VEK
“At times you can listen to heavenly perfection. A beautiful ensemble that plays with the music.” VNK Limburg over de cd Kopstukken (2011)
The Vocaal Ensemble Kerkrade, founded in 1976, occupies a special place in the sound city of Kerkrade. The choir performs a wide range of choral literature, from Renaissance to contemporary music by domestic and foreign composers.
Summary of the choir's highlights include:
- 2008: performance for Het Zondagochtend Concert from NPO Radio 4;
- 2009: concert trip to Rome, enlivening Holy Mass in St. Peter's and the Dutch Frisian Church (world premiere Missa Trinitas from Kentaro Sato);
- 2010: realization of the professional CD “VEKsclusief”;
- 2011: successful participation in the Internationale Koorwedstrijd Maasmechelen;
- 2011: participation in a masterclass by The King’s Singers;
- 2012: world premiere of a composition by Kentaro Sato,The waters of Prayer;
- 2013: winner of the Limburgs Korenfestival;
- 2014: Concert trip to Trier and first prize at the European Choir Festival in Mersch (Luxembourg);
- 2014: participation in the Nederlands Koorfestival.
In September 2013, the Vocaal Ensemble Kerkrade enjoyed a masterclass with the Japanese conductor Kentaro Sato and in March 2014 with Jetse Bremer, who immediately spontaneously wrote a composition for the choir. This was performed as the support act for a concert by the Nederlands Kamerkoor in the Parkstad Limburg Theater in Heerlen. In 2014, the Vocaal Ensemble Kerkrade co-organized and participated in a masterclass with the Nederlands Kamerkoor.
In 2016, the Vocaal Ensemble Kerkrade celebrated its 40th anniversary, of which 20 years as a women's choir. The highlight of this anniversary year was a beautiful Christmas concert in Parkstad Limburg Theater in Heerlen. There was also a project with the contemporary composer Joan Szymko op het programma.
In 2019 the women's choir participated in the Limburgs Korenfestival resulting in a first prize in category A and a second prize throughout the festival. This score gives the VEK the designation “NKF Excellent Choir 2019-2020”.
Vocaal Ensemble Kerkrade ziet uit naar de komende samenwerking met onder andere Harmonie St. Aemiliaan Bleijerheide en Studium Corale.