Doctoral defense of Thomas Geudens

Doctoral defence

Thomas Geudens will defend his doctoral research in the Arts, titled: "Orchestrating for amateur ensemble musicians".

During his doctoral research, Thomas Geudens investigated how orchestration can contribute to enjoyable and meaningful collaborative music-making in amateur orchestras. Drawing on his experience as a conductor of amateur symphonic orchestras, he engaged in dialogue with composers, arrangers, and musicians. They discussed what makes sheet music enjoyable, just barely playable, or tedious, and put it to the test. The result is FACETS, a new orchestration framework that helps composers and arrangers write and orchestrate music tailored to amateur musicians. FACETS demonstrates how arranging for amateurs is not merely a simplification, but an artistic and pedagogical practice that allows musicians to grow through shared musical experiences. With his doctoral research, Thomas offers new insights into the musical workings of amateur ensembles, which can contribute to a renewed appreciation for this sector.

The doctoral defense will take place on Friday, 12 December 2025 in the Chamber Music Hall at LUCA School of Arts, Lemmensberg 3, 3000 Leuven. The day’s program will unfold as follows:

14u00 – 14u15: Welcome by the chair of the examination committee
14u15 – 14u45: Presentation of the research by Thomas Geudens
14u45 – 16u00: Q&A with the jury members
16u00 – 16u15: Closed meeting of the examination committee. The jury withdraws for deliberation
16u15 – 16u30: Proclamation and laudatio by the supervisor and chair of the examination committee
16u30: Reception

The examination committee includes:

Dr. Simon Van Damme (chairman of the examination committee, dean of the Associated Faculty of Arts, KU Leuven)
Prof. dr. Thomas De Baets (supervisor, LUCA School of Arts / KU Leuven)
Prof. dr. Jeroen D’hoe (co-supervisor, LUCA School of Arts / KU Leuven)
Jan Van der Roost (member of the supervisory committee, composer / conductor)
Prof. dr. Joris Vlieghe (KU Leuven)
Em. prof. dr. Carl Van Eyndhoven (LUCA School of arts / KU Leuven)
Dr. Verena Bons (Freiburg University of Music)
Dr. Linda Hendriks (Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen)