The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra is the symphony orchestra of Flanders (Belgium), based in the Queen Elisabeth Hall in Antwerp. The orchestra is led by chief conductor Elim Chan and honorary conductor Philippe Herreweghe. The organisation, which is one of the seven art institutions of the Flemish Community, is one of the most important cultural representatives in the region. It is one of only two Belgian orchestras (together with the OPRL in Liège) that have the right to style themselves as "royal", hence its full name "Antwerp Symphony Orchestra - the royal philharmonic orchestra of Flanders". Since its inception in 1955, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra’s mission has been to reach the widest possible audience with a classical and contemporary symphonic repertoire. In Belgium, the orchestra performs in its Antwerp home base every season, as well as in East Flanders (Muziekcentrum De Bijloke), West Flanders (Concertgebouw Brugge), Limburg (Cultuurcentrum Hasselt) and Brussels (Bozar/Paleis voor Schone Kunsten/Centre for Fine Arts). As a cultural ambassador of Flanders, the orchestra undertakes international tours in and outside Europe every season. In addition to its regular concerts, the Antwerp Symphony Orchestra also pays attention to youth work and social projects for people with a disability or from a migrant background. In 2016, the orchestra received the “Iedereen Klassiek” award from Flemish public radio broadcaster Klara for this. Joost Maegerman has been the orchestra’s intendant/managing director since 2015. Names The orchestra has changed names several times since its inception: from April 2017 Antwerp Symphony Orchestra from September 2002 Koninklijke Filharmonie van Vlaanderen / Royal Flemish Philharmonic – deFilharmonie for short from July 1985 Koninklijk Filharmonisch Orkest van Vlaanderen from January 1983 Filharmonisch Orkest van Vlaanderen at its foundation in 1955 De Philharmonie van Antwerpen Origins & history Origins The orchestra is part of a long tradition of philharmonic associations in Antwerp. Its oldest precursor is the Société Royale d’Harmonie d’Anvers (which still operates today under the name Sorodha). This music association, which was founded in 1814, had a large number of members and a very bourgeois, edifying agenda: to promote and develop the moral well-being of Antwerp’s population through classical music. The Antwerp Symphony Orchestra can trace its roots directly to the Koninklijke Maatschappij voor Dierkunde (KMDA) or Antwerp’s Royal Zoological Society. From its inception in 1843, this society focused on zoology and nature conservation. In 1895, the Koninklijke Maatschappij voor Dierkunde founded an orchestra to give concerts