Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade is a secular women’s choir with 18 enthusiastic members. Directed by Louise Deal the ensemble stives for perfection in vocal technique and choral sound. The ensemble sings an extensive repertoire ranging from religous to secular and from classical to popular music. Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade was founded in 1976 and Louise Deal has been its Musical Director since 2005. Whether singing music from the Renaissance or contemporary compositions, the ensemble stives to convey atmosphere and style of the music with an emphasis on textual interpretation, dynamics and musical expression.

Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade’s musical highlights include participation in the Dutch Choir Festival in 1996, winning the Limburg Choir Festival in 1997, celebrating the 900th anniversary of Rolduc Abbey, Kerkrade (Netherlands). In 2006 Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade won the national choral-competition. The first professional CD by Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade was recorded in 2010. The double-CD called VEKsclusief was presented in 2011 to celebrate a double anniversary: Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade’s 30-year existence and its 15th anniversary as a women’s choir. Also in 2011, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Dutch National Choir Organisation, Limburg province, Vocal Ensemble Kerkrade recorded the CD Kopstukken.