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Meesters&Gezellen: where young talent and experience come together

What do you get when you bring together Holland’s most promising young singers with seasoned professionals? You get Meesters&Gezellen: an annual project in which vocal students have the opportunity to develop within a professional choir. At Cappella Amsterdam we are committed to encouraging young talent, and participating in this project is a perfect way to pass on our passion for ensemble singing and talent development. As a professional chamber choir, we feel co-responsible for developing talent in the choral field. Therefore, we are committed to cultivating, supporting and developing top talent, both among young singers and aspiring choral conductors.

We actively participate in initiatives that foster their growth and want to inspire them to shape the choral music of the future. It is therefore not surprising that Cappella Amsterdam was already involved in the first edition of Meesters&Gezellen in 2011 and has since composed a production for this innovative project many times, with great pleasure and passion.

Learning through singing together

For many conservatory students, the focus is on solo singing, while ensemble work is an entirely different art. Meesters&Gezellen offers an intensive learning experience in which young singers not only refine their technique, but also discover how to form one sound as a group. This is done not through traditional lessons, but by singing together with experienced professionals – the Masters – and thus, through practical experience, learning. In a short time, participants study a challenging concert program. The repertoire varies from edition to edition, but is always musically adventurous. The performances that follow show an impressive interplay between talent and experience and invariably provide an extraordinary concert experience.

Meesters&Gezellen is therefore much more than just a learning project – it is a springboard to the professional world of choral singing. Many former Companions find a place in top ensembles after participating and continue their careers with new opportunities.

Edition 2025: Trisagion

For the 2025 edition Trisagion on the program, led by Cappella Amsterdam’s chief conductor Daniel Reuss. The program takes audiences on a musical journey through Orthodox choral music from Northern and Eastern Europe, featuring works by composers such as Schnittke, Pärt and Tchaikovsky. The music evokes an atmosphere of deep contemplation and stillness, as well as passion and intensity. From ancient traditions to modern compositions-each work carries its own story and emotion.

With Meesters&Gezellen Cappella Amsterdam is contributing to the future of choral music. We invite you to experience this special concert experience for yourself. This year’s concerts will take place in Dalfsen, Vlissingen, Noordwijk, Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Leiden and Utrecht. More information on concert dates and tickets can be found here.