KOORLINK Choir concert 2026-2027: Amaranthe under the direction of Johannes Dewilde. Veni, veni. A capella.

Young ladies' choir Amaranthe brings you an atmospheric a cappella choir concert in which old melodies are given new life. The program weaves medieval sounds, Gregorian influences, and traditional winter songs together into a contemporary musical experience. Central are refined arrangements, often by Michael McGlynn, that let centuries-old texts and melodies resonate in fresh harmonies and transparent choir sounds. Without instrumental accompaniment, an intimate listening space is created in which voices carry, reinforce, and make each other shine. Mysticism and stillness alternate with warm, bright moments of hope and light, fitting for the winter season and the start of the new year. The concert explores the timeless power of singing together: music that transcends the boundaries of time and place and takes listeners to a world of contemplation and wonder. Amaranthe brings with this program a musical journey that feels both historically rooted and contemporary, an invitation to welcome the new year from a place of rest and contemplation with an open mind. The title Veni, veni carries a timeless meaning. It connects the centuries-old expectation of Christmas and the birth of Jesus with the promise of news at the very beginning of the year. Amaranthe strives for an interesting concert calendar in which its own productions are alternated with concerts upon invitation by renowned domestic and foreign organizers. It wants to move its audience and constantly invests in quality, sophisticated and surprising programs that confirm the choir's identity. Passion, experience, quality, and uniqueness are central here. In doing so, it likes to be assisted by top international coaches like Panda Van Proosdij and Jolien De Gendt. Amaranthe was founded as a girls' choir in 2006 under the direction of Linde Devos. Since 2012, the choir has been under the direction of Johannes Dewilde. Meanwhile, the choir has grown into an established and highly respected value in choir and music life in Flanders. It has lent its cooperation to various projects, artists, and organizations such as Nekkanacht (opening act Kadril), Johan Verminnen (CD 'Stemmen'), Koorlink, Vlaams Radio Koor conducted by Eric Whitacre, and others. In recent years, Amaranthe has also been increasingly present on the international choir scene. It has achieved the following remarkable results at festivals and choir competitions, with prizes in virtually all continents. Amaranthe has achieved the following remarkable results at festivals and choir competitions: Winner of the Flanders Choir Festival, Kontich (2015) Promotion to honorary rank at the provincial choir tournament of East Flanders (2016) Category winner (ladies' choirs) and conductor's prize ('Conductor's Prize for outstanding achievement'), Musica Eterna Roma, Rome (2017) Winner in the category 'equal-voice choirs' (as the first Belgian choir ever) and best performance of the compulsory work, IKV Maasmechelen (2017) Winner of the CantaRode choir competition, audience award, conductor's prize, Kerkrade (2018) Winner of the category 'ladies' choirs' and 'Musica Sacra' at the Budapest International Choral Festival and Competition (2019) World Champion in the category Musica Contemporanea with 93% & World Champion in the category Vocal ensembles and chamber choirs of equal voices with 98.38% (World Choir Games 2021 – Belgium) World Champion in the category Female Chamber Choirs with 91% (World Choir Games 2023 – South Korea) World Champion in the category Chamber Choirs & Vocal Ensembles of Equal Voices with 94.88% & gold medal in the category Contemporary Music with 96.5% (World Choir Games 2026 – Sweden) Amaranthe is in first place in the Interkultur world ranking list of 'chamber choirs'. Johannes Dewilde is a passionate musician and teacher and a valued choir conductor in the Belgian choir world and beyond. He received his professional training at various conservatories in Flanders. As a teacher, he teaches at the GO! Arts Academy in Ghent, Stedelijk Conservatorium van Brugge, and Koninklijk Conservatorium van Gent, KASK. From 2013 to 2021 he was affiliated as a teacher with the Artevelde University of Applied Sciences. He also taught at the Conservatory of Antwerp and University of Easter Finland (Joensuu). As a conductor, in addition to his master's studies with Luc Anthonis and Geert Hendrix, he trained with various teachers at home and abroad, such as Jan Vuye, Aarne Saaluveer, Brady Allred, and Bob Chilcott. He has been a guest conductor, choir coach, and jury member in Sweden, Hungary, Italy, Finland, Spain, South Korea, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. He is currently the permanent conductor of the internationally awarded choirs Amaranthe, the vocal ensemble Saevus, and BYAC, Brussels Young Adults Choir. He is a guest conductor of Ghent Singers. He was invited to work with Vlaams Radiokoor. Both at the Musica Eterna Rome festival and in CantaRode, Kerkrade, Johannes received the conductor's prize.