Founded in 1984 and led by Arie van Beek, the Orchestre de Picardie stands out in the French musical landscape because of the breadth of its activities and the modernity of its mission: an extensive repertoire, promoting local incentives, a diversity of regional partnerships, sustained actions in favour of artistic and cultural education, professionalisation and transmitting new forms of artistic expression.

The Orchestre de Picardie was the first orchestra to receive the designation ‘Orchestre national en région’ in July 2018. Having long championed innovation, the orchestra has decided to specify its vision for the 2019-20 season, which is largely dedicated to female composers, so long overlooked by music history. This season brings the premiere (in November 2019) of the concerto for clarinet and cello The Sound of Trees by Camille Pépin, composer-in-residence since 2018.

The Orchestre de Picardie – Orchestre national en région Hauts-de-France – is sustained the regional council of Hauts-de-France, the DRAC Hauts-de-France, the Ministry of Culture, Amiens-Metro and the department councils of l’Aisne and la Somme.

SACEM supports the composition residency of the Orchestre de Picardie.

Orchestre de Picardie is a member of the Association Française des Orchestres (AFO).