From the idea to the vocal ensemble
The history of our choir
CARMINA VIVA
The East-Belgian vocal ensemble CARMINA VIVA was founded in 1998 under the direction of Vera Saam-Genten. Then, during three years, Vera and Rainer Hilger shared the work as conductors. Since November 2012 Rainer Hilger has been solely responsible for the musical direction of the ensemble.
The intention of the trained conductor is to create a homogeneous vocal ensemble in order to give ambitious young singers the opportunity to interpret works as well varied as demanding.
Musical direction
In 2009, Rainer Hilger joined Vera Saam-Genten as conductor of CARMINA VIVA. These two driving forces both strongly identify with the ensemble’s aims and its musical ambitions. In November 2012, Vera Saam-Genten took the decision to entrust Rainer Hilger with the conducting of the choir and to play a different musical role within our vocal ensemble.
Rainer Hilger
The feeling of sound
Rainer Hilger studied at the Conservatoire royal de Liège where he graduated in accompanying piano, chamber music, written harmony, practical harmony, music history, music analysis and general psychopedagogy, and where he obtained the diplôme supérieur in piano.
Furthermore he attended conducting classes with Enrico Delomboye and Jan Stulen, and choir conducting courses with Ludo Claesen at the Conservatorium Maastricht (NL) where he obtained a Bachelor degree in orchestral conducting and a Master degree in choral conducting. Then he obtained a Master degree in orchestral conducting at the Lemmensintituut Leuven by visiting conducting lessons with Jan Van der Roost, Edmond Saveniers and Ivan Meylemans.
Additionally he attended Eric Ericson’s Masterclass in Haarlem (NL), a renowned master class that enabled him to work with the Nederlands Kamerkoor and the Groot Omroepkoor. He also participated in masterclasses by Johannes Prinz, Anders Eby, Kaspars Putnins, Grete Pedersen, Jos van Veldhoven, Simon Halsey, Hans Leenders and Daniel Reuss. For three years he co-conducted the Kerkraads Symfonie Orkest with Manon Meijs and from 2011 to 2016 he conducted the symphonic wind orchestra Cercle Musical Kelmis.
Rainer Hilger also conducts the East-Belgian wind band Fanfare Musica Nova and he regularly leads choir projects and workshops in East-Belgium and Luxembourg such as the Robert Schuman choir with young singers from four different countries.
Photos
Impressions of our concerts
Contact
We will be glad to meet you!
+32 485 83 45 74
