Philips’ Philharmonic Choir
The Philips Philharmonic Choir was founded in 1937 by Philips employees. The members, including many expats, now come from the larger Brainport region. Together they represent eight nationalities and share a passion for singing classical music.
Read more about the choir and its singers: flyer – v2022 – UK
The choir’s motto: practice with dedication, perform music at a high level, and enjoy the pleasure in doing so.
The Philips Choir provides 3 to 5 concerts or concert series every year, both on its own initiative and at the invitation of orchestras. The choir focuses on larger choral works with orchestra. It has been performing Bach’s St. Matthew Passion every year since 1948, a tradition of more than 75 years! The Philips Choir regularly performs in the country’s major concert halls, including Muziekgebouw Eindhoven, the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, TivoliVredenburg in Utrecht and De Vereeniging in Nijmegen. An overview of all concerts can be found here.
Conductor and accompanist
Conductor is Iassen Raykov, native from Bulgary. The choir’s accompanist is Mark van Platen (musician/composer, winner of the Gouden Kalf 2004).
Rehearsals
Rehearsals are every Tuesday at this location, from 19.45 until 22.15 hrs. Each rehearsal starts with voice exercises and includes a break from 21.00 to 21.15 hrs. where drinks are available. The bar is open after rehearsal for drinks and socialising. Three to four times a year the choir organizes workshops on a special topic or a masterclass. This normally takes place on a Saturday.
Joining the Choir
Are you also interested in singing with us? Would you like to attend a rehearsal to try out without obligation? That’s possible. You can register with the membership secretariat via our contact page. You can also go there for questions about projects.
If you are interested in becoming a member after a few trial rehearsals, you will audition with our conductor. You repeat some fragments and sing a song that you have prepared at home. We do this to ensure that people (potentially) have sufficient voice quality and musicality.
Furthermore, we are used to rehearsing our parts at home, so count on investing in this preparation time. We have an archive with MIDI/MuseScore and MP3 files or web links to make home study easy.
The contribution is €280 per year. Students receive a 50% discount.
You are very welcome!
Contact
You are most welcome to meet us in person and attend a rehearsal, please contact the members secretary Els Spreij through our contact form.