Amsterdam Concert Hall Hosts Live Music Study Sessions

Inside Amsterdam's historic Concertgebouw, students hunched over laptops aren't being rude when they ignore the violinists and cellists performing above them. They're doing exactly what they're supposed to do: studying with live classical music as their soundtrack.

The sessions are organized by Entree, the youth association of the 135-year-old concert hall. For just €2.50, students can claim a plush red seat in the main auditorium, connect to free Wi-Fi, and tackle their coursework while professional musicians play.

The idea started during the COVID-19 pandemic when students were stuck studying remotely at home. Entree wanted to support isolated students while finding creative ways to welcome younger people into classical music venues.

"It's such an inspiring place to study with great music in this wonderful, beautiful environment," says Simon Reinink, the Concertgebouw's general director. The sessions aim to introduce young people to the venue in hopes they'll return for traditional concerts.

The program works better than organizers expected. Students return regularly during exam season, and many report surprise benefits from a music genre they rarely choose on their own.

"It's actually very calming and helping in concentrating on the work that we have to do, which is something that surprises me because normally I don't really listen to classical music," says Kyra Mulder, a 21-year-old occupational therapy student.

The Bright Side

Science backs up what students are experiencing. Professor Bas Bloem, a neurologist at Radboud University Medical Centre, explains that background music can create a state of flow, the sweet spot between being overchallenged and underchallenged.

"When you reach a state of flow, you can go on endlessly and be enormously productive," Bloem says. While music distracts some people, it helps others find their focus zone.

Medical student Thijmen Broekman agrees. "It's really quiet environment and nice quiet music so that helps me to concentrate," he says.

The sessions solve two problems at once: students get an affordable, beautiful place to study during stressful exam periods, and classical music venues connect with audiences who might never have walked through their doors otherwise.