Mini-Concert BARAK
Barak: the duo was born from a shared passion for storytelling, rhythm and sound. The name refers to the miners' barracks in the Limburg mining region, where people from different cultures lived together and built a new community. That same openness resonates in the music of Gregory Ksiondzyk (saxophone) and Pieter Vincken (percussion). Their programme offers a surprising blend of contemporary concert works, tango, film music and original compositions, allowing both musicians to express their own musical voice.
Gregory studied saxophone, piano and composition at the Music Academy of Maasmechelen and the Maastricht Conservatorium, where he obtained his master's degree in 2017. He attended numerous masterclasses and won the 2019 VLAMO Composition Competition for wind orchestras. In addition, he is active as a conductor with various ensembles in Belgium and abroad. After his classical training, he specialised in jazz and improvisation, leading to performances with big bands such as ‘de Mobb’. Since 2012, he has taught a variety of music subjects at the Music Academy of Maasmechelen. Since 2019, Gregory has also worked as a producer and studio musician for ‘Wanted Music Group’, creating national and international productions.
After completing his bachelor's degree in Jazz and Light Music at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp, Pieter continued with a master's degree in Performing Arts Education and wind band conducting. He also studied percussion at LUCA School of Arts in Leuven and KASK School of Arts in Ghent, and completed instrumental conducting studies with Kevin Houben. He is currently a percussion and ensemble teacher at the Music Academy of Maasmechelen. In addition, he performs with several orchestras, including the Belgian National Orchestra, La Monnaie and the Orchestre Philharmonique Royal de Liège.
