• Employee
  • 28/08/2024

New CantaTU conductor is a familiar face

TU/e alumnus Daan den Hartog, who graduated at Mechanical Engineering in December, is the new maestro of staff choir CantaTU. “It’s a fun group of people and I look forward to drawing a little more attention to the choir.” He will compile the repertoire in consultation with the choir members.

by
photo Norbine Schalij

For as long as Den Hartog has been affiliated to TU/e – in 2016 he started out as a first-year student – he’s been active as an amateur singer at student choir Vokollage, and he still is. He has subbed there as a conductor on several occasions as well, and he’s also held the baton for staff choir CantaTU before. “The moment I heard their regular conductor Maria Loohuis was retiring, I volunteered to succeed her.” And it has been decided this honor will fall to him this academic year.

The mechanical engineer took conducting classes at the Tilburg conservatory. He thinks the role of conductor is an interesting one. “I have to apply hierarchical leadership; if a music group starts debating internally, it will turn into chaos. So I will announce my choices in a top-down fashion, but I do want to be nice about it. It’s important the group is having a good time. In that sense, I subordinate myself to the wishes of the choir.”

Romanticism

When it comes to repertoire, Den Hartog has a few wishes of his own, but he will consult with the choirs to see whether they agree. “I would like to rehearse a grand piece. This means a piece of music of thirty to forty minutes, preferably with instrumental accompaniment. I’m thinking piano or a small ensemble. I would also like to introduce romantic German music. But I’ll first talk to CantaTU about this.”

CantaTU rehearsing in Pulsar. Photo | Norbine Schalij

The conductor emphasizes new members are welcome. There’s a need for sopranos and altos, but everyone is more than welcome. “Anyone who enjoys singing at work – in one’s own time – can join. We don’t have auditions, just come to the Pulsar room in Luna at lunch time on Monday to sing with us.”

Doppio

Den Hartog also has something to offer to student singers. “I’m contributing to the student theater association Doppio’s new musical Urinetown. The scenario we bought requires a large project choir. “We’ll be singing in Dutch, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a Dutch-speaking student. For instance, I myself sing in Russian without speaking the language.”

If you would like to sing with CantaTU, please send an email to the secretary via P.J.E.M.Coenen@tue.nl. As CantaTU falls under the TU/e staff association Colleagues United, membership of the latter is a prerequisite to joining the choir.

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