Percussion Friends

What Percussion Friends does

Stichting Percussion Friends, operating as Percussion & Friends, is a Dutch non-profit cultural foundation headquartered in Weert, Netherlands, specializing in percussion music education, workshops, and custom performances. Founded in 2005, the organization serves primary schools, music associations, individual musicians, and corporate/institutional clients across the Southern Netherlands region (Limburg and Brabant). Its service portfolio spans five interconnected pillars: the annual Percussion & Friends Festival (flagship event held at Adams Music Centre in Ittervoort), the Drum je vrij! school curriculum (reaching approximately 3,500 children between 2021 and 2025), the Knutselconcert craft-and-concert program, professional Les & Coaching services for associations and teachers, and tailored concert programs such as Breath of Life, Wish, and Schop in de grond for corporate events.

The organization is led by Yvonne van de Pol (Director) and Maikel Claessens (Artistic Leader since 2024), supported by a board including Chairman John van Riemsdijk and Treasurer Richard Dumont. The delivery team comprises roughly 20 named professional percussionists, conductors, and educators, most trained at top Dutch conservatories (Conservatorium van Amsterdam, Fontys, Codarts Rotterdam, Conservatorium Maastricht), with several holding positions in professional orchestras such as the Philharmonie Zuidnederland, Nederlands Douane Orkest, and Mannheimer Philharmoniker. The workforce appears to include a mix of contracted staff and freelance musicians rather than a large full-time employee base, consistent with the 11-50 employee range reported.

Revenue is generated through a mix of workshop and lesson fees, ticketed concert sales (€17.50 per Passieconcert ticket), masterclass fees (€25 per 30-minute session), tax-deductible donations under the organization's cultural ANBI status, and government subsidies from regional and national Dutch cultural funds (Cultuurregio Noord-Limburg, Gemeente Weert, Provincie Limburg, Cultuurfonds, VSB fonds, SENA performers fonds). Distribution is direct and event-driven: on-site delivery to schools and associations, ensemble management (Percussion Ensemble Weert since January 2024, Expeditie BOEM Roggel), and the annual festival venue. Marketing relies on the website, email newsletter, and a network of 25+ regional partners including Adams Musical Instruments, TROMP Percussion Eindhoven, CultuurPerron, and Harmonie St. Joseph 1880.

Name

Percussion Friends

Legal name

Stichting Percussion Friends

Website

https://percussionfriends.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Stichting Percussion Friends is a Dutch non-profit foundation delivering percussion music education, workshops, concerts, and an annual festival to schools, music associations, individuals, and corporate clients across the Southern Netherlands region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Education

NAICS

Performing Arts Companies (7111), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

SIC

Musical Instruments (3931)

akta.pro primary industry

Group Music Classes & Ensembles (Band, Orchestra, Choir) (EDAMANAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Private Music Lessons (Instrumental) (EDAMANAA), Early Childhood Music Education (Ages 0–7) (EDAMANAD), Live Music Clubs & Venues (MPAGAIAB)

Keywords

• Percussion education
• Music workshops
• School music programs
• Percussion performances
• Music festival organization

Headquarters

HQ city

Weert

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Workshop and lesson fees: Fees for slagwerklessen (percussion lessons), coaching sessions for music associations, and professional development for teachers.
2. Festival participation and masterclasses: Revenue from festival workshops (masterclass €25 per 30-minute session) and festival participation activities.
3. Concert tickets and performances: Ticket sales for concerts such as the Passieconcert (€17.50 per ticket) and custom corporate performances.
4. Donations and cultural ANBI contributions: Tax-deductible donations as a cultural ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) organization, with fiscal benefits for donors.
5. Government subsidies and foundation grants: Funding from Cultuurregio Noord-Limburg, Gemeente Weert, Provincie Limburg, Cultuurfonds, VSB fonds, and SENA performers fonds.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Percussion & Friends is a cultural foundation that delivers percussion-focused music education, workshops, and live concerts to schools, music associations, and the general public. Its portfolio includes the Drum je vrij! curriculum for primary schools, Knutselconcert craft-concert programs, Les & Coaching for professional percussionists and associations, and a calendar of themed concert performances (Breath of Life, Wish, Schop in de grond). The flagship is the annual Percussion & Friends Festival held at Adams Music Centre in Ittervoort.

