Furiosa Women’s Choir
Choir presentation
Furiosa is one of the five choirs of Arte Musicale vzw, an organization led by Steve De Veirman. The idea of a young women’s choir emerged in 2009 when the older girls from the Furiakanti children’s choir wished to continue their development and achieve new milestones. They therefore separated from the children (under 16) and became the women’s choir Furiosa. Ten years later, 30 women form this close-knit group, both on and off stage.
This ambitious choir focuses on a unique repertoire of equal-voice (SSAA) choral works from the most recent choral literature. Composers such as Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, Eva Ugalde, and others hold no secrets for these young women. Thanks to their unique sound, they are frequently requested for concert programs, weddings, and studio recordings.
Furiosa also takes on other challenges! In 2017, the choir participated for the last possible time in the Provincial Choral Tournament, where they achieved a higher rank and were promoted to an “excellent” choir (or “uitmuntend” in Dutch). After participating in several national choral competitions such as the Flanders Festival in Kontich (2017, Grand Distinction) and the Tenso DAYS in Mechelen (2017, 2nd place, honorable mention from the jury), we felt it was time to enter an international competition. With a respectable 6th place and much inspiration for the next (inter)national competition, Furiosa proudly returned home.
For the 2017 Christmas concert, Furiosa performed Kim André Arnesen’s breathtaking Magnificat. In 2018, this concert sold out no less than four times. After such a memorable year, we organized a concert titled “Silence” for our own audience in Ghent and participated for the second time in the Flanders Festival in Kontich, where Furiosa was awarded first prize. In October 2019, the choir also participated in the International Choral Competition Flanders in Genk (IKV).
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Steve De Veirman
Belgian choir conductor Steve De Veirman began his musical studies in 1982 at the Muziekacademie Emiel Hullebroeck in Gentbrugge. He then pursued higher musical education at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven. He combined instrumental training in piano, cello, baroque flute, and singing with theoretical and pedagogical skills. To become proficient in choir conducting, he took lessons with Florian Heyerick, Rudy Tas, Johan Van Bouwelen, and Erik Van Nevel. He later specialized under conductor and composer Kurt Bikkembergs. His experience in choir and singing was also enriched by performing with projects from various professional choirs and ensembles such as Ex Tempore, Collegium Brugense, Capella di Voce, Goeyvaerts Con sort, Musa Horti, and Psallentes.
Steve De Veirman conducted the children’s choir Papageno and the St. Camilluskoor, and spent three years at the musical helm of the Arenberg Kamerorkest in Leuven and the Gentse Schola Cantorum in Ghent. He also conducted the Volwassenenkoor Vokamando for five years. Since September 2011, he has also been the conductor of the renowned Cantabile-Gent choir, which he led until its final note in April 2017. Today, he still conducts the Jeugdorkest Forza Muzica, the Kamerkoor Furiant, the Jongerenkoor Furiakanti, the Dameskoor Furiosa, and the Jeugdkoor Furiale.
Furiosa Women’s Choir
Choir presentation
Furiosa is one of the five choirs of Arte Musicale vzw, an organization led by Steve De Veirman. The idea of a young women’s choir emerged in 2009 when the older girls from the Furiakanti children’s choir wished to continue their development and achieve new milestones. They therefore separated from the children (under 16) and became the women’s choir Furiosa. Ten years later, 30 women form this close-knit group, both on and off stage.
This ambitious choir focuses on a unique repertoire of equal-voice (SSAA) choral works from the most recent choral literature. Composers such as Dan Forrest, Ola Gjeilo, Eva Ugalde, and others hold no secrets for these young women. Thanks to their unique sound, they are frequently requested for concert programs, weddings, and studio recordings.
Furiosa also takes on other challenges! In 2017, the choir participated for the last possible time in the Provincial Choral Tournament, where they achieved a higher rank and were promoted to an “excellent” choir (or “uitmuntend” in Dutch). After participating in several national choral competitions such as the Flanders Festival in Kontich (2017, Grand Distinction) and the Tenso DAYS in Mechelen (2017, 2nd place, honorable mention from the jury), we felt it was time to enter an international competition. With a respectable 6th place and much inspiration for the next (inter)national competition, Furiosa proudly returned home.
For the 2017 Christmas concert, Furiosa performed Kim André Arnesen’s breathtaking Magnificat. In 2018, this concert sold out no less than four times. After such a memorable year, we organized a concert titled “Silence” for our own audience in Ghent and participated for the second time in the Flanders Festival in Kontich, where Furiosa was awarded first prize. In October 2019, the choir also participated in the International Choral Competition Flanders in Genk (IKV).
THE CHOIR DIRECTOR: Steve De Veirman
Belgian choir conductor Steve De Veirman began his musical studies in 1982 at the Muziekacademie Emiel Hullebroeck in Gentbrugge. He then pursued higher musical education at the Lemmensinstituut in Leuven. He combined instrumental training in piano, cello, baroque flute, and singing with theoretical and pedagogical skills. To become proficient in choir conducting, he took lessons with Florian Heyerick, Rudy Tas, Johan Van Bouwelen, and Erik Van Nevel. He later specialized under conductor and composer Kurt Bikkembergs. His experience in choir and singing was also enriched by performing with projects from various professional choirs and ensembles such as Ex Tempore, Collegium Brugense, Capella di Voce, Goeyvaerts Con sort, Musa Horti, and Psallentes.
Steve De Veirman conducted the children’s choir Papageno and the St. Camilluskoor, and spent three years at the musical helm of the Arenberg Kamerorkest in Leuven and the Gentse Schola Cantorum in Ghent. He also conducted the Volwassenenkoor Vokamando for five years. Since September 2011, he has also been the conductor of the renowned Cantabile-Gent choir, which he led until its final note in April 2017. Today, he still conducts the Jeugdorkest Forza Muzica, the Kamerkoor Furiant, the Jongerenkoor Furiakanti, the Dameskoor Furiosa, and the Jeugdkoor Furiale.