As a professional chamber choir, we feel co-responsible for the development of talent in the choral sector, with the primary focus being the cultivation, support and development of top professional talent. We plan or participate in activities that support the development of young singers and aspiring choral conductors of excellence. We also want to encourage and inspire young talent so that they can shape the choral music of tomorrow.
But talent development is not just something for the very best. We also encourage children, youth and adults to get acquainted with choral music and to sing together, even if they have no experience. Our singers act as bridges in this process, inspiring and motivating others with their love of music. At this level, education and talent development are connected.
The two pillars on which our talent development policy is based:
talent development
Developing, entering and advancing (top) talent
As a professional chamber choir, we feel a shared responsibility for fostering talent in the choral sector, with a primary focus on nurturing, supporting, and developing top-level professional talent. We plan or participate in activities that support the development of young singers and emerging top-tier choral conductors. In addition, we aim to encourage and inspire young talent so they can shape the choral music of tomorrow.
However, talent development is not just for the elite. We also encourage children, young people, and adults to get acquainted with choral music and to sing together, even if they have no prior experience. Our singers act as a bridge in this process, inspiring and motivating others with their love for music. At this level, education and talent development are intertwined.
The two pillars on which our talent development policy is based:
talent development
Developing, entering and advancing (top) talent
Offering opportunities for talented singers and conductors to gain experience
Collaboration with Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam, extracurricular vocal training for children and young people aged 4-21
In 2019, Nieuw Vocaal Amsterdam and Cappella Amsterdam began a long-term collaboration, primarily focusing on the Nieuw Amsterdams Kinderkoor (ages 12-15) and the Nieuw Amsterdams Jeugdkoor (ages 15-21). Activities include the annual collaboration in December with the production A Ceremony of Carols at the Orgelpark in Amsterdam, and a biennial project where the youth choir not only has its own segment in the program but also has the opportunity to sing together with Cappella Amsterdam. In 2025, the children’s choir will perform a pre-concert before the annual performance of Kanon Pokajanen.
Talented NVA Youth Choir members (ages 15 to 21) with professional singing ambitions are given the opportunity to intern with Cappella Amsterdam.
Collaboration with the National Choirs
This includes offering guest lessons and internship opportunities.
Participation in Masters and Companions, organized by the Tettix Foundation
Over the course of three intensive weeks, conservatory students and alumni, the “Gezellen” (journeymen), learn the skills needed to sing at an international level in a professional a cappella chamber choir. Every other year, Cappella Amsterdam provides both the “master singers” and the conductor for this project.
Choral Conducting Masterclass (biennial).
Five talented conductors take part in a three-day masterclass with Daniel Reuss. These conductors are selected after an international announcement and registration process, in collaboration with the Dirigentenforum Deutschland. The masterclass concludes with a public presentation where the five young conductors will conduct Cappella Amsterdam.
Tenso CONNECT project
In late 2025, the finale of the CONNECT project will take place in Ankara, Turkey. This is an ambitious initiative of Tenso, in which we, along with nine European partners, work towards the international exchange of young singers and conductors. The project not only reflects our pursuit of artistic excellence but also our goal of building bridges between cultures and forging lasting connections within the international choral community.
developing and advancing (top) talent
offering opportunities to meeting and develop
Performances with educational offerings
The children’s opera Icarus (ages 10+), composed by Leonard Evers and based on the book Rebel with Wings by Marcel Roijaards, is scheduled for January 2026. Directed by Kenza Koutchoukali. The concert version is an oratorio for children. An oratorio? Well, an oratorio that spirals into a crackling musical theater piece, taking the audience along on Icarus’ boundless quest for freedom and adventure, ambition, and nonconformity. An educational offering will be developed for primary and secondary education (ages 10-14) alongside this production.
Cappella Amsterdam and amateur choirs
Cappella Amsterdam has developed a program for amateur choirs within and outside the region, where the expertise of professional singers is applied on a project basis. By partnering with two amateur choirs each year, Cappella Amsterdam ensures a significant quality boost for the respective choirs.