Product overview

Percussion & Friends is a cultural organization operating as a unified service offering centered around percussion music education and performance. The portfolio consists of five interconnected pillars: the annual Percussion & Friends Festival (flagship event with workshops and concerts), educational programs (Drum je vrij! school curriculum and Schooleducatie), workshop offerings (introductory workshops, Knutselconcert craft concerts, and Les & Coaching for professionals), and concert programs (Breath of Life, Wish, and Schop in de grond performed by the Percussion & Friends Ensemble). These services are designed to serve schools, associations, individuals, companies, and event venues, with the Drum je vrij! and Knutselconcert serving as key entry-point programs that introduce participants to percussion music and drive enrollment in coaching and ensemble activities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Percussion & Friends Festival Annual percussion festival featuring workshops, concerts, and masterclasses (including a masterclass with Founder Vincent Houdijk at €25 per 30-minute session, max 3 participants). Free festival participation with lunch and registration, capped at 20–25 participants per workshop. Open to youth percussion groups and the general public.
• Drum je vrij! Music education curriculum for primary school students (groups 3-8) combining percussion instruction with cultural exploration of world music traditions and instruments. Flexible lesson plans covering listening skills, teamwork, leadership, and presentation; reached approximately 3,500 children between 2021 and 2025; delivered at primary schools (e.g., Basisschool de Opbouw, Basisschool Karel de Grote, Montessorischool Weert).
• Knutselconcert Activity combining percussion instrument crafting, a percussion workshop, and a concert presentation. Includes a crafting manual with 11 different percussion instrument designs and guided instructions for participants.
• Les & Coaching Professional development services for associations, percussion groups, teachers, conductors, and individuals including rehearsal coaching, workshops, and continuing education programs.
• Schooleducatie Percussion lessons and educational programs for primary, secondary, special, and vocational education institutions, offered as custom or standardized programs.
• Workshops Various percussion workshops including introduction workshops, craft concerts, and custom programs for events, festivals, and team building activities.
• Breath of Life Concert Program Concert program featuring film music arranged for marimba duo, including works from Titanic, Gladiator, Interstellar, and other iconic films. Duration 50 minutes, suitable for adults.
• Wish Concert Program Concert program featuring Disney "I want" songs arranged for marimba, vibraphone, and voice, including pieces from Moana, Frozen, The Lion King, and other Disney films.
• Schop in de grond (Groundbreaking Act) Custom corporate event percussion concert performed on construction materials, designed for groundbreaking ceremonies and milestone celebrations (e.g., BurgtBouw jubilee, Sint Jans Gasthuis Weert groundbreaking).
• Percussion & Friends Ensemble Professional percussion ensemble performing at various venues and events, led by Vincent Houdijk.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3,500 children educated through Drum je vrij! program (2021-2025)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• TROMP Percussion EindhovencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Long-standing school education partnership since 2018. Percussion & Friends delivers Drum je vrij! program at schools on behalf of TROMP Percussion, reaching thousands of children annually.
• Adams Musical InstrumentscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFestival location sponsor at Adams Music Centre in Ittervoort. Adams provides exhibition space for their musical equipment during festivals and collaborates on workshop programs.
• Cultureel LintcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional cultural partner network in Weert. Collaborates on cultural events including the annual Cultureel Lint festival with percussion performances and workshops.
• Harmonie St. Joseph 1880 WeertcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-standing collaboration with this 140+ year old music association. Percussion & Friends manages Percussion Ensemble Weert under this umbrella and collaborates on concerts including New Year's concert and Passion concert.
• Percussion Ensemble WeertcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner70-year-old percussion ensemble under leadership of Percussion & Friends team since January 2024. Organization provides all rehearsals and direction.
• Adams Music CentrecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVenue partner at Ittervoort for annual Percussion & Friends Festival. Provides facilities for workshops, concerts, and equipment exhibitions.
• CultuurPerroncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCenter for cultural education in Midden Limburg. Collaboration on Knutselconcert activities, particularly in Thorn location.
• Percussive Arts Society NLminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational chapter of international percussion society for professional development and industry connection.
• Prinses Christina ConcoursminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMusic competition organization providing platform for young musical talent.
• RICK WeertminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional cultural organization in Weert collaborating on music education and events.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Codarts Rotterdam: Codarts University of the Arts is a Rotterdam-based conservatory that trains classical percussionists, including Percussion & Friends' Artistic Director Maikel Claessens. Comparable as a talent pipeline but operates at a higher-education rather than school/community level.
• Conservatorium van Amsterdam: Conservatorium van Amsterdam is one of the Netherlands' leading conservatories and the academic home of several Percussion & Friends musicians. Comparable as a supplier of trained professional percussionists, but operates as a degree-granting institution rather than a school/community program.
• Fontys Hogeschool voor de Kunsten: Fontys Academy of the Arts (Tilburg) is a Dutch performing arts and music conservatory from which multiple Percussion & Friends team members graduated. Comparable as a talent source and adjacent arts education provider but not a direct competitor for school programs.
• Adams Music Centre / Adams Musical Instruments: Adams Musical Instruments is a leading European manufacturer of percussion instruments and operates the Adams Music Centre in Ittervoort, where Percussion & Friends hosts its annual festival. As host and equipment sponsor, it is a close ecosystem partner but not a direct competitor.
• Prinses Christina Concours: Prinses Christina Concours is a Dutch music competition for young talent. It is comparable as a cultural non-profit developing young musicians and is an established GTM/marketing partner of Percussion & Friends for student talent pathways.
• Percussive Arts Society (PAS) Netherlands Chapter: The Percussive Arts Society is the international professional association for percussionists, with a Netherlands chapter affiliated with Percussion & Friends. Comparable as a professional community and standards body but does not deliver direct music education services.

Direct peers

• Leerorkest Amsterdam: Leerorkest brings music lessons and ensemble playing to primary school children in Amsterdam via in-school programs. It is comparable as a Dutch non-profit delivering music education directly to primary schools with professional musicians, mirroring Percussion & Friends' Drum je vrij! school model.
• TROMP Percussion Eindhoven: TROMP Percussion Eindhoven organizes the international percussion competition and festival in Eindhoven, Netherlands, and runs school education programs. It is the closest regional peer to Percussion & Friends, sharing both percussion specialization and a Dutch Limburg/Brabant operational footprint; the two organizations are already delivery partners since 2018.
• CultuurPerron: CultuurPerron is a center for cultural education in Midden-Limburg (successor to Myouthic, where Director Yvonne van de Pol previously worked). It is a direct regional peer delivering cultural/music education programming across the same Southern Netherlands catchment.

Emerging players

• Stichting Méér Muziek in de Klas: Méér Muziek in de Klas is a Dutch national foundation promoting music education in primary schools through partnerships, funding and curriculum. It overlaps with Percussion & Friends' Drum je vrij! school program in mission and is a logical channel for scaling the curriculum nationally.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/PercussionFriends
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/percussion-friends1

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Percussion Friends