Kurt Thomas CursusThe course
School
Utrechts Conservatorium
Type
Course

Kurt Thomas Course 2023, for conductors and choristers!

Are you a professional or amateur conductor and would you like to further your development? Or a musician who wants to explore the conducting craft? Or perhaps you are a chorister and curious about choir conducting? If so, the Kurt Thomas Course may well be for you. This short but intensive course is open to professionals and amateurs at various levels and across a range of musical genres. The course runs from 10 through 15 July 2023 at Utrechts Conservatorium, organised in cooperation with Dirigentenwerkplaats Utrecht.

View the complete course offer

For whom?

You may be a professional or amateur conductor, or a choir singer who wants to explore conducting or focus intensively on singing for a week. You can select the level that suits you, choose the repertoire and the teacher of your preference and choose the workshops that interest and attract you. You are free to decide how long and how intensely you will participate. You can subscribe for the whole week, for separate modules or for a single day; as an active participant, hospitant or chorister. To put it succinctly, you can assemble your very own Kurt Thomas Course!

How and what will you learn?

Under the guidance of an enthusiastic team of experienced and knowledgeable teachers, you can immerse yourself in multiple ways in the various aspects of conducting and choir singing. You gain new ideas and insights and get practical tips and tools about practice techniques, baton techniques and choral formation. The course consists of various modules that each have their own theme, which means you can focus on a different activity every time. Meanwhile, you also expand your network.

Workshop: each day starts with a workshop for all participants, each with a different subject, such as new repertoire, group dynamics, rhythm, etcetera. You start the day with singing, exercises, conducting and listening.
Reveille: during the daily reveille, you practice conducting together with all the other participants, while warming up your voice with Gregorian singing.
Atelier: the atelier is at the core of the course; you take individual turns on the repertoire pieces and form a coir with your fellow participants and guest vocalists. Every day, there are three classes of 15 minutes, with one of the teachers of your atelier. You will also be trained by the teachers in singing and choir formation as well as conducting techniques.
Schola: in a Gregorian Schola, you unravel the secrets of single-voice music through singing.
Grand choir: all participants sing along in the Kurt Thomas Grand Choir. Here you are guided by the students of atelier 2, under the direction of the teachers of choir and orchestra repertoire.

Day schedule

Depending on the atelier you choose, a day of the Kurt Thomas Course looks as follows:

Ateliers 1, 2, 5 Ateliers 3, 4, 6, 7, 8
10.30-11.45 Workshop Workshop
10.30-11.45 Schola for choir singers Schola for choir singers
12.00-13.00 Reveille Reveille
13.00-13.30 Break Break
13.30-14.45 Schola Class 1
14.45-16.00 Class 1 Class 2
16.30-18.00 Kurt Thomas Grand Choir Kurt Thomas Grand Choir
18.00-19.00 Break Break
19.00-20.15 Class 2 Class 3
20.30-21.45 Class 3 Schola


The schedule on Saturday15 July is:
11.30-13.00 Evaluations (only for participating conductors of ateliers 3 t/m 8)
14.00-17.00 For all participants: general rehearsal (Nicolaïkerk)
19.00-22.00 For all participants: final concert (Nicolaïkerk)

Sheet music

The sheet music for all of the modules (ateliers, workshops, schola and the Kurt Thomas grand choir) is made available via a link upon registration (including for day tickets). This link leads to a downloadable PDF or to the publisher where you can order the documents yourself. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have the complete (and correct) sheet music during the course days.

Registration and deadline – 1 June 2023

The registration form lists all of the modules, ateliers, workshops, and schola. You can select the components that you want to take part in. Don't forget to check the times as some of the activities may overlap. Following registration, you will receive a confirmation email with information on how to pay and the link to the sheet music. Once we receive your payment, your registration is official.

Contact

Questions? Send an e-mail to ktc.muziek@hku.nl.

Kurt Thomas CursusTeachers
Kurt Thomas Cursus

Teachers

The teachers of the Kurt Thomas Course all have a strong practical background and offer tons of knowledge and experience. They are experts who are willing to teach you and openly discuss their profession and all related aspects.

Next to the regular teachers Louis Buskens, Rob Vermeulen, Adrián van der Spoel, Hans Noijens and Fokko Oldenhuis, several new teachers are joining this year. We are pleased to introduce them to you here:

Guest teacher Mathieu Romano (F) [MOU1] is a conductor in high demand, who realised multiple successful CD recordings with his own Aedes ensemble. Mathieu teaches in atelier 1 and 2.

Mathieu Vulto studied (among others) Innovative Choir Leading in Aalborg (Denmark) and is currently teaching at the Vocal Leadership and StendenHogeschool. His speciality is the subject of co-creative singing. Mathieu is teaching in atelier 7.

Lieke Geraats studied vocals in Zwolle, followed by Choir Conducting for Professional Musicians [MOU2] in Utrecht. She sang solo in various Telemann cantates, the Requiems by Duruflé and Mozart, and in ensembles such as Consensus Vocalis and Studium Chorale. Lieke also has her own ensemble: Eva. Lieke is teaching in all ateliers.

