NHL Stendenchoir
The NHL Stendenchoir
The NHL Stendenchoir was founded in the early 1990s and consists of (former) students and (former) employees of NHL Stenden and Firda (formerly ROC Friese Poort and Friesland College). Traditionally the choir is a connecting factor for students, employees, education and the region. Hans de Wilde is conductor of the NHL Stendenchoir.
NHL Stenden Choir sings the Christmas Oratorio
– a concert with a special final chord.
The Christmas season will be heralded in Leeuwarden in festive style with a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's Christmas Oratorio. In the atmospheric Grote- or Jacobijnerkerk, the NHL Stenden Choir will perform the first and third cantatas of this oratorio on Thursday 11 December at 20:15 hrs.
In the first cantata, "Jauchzet, frohlocket", the music bursts forth in festive sounds, telling of the birth of Jesus. The third cantata, "Herrscher des Himmels", continues the Christmas story with hymns of praise by the shepherds. These two parts are filled with lively choruses and moving arias. The Promenade Orchestra provides the characteristic festive sound with trumpets and timpani. Together with soloists Tineke Roseboom (soprano), Dorien Lievers (alto), Leon van Liere (tenor), Timo Wang (bass) and organist Johan Bijhold, the choir will bring an atmospheric start to the Christmas season with this concert.
For conductor Hans de Wilde, this will be a farewell concert. After eleven years full of musical highlights, he will conduct his last concert with the NHL Stenden Choir this evening. His enthusiasm, craftsmanship and love of music have shaped the choir and inspired many choir members. As a trumpeter in heart and soul, he chooses a fitting final chord: "I will leave Leeuwarden with a loud trumpet fanfare," he says with a proud smile. "I can look back on a wonderful time with a great choir, in which we have done some special projects together." With this concert, the NHL Stenden Choir bids a grateful farewell to an enthusiastic and committed conductor.
In keeping with tradition, a collection will be taken after the concert for the Leeuwarden Food Bank. Admission is €10, and tickets are available via Adventsconcert.
Becoming a member of the NHL Stenden Choir
Students studying at NHL Stenden, Firda or RUG Campus Fryslân are welcome to join the NHL Stenden Choir. You do not need to audition and there are no costs involved. Choir material can be borrowed.
Employees working at NHL Stenden, Firda or RUG Campus Fryslân are welcome to sing with the NHL Stenden Choir. A voice test with the conductor will precede final application. The cost of choir material (e.g. sheet music or music booklets) is to be covered by the members themselves.
Rehearsals NHL Stenden Choir
Every Thursday (with the exception of education-free Thursdays) rehearsals take place from 19:45 – 21:55 in “The Mill”. The Mill is located on the Dokkumer Ee (=canal) side of the square between the two NHL Stenden buildings (Rengerslaan 8 and 10).
Concert schedule NHL Stenden Choir 2025
12 December 2025: Advent concert "Mary" by the NHL Stenden Choir in De Grote Kerk in Leeuwarden.
Interested?: apply at nhlstendenkoor@nhlstenden.com
Advisory Committee
The NHL Stenden Choir receives support from prominent people who have made it known that they wish to link their names to the choir. Together, they form the NHL Stenden Choir Advisory Committee. In the next four years, the following persons will take part in the committee:
- Leendert Klaassen
Chair advisory committee NHL Stenden choir and former chair Executive Board of Stenden university of applied sciences - Jouke de Vries
Chair Executive Board RUG and Campus Fryslân - Remco Meijerink
Chair Executive Board Firda - Sybrand Buma
Mayor Leeuwarden - Chris Fictoor
Composer, conductor, music educator and church musician - Erica Schaper
Chair Executive Board for Frisius MC
From classical to jazz!
Do you love to sing? Then join the NHL Stenden Choir!
The NHL Stenden Choir consists of (former) students and (former) staff of NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, RUG Campus Fryslân and Firda. From time immemorial, the choir has served as a link between students, staff, education and the region. Hans de Wilde is the conductor of the NHL Stenden Choir.
Our inspiring rehearsals are on Thursday evenings from 19.45 to 22.00 hrs in mill De Eendragt on the square between Rengerslaan 8 and 10.
You are welcome to attend a rehearsal. If you want more info, send an email to nhlstendenkoor@nhlstenden.com