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 makes a fresh start: music connects!
What seemed to be a final chord turned out to be a new beginning. The uncertain period that followed the conductor's announced departure came to a very positive end shortly after the Christmas concert. Thanks to constructive cooperation between NHL Stenden and Firda, the choir can make a fresh start, with conductor Hans de Wilde.
Both educational institutions consider a choir that connects students and staff through music to be of great importance and will continue to provide financial support to the NHL Stenden Choir. Both the choir and the conductor are very pleased and grateful that they can sing together again and that there is a future for the choir. The choir will thus remain a connecting place where students and staff of NHL Stenden and Firda come together out of a shared passion for music.
In keeping with tradition, the choir will once again perform J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion, a work that has connected, moved and given meaning for many years. On Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April, this monumental work will be performed twice in the Grote Kerk Leeuwarden. The accompaniment will be provided by the Promenade Orchestra and six professional soloists. A special feature of these performances is the collaboration with two children's and youth choirs: Koorschool Drenthe and the Sint Vitus Jeugdkoor Leeuwarden.
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]