Akke Bosma studied at the prestigious Royal Academy of Music in Aalborg (Denmark) where she obtained a master’s degree in light music conducting. Akke is currently conducting Vocal Jazz & Pop groups in the north of the Netherlands, where she is also teaching other conductors. Akke is teaching in atelier 7.

Rachel Munneke studied the Music in Education course in Groningen and Choir Conducting at Utrechts Conservatorium. She is currently working for multiple ensembles, choirs and orchestras in and near Zwolle, while also working as a music teacher at the cultural profile school Stad & Esch in Meppel.

Boudewijn Jansen is a conductor with a broad repertoire, focused on opera and oratorio. He works, among others, at the Dutch Traveling Opera and the Dutch Chamber Opera Foundation. He leads the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam and also conducted for the Dutch Chamber Orchestra, Dutch Concert Choir and VU Chamber Choir.

Kurt Thomas CursusThe Workshop Series
Kurt Thomas Cursus

The Workshop Series

The Ateliers: levels, repertoire and formation

The workshop series are offered at three different levels.
- Level I: For professional conductors, choral conducting students, and professional musicians with experience in conducting.
- Level II: For professional musicians without experience in conducting, trainee music teachers, and experienced amateur conductors.
- Level III: For novice amateur conductors.

Level I

Professional conductors, choral conducting students, and professional musicians with experience in conducting

  • Teachers: Mathieu Romano (F) and Rob Vermeulen
    Repertoire:

    • Francis Poulenc - uit Sept Chansons: deel 1, 2, 5 en 7
    • Felix Mendelssohn - Herr nun lässest du deiner Diener in Frieden fahren
    • Benjamin Britten - uit AMDG: deel 1 en 7
    • William Schuman - uit Carols of death: The ast Invocation en To All, to Each
    • Felix Mendelssohn - uit Sechs Sprüche op. 79 deel: Am Neujahrstage, Im Advent en Am Charfreitage
    • Carlos Chavez - uit Three Nocturnes: Sonnet to sleep

    Class hours: 14.45-22.00, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 695 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

  • Teachers: Louis Buskens and Mathieu Romano (F)
    Repertoire:

    • Mozart:

    Uit Requiem:
    - Introitus
    - Kyrie
    - Confutatis
    - Lacrimosa

    • Hendrik Andriessen: Due madrigali

    Class hours: 14.45-22.00, Saturday 14.00-22.00
    Costs: € 795 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

  • Teachers: Boudewijn Jansen and Rob Vermeulen
    Repertoire:

    • Blaženko Juračič - uit Stabat Mater, delen 1 tot 6 en 18 tot 20.
    • Carl Loewe - uit Das Sühnopfer des neuen Bundes, delen 12, 29, 30, 35, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 45, 46.. Schlusschor des ersten Teils
    • Georg F. Händel - uit Brockes Passion, delen: - Sinfonia, 1, 11, 12, 13, 29, 30, 31, 45, 46, 53, 54.
    • César Franck - Psalm 150

    Class hours: 13.30 - 20.15, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 695 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

    You can also participate in level 1 as hospitant. You will be actively joining in the ateliers, but won’t get any individual turns when working with the ensembles.

Level II

For professional musicians without experience in conducting, trainee music teachers, and experienced amateur conductor

  • Teachers: Louis Buskens and Boudewijn Jansen
    Repertoire:

    • Francesco Durante - Magnificat
    • Gabriël Fauré - Cantique de Jean Racine
    • César Franck - Panis Angelicus

    Class hours: 13.30-20.15, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 695 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

  • Teachers: Adrián van der Spoel, Dennis Broeders and Hans Noijens
    Repertoire:

    • James MacMillan - O radiant Dawn
    • Christopher Torr - Die donker
    • Philipp Glass - uit Three songs: There are some men
    • Heinrich Schütz - Aller Augen warten auf dich, Herre
    • Igor Stravinsky - Pater noster
    • Jakob Handl - Ave maria

    Class hours: 14.45-22.00, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 595 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

  • Teachers: Adrián van der Spoel, Dennis Broeders and Hans Noijens
    Repertoire:

    • James MacMillan - O radinant Dawn
    • Gisela Hernández Gonzalo - La mano imposible
    • Ned Rorem - Tears
    • Philip Glass - There are some men
    • Heinrich Schütz - Aller Augen warten auf dich, Herre
    • Orlando di Lasso - Saccio na cosa

    Class hours: 13.30-20.15; Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 595 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

  • Teachers: Mathieu Vulto and Akke Bosma
    Repertoire:

    • And so it goes - Billy Joel / arr. Bob Chilcott
    • In My Life - Lennon & MacCartney / arr. Darmon Meader
    • The Look of Love - Burt Bacharach / arr. Steve Zegree
    • Blue Skies - Irving Berlin / arr. Roger Emerson
    • I sing, you sing - Anders Edenroth
    Class hours: 13.30 -20.15, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 595 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

Level III

For novice amateur conductors. In the level III ateliers, we focus specifically in your technical conducting skills.

