Jules Baeten, clarinettist

Jules Baeten belongs to a new generation of Belgian clarinetists distinguished by refinement, conviction, and a natural musicality. With an honest and expressive playing style, he leaves a lasting impression as a soloist, chamber musician, and orchestral performer alike.

Jules has received prizes at several national and international competitions. He won First Prize at the “InMusic” Clarinet Festival Competition in Portugal (2022) and at the second edition of the Swiss International Music Competition in Switzerland. Earlier, he was awarded a Gold Medal at the Vienna International Music Competition in Austria and was selected as a “Classic Young Master” by the foundation of the same name in the Netherlands.

During the 2022/23 season, Jules was part of the fellowship programme of Sinfonia Smith Square (formerly Southbank Sinfonia). Since August 2023, he has held the position of principal clarinet with Philzuid. In addition, he is regularly invited as guest principal clarinet with leading orchestras including the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra, the National Orchestra of Belgium, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra, Opera Ballet Vlaanderen, and the Ulster Orchestra.

He previously gained orchestral experience with ensembles such as the European Union Youth Orchestra, the Gustav Mahler Jugendorchester, the BBC Philharmonic, and the Welsh National Opera. At both the BBC Philharmonic and Welsh National Opera, he was also on trial respectively for the positions of principal bass clarinet and sub-principal clarinet.

Throughout his career, Jules has collaborated with renowned conductors such as Marc Albrecht, Andrea Battistoni, Alexandre Bloch, Iván Fischer, Philippe Herreweghe, Eva Ollikainen, Lorenzo Viotti, Gábor Takács-Nagy, Elim Chan, and John Storgårds. His musical journey has brought him to some of Europe’s most prestigious concert halls, including the Concertgebouw, the Royal Albert Hall, the Musiikkitalo, and the Rudolfinum.

Jules began his musical education at the Academy for Music, Theatre and Dance in Maasmechelen with Michèlle Geerlings. At the age of fifteen, he was admitted to the Young Talent programme of the Conservatorium Maastricht, where he graduated cum laude in 2020 under the guidance of Roeland Hendrikx. He then continued his studies at the Royal Conservatory of The Hague with Olivier Patey, Rick Huls, and Davide Lattuada, earning his Master’s degree in 2022.

During his final examination recital, he performed the Dutch premiere of *At the Hills of Hampstead Heath*, a clarinet concerto by Emmy Lindström. For his exceptional artistic achievements, he received both the Fock Medal for the best final examination and a distinction for outstanding musicianship and visionary performance.

Additional inspiration came from the Saline Royale Academy with Sharon Kam and the Académie Musicale de Villecroze with Pascal Moraguès. He has also participated in masterclasses with distinguished clarinetists such as Nicolas Baldeyrou, Michael Collins, Nele Delafonteyne, Julien Hervé, Charles Neidich, Calogero Palermo, Annelien Van Wauwe, and others.

Alongside his activities as an orchestral and chamber musician, Jules is also a passionate teacher. With great enthusiasm, he guides young musicians in their artistic development and encourages them to discover and refine their own musical voice.