Festival composer Noah Senden
Musica Divina presents its very first festival composer: Noah Senden brings healing and ‘points of truth’
Between September 17 and October 4, 2026, the 14th edition of Musica Divina will descend upon the heart of the Kempen region. Under the festival motto ‘Moments of Truth’, the Festival of Flanders Kempen brings heavenly and healing music to the religious heritage sites of the Kempen. This year, the festival celebrates a first: the appointment of its very first festival composer, the young and promising Antwerp-based Noah Senden, who drew inspiration for the occasion at Averbode Abbey.
Musica Divina traditionally focuses on the healing power of music, reflection, and connection. With festival composer Noah Senden, the festival chooses a fresh, contemporary voice that combines deep spiritual layering with an accessible purity. Specially for the festival, he wrote a flexible core piece that transforms depending on the different performers throughout the festival.
Noah Senden studied composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Antwerp under the late Wim Henderickx, who left a profound human and musical impact on him. He was also taught by Bram Van Camp and Mathias Coppens. However, his artistic identity was definitively shaped during an Erasmus exchange in Estonia.
At the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre in Tallinn, he studied under Tõnu Kõrvits and met the legendary composer Arvo Pärt. Inspired by the overwhelming Baltic choral tradition and European spiritual minimalism, Senden developed a deep fascination with stillness, simplicity, and the power of the human voice.
For this unique festival commission, Senden sought out the ultimate spiritual silence. To fully immerse himself in the spirit of Musica Divina, he spent a week at Averbode Abbey. Sheltered by the abbey walls, he composed his new work, using the festival theme ‘Moments of Truth’ as his direct starting point.
The result will be performed live in various iterations by different ensembles during the festival including BRYGGEN Bruges Strings, ORLANDOviols and the Vlaams Radiokoor. In addition, there is a special scoop for festival-goers: Senden has transformed one of the versions of the composition into an immersive sound installation. This will be set up on Saturday, September 19, in the Limburgzaal of Averbode Abbey, allowing visitors to literally submerge themselves in the composition and the serene atmosphere of the abbey.
“I want to create a kind of musical core that always remains recognizable, but comes to life in a different way with each performance,†Senden explains. “The piece breathes and adapts to the specific space and the ensemble.â€
Noah Senden spoke with festival director Mathias Coppens; read the full interview here.
PRACTICAL INFO
September 22, 2026 (20:00): Creation Noah Senden by Liesbeth Devos & Gwen Cresens - Hoogstraten
September 26, 2026 (20:15): Creation Noah Senden by BRYGGEN Bruges Strings - Lier
September 29, 2026 (20:00): Creation Noah Senden door ClubMediéval & SPECTRA - Mol
September 30, 2026 (19:00 & 21:00): Creation Noah Senden by ORLANDOviols - Heist-op-den-Berg
October 3, 2026 (20:15): Creation Noah Senden by the Vlaams Radiokoor - Herentals