Marjolein Stots
Marjolein Stots (MM '10) is a singer, co-founder, and general director of Wishful Singing, an ensemble of five passionate professional singers known for their innovative interdisciplinary performances and projects, often within the social domain.
After completing her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Studies at the Royal Conservatoire The Hague, where she studied with Gerda van Zelm, Marjolein pursued a Master’s in New Audiences and Innovative Practices. Reflecting on her education, she says: "During my master's programme, I was able to further develop myself as a musical bridge builder. The experiences I gained during the lessons in The Hague and my project in South Africa were incredibly valuable."
Wishful Singing is committed to a world in which music and singing enrich and enhance people’s lives and well-being. Their repertoire is diverse, ranging from early music, folk, and close harmony to Gregorian chant and works composed specifically for five female voices. The ensemble stands out through collaborations with renowned artists, philosophers, and top musicians who are highly regarded by the public, such as Herman Finkers, Fokke Obbema, Stine Jensen, the Netherlands Wind Ensemble, and Lavinia Meijer. Leading composers, including Kate Moore, Joey Roukens, and Steven Kamperman, have written music for the ensemble.
Wishful Singing, together with Herman Finkers, has created a new buzz around Gregorian chant. In 2020, more than 6,000 participants followed one of the online Gregorian chant courses developed by the ensemble in collaboration with Finkers. Under its own label, the ensemble released the album In Mysterium.
Additionally, Marjolein and her colleagues have initiated various long-term educational and social projects. One particularly notable project is Zing je sterk, an online singing therapy programme launched in 2021 for long COVID patients, which has since expanded to include people with COPD, asthma, burnout symptoms, and those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment. Thousands of people have already participated. Zing je sterk was developed with the support of CWZ and Meander MC hospitals.