As the bus from the Johann Strauss Orchestra travels through the vast landscape of the United States to the next concert venue, are (from left to right in photo) Els Mercken, Kalki Schrijvers, Lara Meuleman and Linda Custers not lazy watching a movie or taking a nap. They are engrossed in their study.

Before they began their studies, their bus was loud talk and much laughter. "We were festive-bus, now we are the study-bus. "A few months a year they travel with Andre Rieu and around 55 other musicians on all continents and play in large halls or open air concerts in the mega show. "We have no nine-to-five job, the lack of regularity is precisely the freshness of our lives. This allows study that fits well with the Open University."

On tour

It took some effort to set a date for an interview and a photo session, because the Johann Strauss Orchestra Andre Rieu regularly performs abroad. "We have about 110 gigs a year and we are sure 30 percent of the time on tour, thats part of our work," laughs singer Kalki Schrijvers (32). "We always speak of the tour of Germany, the Austria-France tour or the tour. In the United States this year have been three times. Australia and New Zealand are in the autumn in the program, but we are just late August in Heerenveen."

Intellectual wind

Beginning in June  the orchestra was at its home base in Maastricht and rehearsed there for a number of concerts in July at the Vrijthof. Morning were for rehearsing, so there was time enough for an afternoon interview. If that conversation would not have had Linda Custers (35, viola) there is a different time-budget conscience: studying. For what began as a pastime in October last year, when she studied Cultural Studies, has become a true passion for her. "I can at night sometimes appreciate that what I've learned again." Her enthusiasm was contagious. Kalki is also studying Cultural Sciences. Lara Meuleman (30, violin) ordered a free orientation course and has now reached the base module of Psychology. Els Mercken (32, violin) started with Management Science and has already successfully passed the first exam. Since Linda was the spirit, one intellectual breeze blows through the orchestra. Because some other orchestra members, remarkably all women, have plans for a training course at an institution that offers distance education.

Pure interest

Linda is an Arts and Culture Major to study her position in the labor market? "Absolutely not, while Andre Rieu continues, I continue to play in his orchestra. I wanted to do something. If we are on tour, we sit hours in the bus and the morning we usually have nothing to do. I can read a book to pass the time but I get too loose, the content does not take root." Culture has always interested her and she had the habit of Kalki in foreign museums. "In the introductory module there was much art. We are now much more informed in a museum."

Linda would also make training compulsory courses and no training. After a long search they came via the Internet at the Open University: 'It seemed to me something'. Els, the Open University also offers the freedom they need. Management Sciences for her study they only need a transitional program of seven modules to follow in order to be admitted to their master. That's because several years ago she, along with her conservatory training, got her law degree. She is free to choose the modules. Not only in the conservatory did Els find time for another study, Lara did also with a higher vocational Nursing Conservatory. "For Nursing I had only one internship and a thesis. Then I got a job in the orchestra of Andre and music was my first choice. The psychological aspects of nursing I found most interesting, so I have chosen Psychology, of course."

Discipline

While studying for all four is not peculiar, it was still getting used to sitting behind the books. Their study experience dated from years ago which made it pretty easy to advance here. "In the beginning I had difficulty concentrating," says Lara. "I had read a chapter sometimes twice. Now I concentrate." They also use the practice tests to see if they are doing well and to gain self confidence. "Anything else I should know, I learn too much detail," said Linda as a student starting off. "I was even nervous when I first made a practice test," admits Lara.

 
With discipline it should be alright, because that is what Kalki says to them is mother's milk. "It's not like you after your high school graduation decision to play an instrument. I started on my eighth with the cello and then practice every day. This is more if you want to the conservatory. Discipline comes automatically."
Independent study, is an important skill for a distance learning student who follows, a  routine if you are a professional music training according to Linda. "In the conservatory you have one hours a week learning in your major. A week after that you show what you learned on your guitar. Nobody encourages you to consistently practice that week."

No pressure

Cultural Studies has opened up a world for Linda. "I almost sucking the information off of the pages." Interest and enthusiasm are also important success factors. "I see Cultural Studies as general development. If I finish, I see later. For now I plan one module per two months, I have two and a half years after my foundation course." So think about Kalki also: "I have only short-term. First, see how it goes,  I do not feel pressure to graduate." Lara looks like Els, not far ahead, although they had vague plans for a doctoral thesis on workload in professional orchestras and Els for the Master of Management Science phase is not far away. Their study has still a winner.

Do students at the Open University sometimes wrestle with studying in solitude? Kalki, Els, Lara and Linda live in an orchestra that is a close group. "We do a lot together, we travel together, have breakfast together and play together" According to Kalki, they are more than ordinary colleagues: "We can not ignore each other and share ups and downs."  It is, therefore logical that they stimulate each other to the "rest-hours" of their useful life irregular hours. "There is enough time between tackling a textbook. We have learned to use our time efficiently. "