Festival Choir Flanders × Choral Space
Golden Hall Musikverein Vienna

Join Franz Schubert’s last great mass, the Mass in E flat D 950.

Festival Choir Flanders is thrilled to invite you to their second big project: Franz Schubert’s last great mass: the Mass in E flat D950.

Join the Festival Chorus of Choral Space for a spectacular performance of Franz Schubert’s last great Mass at the iconic Golden Hall of the Muzikverein in Vienna! Under the musical direction of the renowned conductor Heinz Ferlesch, the artistic director of the Wiener Singakademie.

This project is a great opportunity to showcase your talent on one of the world's leading music stages and to meet and collaborate with singers from all over the world. Spend four days (November 13 - 16, 2025) in the vibrant city of Vienna, singing and making music with fellow musicians and performers.

We are looking forward to the opportunity of having you with us on this musical journey.

About Festival Choir Flanders.

The Festival Choir Flanders is a sparkling new choir that wants to distinguish itself through its project-based approach and participation in various festivals and events, both national and international. This dynamic ensemble, under the inspiring leadership of renowned conductor Joris Derder, brings a unique mix of experience, passion and international allure to the stage.

With a repertoire that varies from classical masterpieces to contemporary compositions, the Festival Choir Flanders knows how to appeal to a wide audience. The flexible composition of the choir makes it possible to participate in various musical projects on a project basis, making it perfect for collaborations with other ensembles, orchestras and artists, also on international stages.

Joris Derder, a conductor with an impressive track record and international experience, not only provides the choir with artistic direction but also knows how to create an inspiring atmosphere in which the singers can develop their individual talents. His passion for music and his ability to get the best out of the choir members are the driving force behind the Festival Choir Flanders. With a fresh approach to choral singing and a boundless commitment to artistic excellence, this choir promises to be a standout in the world of choral music.

Festival Choir Flanders started ambitiously in 2024! The first project of the Festival Choir Flanders was Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem in the iconic large concert hall of the Philharmonie Berlin. All this under the musical direction of maestro Sergi Gili Solé and in collaboration with Staatsorchester Rheinische Philharmonie and two magnificent choirs: Gürzenich Chor Köln and Konzertchor Friedenau (Berlin).

Festival Choir Flanders × Choral Space
Golden Hall Musikverein Vienna

How to participate?

Program

Rheinberger – Abendlied
Piece for the showcase on the concert day in Musikverein!

Franz Schubert – Mass in E flat D950
A work full of dramatic and confessional expression. The mass was written in June and July a few months before Schubert’s death. The premiere took place on October 4, 1829 in the Pfarrkirche „Heilige Dreifaltigkeit“ in Wien-Alsergrund.

Please bring your own score!

Costs

The participation fee for the festival for all registrations received until January 15, 2025 is € 190. The participation fee for the registrations received from January 16, 2025 is € 210.

This contains: two rehearsal days in Belgium with Joris Derder, rehearsals in Vienna + the concert in Golden Hall Musikverein Vienna + entrance to the extra concerts during this festival. Travel & hotel, Airbnb, etc.: please book this yourself, or contact the organisation.

Practical

Conductor
Joris Derder, www.jorisderder.com

Purpose
Max. 50 singers (S10+, A10+, T10+, B10+)

Rehearsal location
Academie voor Muziek en Woord Sint-Agatha-Berchem

Questions

If you have any questions: please send a mail to Choral Space or directly to festivalchoirflanders@gmail.com.

Planning

Rehearsals in Belgium 🇧🇪

November 2, 2025

🗓️ 10:30 - 17:00
📍 Academie Sint-Agatha-Berchem
♫ Choir and Piano Rehearsal

With Festival Choir Flanders
Conductor: Joris Derder

November 9, 2025

🗓️ 10:30 - 17:00
📍 Academie Sint-Agatha-Berchem

♫ Choir and Piano Rehearsal
With Festival Choir Flanders
Conductor: Joris Derder

Final Rehearsals in Vienna 🇦🇹

November 13, 2025

🗓️ 10:00 - 13:00
📍 Musikverein Wien
♫ Choir and Piano Rehearsal 1

🗓️ 14:30 - 17:30
📍 Musikverein Wien
♫ Choir and Piano Rehearsal 2

🗓️ 20:00
♫ Welcome Concert

Choirs and Ensembles involved in
the project will present solo showcases.

November 14, 2025

🗓️ 14:30 - 17:30
📍 Musikverein Wien
♫ Dress Rehearsal

🗓️ 20:00
📍 St. Elisabeth Kirche
♫ Concert “Night of Choirs”

Choirs and Ensembles involved in
the project will present solo showcases.

November 15, 2025

🗓️ 14:30
📍 Musikverein Wien
♫ Warm-up and Acoustic Check

🗓️ 15:30 - 17:30
📍 Musikverein Wien
♫ Concert

Solo showcase of Festival Choir Flanders! — Intermission — Franz Schubert Mass in E flat major.

🗓️ From 18:30
📍 In various restaurants in Vienna
🍴 Get Together

November 16, 2025 (Optional!)

🗓️ 11:30
📍 Votivkirche
♫ Singing in Churches

Selected ensembles will sing in the Sunday Mass. Festival Choir Flanders will not sing in the Sunday Mass.