An extraordinarily successful ‘Scratch-light’ took place on 21 June 2025 in the Johanneskerk in Eindhoven, organised by the Eindhoven Oratorium Society. Members of the Eindhoven Oratorium Society and guests, some 120 singers in total, rehearsed G.F. Handel's Messiah all day long under the inspiring leadership of conductor Geert Broeksteeg. Moreover, the guest singers had been able to attend a monthly public rehearsal evening of the Messiah since January. The day ended with a matinee concert consisting of a performance of almost all the choruses, accompanied by pianist Rob van Heck. An event to look back on with pleasure, which tastes like more in the future.
Slides shown during the performance
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Geert Broeksteeg Musical direction |
Geert Broeksteeg is the conductor and artistic director of the Eindhoven Oratorio Association. He has been associated with this association as a conductor since 1990. Under his leadership, the choir has built up a broad repertoire. This has led to a large number of concerts in which works such as the St. John Passion, Messiah, Die Schöpfung, Paulus and various requiems were performed. But composers such as John Rutter, Poulenc and Benjamin Britten were also on the programme. Geert studied school music and choir conducting at the Arnhem Conservatory from 1980 to 1988. As a choir conductor, he studied with Joop Schets and Hans van den Hombergh. After obtaining his diploma Performing Musician Choir Conducting in 1988, he gained a lot of experience with various choirs and ensembles. As a school musician, he has been working at the Sint-Joriscollege in Eindhoven since 1985. At this school, he is co-founder of the Art and Culture Project. This is a project in which talented children in the field of music, dance, drama and visual arts are given extra opportunities to develop their talents. Since 2009, he has been working in the school management as team leader of the upper grades of havo. |
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Rob van Heck Pianist |
Rob van Heck studied at the Maastricht Academy of Music with Frederic Meinders. Here he earned his teaching diploma with distinction. He went on to earn a performing musician's diploma and a chamber music endorsement. His solo performances have included piano concertos by Chopin, Beethoven, Gershwin and Mendelssohn. Rob van Heck is mainly active in chamber music. Besides the Maza trio, he plays in various ensembles and duos, including with his wife violinist Ruth Walpot. With Swedish violinist Jan Stigmer, he has made several foreign tours to Sweden, England, China and South America in recent years. Rob is also pianist of the trio Mythic with Music. Furthermore, Rob van Heck is associated as pianist with a number of choirs including the Eindhoven Oratorio Society and the Roostenzangers. |
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Geert Broeksteeg Muzikale leiding |
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Rob van Heck Pianist |
