Gaudeamus Foundation

Dutch music organization established in 1945 to promote and support young composers. The Gaudeamus Foundation and Contemporary Music Center were initially based in Bilthoven, headquartered at Huize Gaudeamus, an iconic '24 "Amsterdam school" villa built by architect Frants Edvard Röntgen (1904—1980), son of composer Julius Röntgen (1855—1932). In 1983, Gaudeamus Foundation left Bilthoven and moved to Amsterdam. Between 2008 and 2011, Gaudeamus was incorporated into Muziek Centrum Nederland and currently acts independently from Utrecht. The foundation is best known for Gaudeamus Muziekweek, the nation's oldest music festival, held annually since 1947 and the associated "Gaudeamus Award" given as an incentive prize for composers under 35.