lecture that professors give on accepting their office.) The Rector Magnificus at the time, Prof. W.A. Wagenaar, therefore decided that the entry and exit of the cortege of professors would be accompanied by the organ. The inaugural lecture of Cleveringa Professor Prof. V.W. Sidel on 26 November 1998 was the first to be graced with music.
Valedictory lectures
The Academy Building can serve as a setting for not only inaugural lectures, which are always held in the Great Auditorium, but also valedictory lectures. The protocol for valedictory lectures is less categorial than the protocol for inaugural lectures. The organ does not have to be played at valedictory lectures but is an option. Consequently, there is sometimes an organist and sometimes not.
Walk-in concerts
To increase awareness of the organ outside the gates of Leiden University, the idea arose to hold a number of concerts. As of the spring of 1999, lunchtime walk-in concerts are held in April, May, June and July every year. Organists from home and abroad play the Flentro organ, and singers and musicians who play instruments other than the organ also perform. Details of concerts appear in the media and on the University website.
Spring programme
In the spring of 2026, we can look forward to the musical contributions of various musicians and vocalists:
Organists
- Carel Cames van Batenburg
- Marieke Stoel
- Willem Hörmann
- Mariusz Kozieł
- Cor de Jong
- Casper de Jonge
- Guus Theelen
- Sebastiaan van Delft
- Frank Resseler
- Herman Lodder
- Geerten van de Wetering
- Joël Boone
- Andries Bogerd
Other musicians and vocalists
- Yvonne Rietbergen (recorders)
- TRIO de Mast: Pieter de Mast (soprano saxophone, (alto) flute), and Modar Salama (percussion)
- Debby de Lima (soprano)
- Elma Dekker (soprano)
The walk-in concerts are made possible in part by TeekensKarstens Advocaten Notarissen.
Leiden Organ Day
Every year, Leiden Organ City Foundation (Stichting Orgelstad Leiden, SOL) organises an annual Organ Day. On this day, those interested have the opportunity to attend organ concerts at various venues in Leiden city centre. Since 1998, the Flentrop organ at Leiden University has also taken part in Organ Day.
Read more about the 40th Leiden Organ Day on 20 June 2026 (website in Dutch).
Heritage Open Days
On Heritage Open Days, the Academy Building is open to the public and guided tours are given of the building. On such days, the Musicians of the Academy Organ play the Flentro organ and visitors can take a look at the organ.