  • Teachers: Rachel Munneke and Hans Noijens
    Repertoire:

    • Lajos Bardos - Tábortüznel
    • Billy Joël - And so it goes
    • J.S. Bach - O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
    • Giovanni Gastoldi - Introduzioni a i baletti
    • Bob Chilcott - Where you there
    • Ola Gjeilo - The rose

    Class hours: 13.30-20.15, Saturday 11.30-22.00
    Costs: € 595 (includes participation in grand choir, reveille, workshops and schola)

    In the Ateliers 3 to 8, there are also classes in vocal development by Lieke Geraats and conducting techniques by Fokko Oldenhuis.

Please note:

• To give everyone a chance to present themselves individually during the workshops, the groups will consist of approximately 6-12 participating conductors. There may also be openings for interested choristers who are committed for the duration of the workshop series.
• When international participants attend a workshop or atelier, it will be conducted in English.

Kurt Thomas CursusWorkshops
Kurt Thomas Cursus

Workshops

The workshops will introduce you to a specific repertoire or subject(s) that are within the specific field of expertise of the teacher in question. As you sing and/or conduct, you will get to know new music, musical fields, or tools, find out more about a style or composer, and learn fascinating background information. After attending a workshop, you are sure to leave with a wealth of new ideas for your next rehearsal.

Dates: Monday 10 July t/m Friday 14 July
Class hours: daily from 10.30 to 11.45

Dates and times

  • Monday 10 July, 10.30-11.45: Vocal Painting directed by Mathieu Vulto
  • Tuesday 11 July, 10.30-11.45: Repertoire workshop directed by [to be announced]
  • Wednesday 12 July, 10.30-11.45: Rhythm workshop directed by [to be announced]
  • Thursday 13 July, 10.30-12.30: School choir directed by Matthijs Overmars
  • Friday 15 July, 10.30-12.30: Baroque music directed by Jos van Velthoven

Reveille

In the Reveille you warm up your voice, do conducting exercises and sing Gregorian music.
Teachers: various
Dates: Monday 10 July t/m Friday 14 July
Times: 12.00-13.00

Schola

For fans of Gregorian music there is the Schola, where you can take a week-long dive into the wonders of monophonic chant. We will be working on repertoire. There are three schola’s every day. The morning schola at 10:30 is dedicated to the participating choristers. The afternoon schola at 13:30 and evening schola at 20:30 is for the participating conductors. You can sign up for one of these scholas. The afternoon and evening have a maximum of 15 participants. When there are more subscribers, a selection will be made on the first day of the course, for which you will do a brief audition.

Teacher: Adrián van der Spoel
Dates: Monday 10 July t/m Saturday 15 July
Class times: 10.30-11.45 (morning schola), 13.30-14.45 (afternoon schola), 20.30-21.45 (evening schola), Saturday 14.00-22.00

Kurt Thomas CursusChoristers
Kurt Thomas Cursus

Especially for choristers

When participating as chorister, you will not just enjoy a whole week of singing, but also gain insights and understanding about the communication between conductor and vocalist. This in turn also enriches your own experience of choir singing.
You can participate in the Kurt Thomas Course in various ways:

  • In an atelier: throughout the week, you are part of the choir of the atelier of your choice. You can choose between ateliers 3 to 8.
  • In a stand-alone workshop. Each workshop is open to choristers, which offers much singing opportunities. Hours: every day from 10.30 to 11.45.
  • As part of the Kurt Thomas Grand Choir. Every afternoon you will be conducted by the course participants under the supervision of teachers Rob Vermeulen and Louis Buskens. The repertoire of atelier 2: parts from the Requiem van Mozart and the Due Madrigali by Andriessen. Time: every day from 16.30 to 18.00
  • In the Schola. Lovers of Gregorian chant will like the Schola, facilitated by Adrian van der Spoel, Every day from 10.30 to 11.45
    Price: € 50
  • Any combination of these various modules is possible. You pay a one-time price of € 95 for the whole week.

Overview of participation options and costs

You have many options for creating your own personal Kurt Thomas Course programme. Below you see a list of all the ways in which you can participate:

1. As actively participating conductor: register for atelier, schola and workshop of your choice. For the reveille and the grand choir, no separate registration is required.
The price is, depending on the chosen atelier, € 595, € 695 or € 795
2. As hospitant: register for atelier 1, 2 or 3, schola and a workshop of your choice. For the reveille and the grand choir, no separate registration is required. Price: € 150.
3. As chorister: register for one of the ateliers 3 to 8, for the grand choir and/or the morning schola. You can participate in one module, or combine multiple modules. This has no effect on the price, which is always: € 95. Additionally, participating in the workshops and reveille is free.
4. For one day: as conductor or chorister with a day ticket, you can participate in all modules of one day: the morning schola, a workshop, the reveille, an atelier and the grand choir. Price: € 70.

Costs

The participation fees have increased compared to 2022. In return, the course days are longer and the ateliers provide more hours than before. Furthermore, we cooperate with a professional orchestra this year. There has also been an inflation correction in the teacher’s fees.

Catering

In the K&W building, there are only vending machines for drinks and snacks. For lunch, there are lots of options outside and near the building. There is also a supermarket right across the door.