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The Dutch conductor, Barend Schuurman, studied theology, flute (with Frans Vester) and choral conducting in The Hague, Holland.
Soon after receiving his Masters in choral conducting, Barend Schuurman was appointed Cantor of the Grote of Sint-Laurenskerk in Rotterdam, 1966. He has been the conductor of the Laurenscantorij ever since. Until 2002 he was principal teacher of the Choral Conducting Department at the Rotterdam Conservatory. Among his pupils are well-known conductors (e.g. Daniel Reuss).
With the performance of practically all the major choral works of J.S. Bach, notably through the monthly Bach Cantata services with the Laurenscantorij, Barend Schuurman has made a special contribution to the Bach tradition in the Netherlands. He has conducted the greater part of the choral repertoire ranging from the 16th until the 20th century. For his contribution to cultural life in Rotterdam, both in church music and choir music in general, he received the Erasmus award of the City of Rotterdam. He received a knighthood in 2002.
Barend Schuurman was guest conductor of the Orchestre d'Auvergne (Clermont-Ferrand) and of the Collegium Vocale Gent at the Saintes festival. With the Laurenscantorij, he gave concerts in Leipzig, Dresden, Paris, Brussel, Antwerp and Clermont-Ferrand. |
