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

Jan Verschuren

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.

Photo of the cortege preceding the inaugural lecture of Cleveringa Professor Prof. V.W. Sidel on 26 November 1998 in the Great Auditorium at the Academy Building at Leiden University. — The inaugural lecture of Cleveringa Professor Prof. V.W. Sidel on 26 November 1998 was the first to be graced with organ 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, a lunchtime walk-in concert has been held on Wednesdays in April, May and June 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.

Leiden Organ Day

Every year, Leiden Organ City Foundation (Stichting Orgelstad Leiden, SOL) organises an organ tour through Leiden city centre on the first Saturday in June. Anyone interested has the opportunity to attend concerts featuring Leiden organs. Since 1998, Leiden University's Flentro organ has also been among the organs played on Organ Day.

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.