Sold out Choir concert with royal attendance

On the 19^th of March in the Church of Our Lady of Laeken, about 150 musicians from three generations, from secondary and university music education as well as the alumni network, came together on stage for the sold-out KCB Choir concert. With ‘De Kracht van de Stem’, an exceptional collaboration emerged between young singers of KCB and the Kunsthumaniora Brussel and the KCB Alumni Orchestra, in collaboration with symphoniaASSAI. 

Under the direction of David De Geest, they paid tribute to two masterpieces from the choral repertoire by Gabriel Fauré and Leonard Bernstein. Although Gabriel Fauré and Leonard Bernstein belong to very different eras and musical worlds, they share a profound sensitivity for vocal expression. The two composers were brought together in this impressive evening in which the voice emerged as the ultimate means of expression: vulnerable, powerful, and deeply human.

This is due in part to Johan Hermans, cathedral organist of Hasselt, who performed the organ parts. Within the vaulted acoustics of the Church of Our Lady in Laeken, this sound acquired a special dimension: space and resonance heightened the serene intensity Fauré sought in every measure. Special was also the work of Wouter Lenaerts, KCB professor and composer, who provided a new transcription for all the string parts.

Programme

Leonard Bernstein (1918–1990)
~ Chichester Psalms (original orchestral version )

Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
~ Requiem (orchestral version, 1900; transcription: Wouter Lenaerts)

The full programme booklet can be found here.

Conductor

David De Geest

Organist

Johan Hermans

Concert master

Nicolas Dupont

Ensemble

~ Choirs of the Koninklijk Conservatorium Brussel and Kunsthumaniora Brussel
~ KCB Alumni Orchestra in cooperation with symphoniaASSAI

'Chichester' soloist quartet

Messíana Kristinsdóttir, Jorinde van der Wulp, Martin Gestido & Ernest Thonon

Sanele Mwelase,
countertenor – L. Bernstein

Sanele Mwelase is originally from South Africa. He is currently pursuing studies at KCB and is part of the MM Academy at La Monnaie/De Munt in Brussels. Recently, Sanele has been awarded with International Opera Award Bursary to continue honing their craft within the European soil.

Shireen Derky,
soprano

Shireen Derky was born in Syria and discovered classical music through her grandmother who is a music teacher and researcher. She currently studies with Michèle Losier in the KCB and was a part of the Studio PBA Charleroi in 2025.

Nathan Derkenne,
baritone – G. Fauré

Nathan Derkenne is a young baritone from Luxembourg currently studying at KCB in the class of Michèle Losier. He often performs as a soloist in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands, and frequently sings in choirs in major venues such as BOZAR, La Monnaie/De Munt, etc. 

For the second year in a row, Prince Laurent of Belgium honoured us with his presence at the KCB Choir concert. It gives us great pleasure that the Royal Family continues to show its interest and support for education and culture. 

This is all the more important this year at a time when these essential sectors are under pressure due to budget cuts.