Mädchenkantorei Basel, Switzerland
Since its founding in 1991, the Mädchenkantorei Basel (MKB) has made a name for itself as an outstanding choir school and concert choir for young female singers. Its members range in age from four-year-old girls to young adults and are split into six separate levels so that the coaching they receive from artistic director Marina Niedel accords with their developmental stage and experience. Promoting the girls’ enjoyment of singing, introducing them to a demanding choral repertoire, deepening their knowledge of music, and encouraging talent and expressiveness through conscientious vocal coaching are all central to the choir’s philosophy. The MKB, whose 130 members come from all over north-western Switzerland as well as neighbouring France and Germany, is based in the Musik- und Kulturzentrum Don Bosco in Basel. Its collaboration with partners of renown such as the Sinfonieorchester Basel, the Basel Sinfonietta, the Kammerorchester Basel and Theater Basel has had the twofold benefit of enabling these ambitious young singers to stretch their musical potential while at the same time showcasing their accomplishments to a wide audience.