Tuner; with us since 2003.
Jan has always worked in organ building and has been employed by various organ builders. By looking into various ‘kitchens’ he learned that there are different ways to do things and that good and less good methods all determine the final result. The maintenance service is a broad package of activities at many locations both in the Netherlands and abroad. This variety has led Jan to stick to it and he still likes to learn. This is the case for him now in the field of pipe making and occasionally in that of voicing and intonation, in which most of the work is done on organs that already sound good and are well tuned.
In principle, the eastern corner of the country is Jan’s work domain. But he can also regularly be found elsewhere, due to his living in the middle of the country. The best job ever? From picturesque villages to large cities, all sorts of factors have determined for him what made a pleasant place to work. To name, however, just one example: being able to participate in re-foiling the front pipes of the Bavo in Haarlem was a lot of fun! Travel abroad, to such countries as Germany, the Scandinavian countries, Poland and Aruba are also often a nice change with their own dynamics, as is also close collaboration with colleagues on a job. The historic organs situated in historic churches are often a source of inspiration and job satisfaction. These instruments are, he says, a privilege to work on. Jan especially enjoys working abroad, savouring the (often completely) different atmosphere and culture that prevails there.
Playing the organ, (Jan is organist in PKN Barneveld) reading and eating out with his wife are his favourite hobbies. In addition, Jan also tries to be there for others, although that does not always work out because of the broad choice of interesting things. The most interesting discovery: that getting somewhere together (not always, but often) is more fun than trying to do everything on your own.
