From 16-30 July 2016 the attractive historical town of Haarlem will be the stage of the 51st International Organ Festival. After the very first Improvisation Competition in 1951, the fame of the Haarlem Organ Festival quickly spread far beyond Holland. Once again this year prominent organ specialists, students from more than 30 countries and many music lovers from Holland and abroad will gather to share their passion for the King of Instruments. The world-famous Baroque organ in St Bavo’s and the romantic instrument in the Philharmonie concert hall are at the very heart of the festival. But several other fine organs elsewhere in town can also be enjoyed. Besides the three rounds of the Improvisation Competition, the 16-day festival offers some 40 activities in the historic town centre and excursions to historic churches and fine instruments in Alkmaar, Rotterdam, Zutphen, Doesburg, Zwolle and Leiden.