First rehearsal of ‘Tabula Rasa’, Rotterdam’s first classical students choir

Up until now, Rotterdam was the only university city in the Netherlands without a classical student choir. Mirjam IJsseldijk, choir director and music teacher, took the initiative to form a new student choir. Now, it’s time for the first rehearsal of ‘Tabula Rasa’.

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Unfamiliar songs, different vocal sections and nervous interactions with their fellow choir members. During the first rehearsal of Tabula Rasa, the 23 new members struggled and enjoyed the new project of Mirjam IJsseldijk. After seeing that students did not have the opportunity to sing classical music in a choir together, IJsseldijk took it upon herself to form a choir. “It’s a great opportunity to get to know the classical repertoire and to meet new friends”, she says. “It really fills a gap in Rotterdam. I am excited to join”, one of the choir members said.

During their first rehearsal, the choir practices classical music. Music by Canadian composer Don MacDonald, an Estonian folk song by Cyrillus Kreek and an American song on Shakespeare. The 23 present students and young professionals have varying musical backgrounds, ranging from first timers to members with years of experience in a choir.

The group embarks on a nine-week project on the topic of wind, which leaves enough time to prepare a small concert until the summer. After, the plan is to continue with weekly rehearsals and to prepare for multiple performances a year and considering collaborations with other musicians and orchestras.