Stadsorgelconcert in de Grote of St. Bavokerk

Rik Melissant studied organ and piano at the Rotterdam Conservatory (Codarts) with teachers Ben van Oosten, Bas de Vroome, Aart Bergwerf, Zuzana Ferjenčíková, and Christian Schmitt. Since September 2020, Rik has focused on church music, studying hymnology and cantorate with Arie Hoek, liturgy with Hanna Rijken and church organ playing with Hayo Boerema. He also took advanced courses in choral conducting with Wiecher Mandemaker, orchestral conducting with Joost Geevers, and harpsichord with Bas de Vroome. In 2023, he finished his organ studies with the highest distinction. Rik attended masterclasses and private lessons with Reitze Smits, Matteo Imbruno, Arjen Leistra, Michel Bouvard, Olivier Latry, Adriaan Hoek, Gerben Budding, Thomas Ospital (Paris), and Frédéric Blanc (Paris). 

He has won several international competitions, including the International Ambitus Organ Competition (2017 and 2019) and the International César Franck Competition in 2022 at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Bavo in Haarlem. Rik is currently doing a master’s degree in organ at the Rotterdam Conservatory studying with Zuzana Ferjenčíková and Hayo Boerema. He is conductor of two choirs and has been teaching organ and piano lessons at the Van Oranje Music School in Wijk en Aalburg and the Muziekgebouw Goeree- Overflakkee. 

From May to October, concerts are held on Tuesday evenings and also on Thursday afternoons in July and August in the Grote or St. Bavokerk by renowned organists from home and abroad.