Jacob Slagter (b. 1958) began his career as a horn player in the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra and was appointed first solo hornist of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra in 1985. In 1987 he was awarded the Dutch Music Prize for his exceptional musical achievements.

Jacob Slagter worked closely with the world’s greatest conductors, including Bernard Haitink, Leonard Bernstein and George Solti, and performed as a soloist with Bernard Haitink, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Wolfgang Sawallischen and Riccardo Chailly.

Inspired by these examples, Jacob Slagter shifted his focus from horn playing to conducting and was invited to perform in this capacity with, among others, the Holland Symfonia, the Gelders Orchestra and the North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra. From 2004 onwards he regularly assisted Mariss Jansons conducting the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. In 2003, 2006 and 2009, he successfully led the Entrée-orkest (Youth Orchestra) projects of the Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He now focuses entirely on his role as a conductor.