Peter Dijkstra has held the position of first guest conductor of the Groot Omroepkoor since 1 September 2018. Dijkstra will be with the choir for a period of 4 seasons for about five weeks a year, conducting both a cappella and symphonic-vocal concerts in, among others, the AVROTROS Vrijdagconcert and the NTR ZaterdagMatinee. He is also responsible for the rehearsal of major works, as well as advising on vocal artistry. In this role, Dijkstra will collaborate with Benjamin Goodson, who, as chief conductor, is responsible in the first line for the choir's sound quality and development.

Peter Dijkstra studied at the conservatoires in The Hague, Cologne and Stockholm and was principal conductor of the Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks in Munich from 2005 to 2016. In 2007 he was also appointed chief conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir. Peter Dijkstra is in great demand as a guest conductor by all the world's renowned choirs and orchestras, and his CDs have received multiple awards. Peter Dijkstra also works as a professor at the Hochschule für Musik in Cologne. Peter Dijkstra started his professional career as assistant conductor of the Groot Omroepkoor and has returned regularly since.

Peter Dijkstra fulfils his work as principal guest conductor of the Groot Omroepkoor alongside his role as principal conductor of the Nederlands Kamerkoor. He has also been appointed honorary conductor of the Swedish Radio Choir in November 2019, where he was chief conductor from 2007 to 2018.

Roland Kieft, Director of the Netherlands Broadcasting Music Foundation:
'Together with the singers of the Groot Omroepkoor I am particularly pleased with the arrival of Peter Dijkstra as 1st Guest Conductor. His talent, experience and charisma make him one of the best choral conductors of the moment. The Groot Omroepkoor has a unique place in Dutch musical life and is of great importance in the performance of new symphonic choral music. With the arrival of Peter Dijkstra, we can further strengthen our artistic quality'.

Peter Dijkstra:
I am very happy with this new role with the Groot Omroepkoor. I took my first steps as a choir conductor with this choir and on my return last December I was impressed by its development.
The distinctive programming in the AVROTROS Friday Concert and the NTR Saturday Matinee challenges both artistically and vocally. I find it exciting to be able to play a part in that and look forward to doing so alongside my work as chief conductor of the Nederlands Kamerkoor'.