Klaas Stok is the principal conductor of the NDR Vokalensemble (North German Radio Vocal Ensemble) since the concert season 2018/19. His work is characterized by its stylistic diversity while his repertoire extends from the Renaissance period to contemporary music.

The conductor and organist, who was born in the Netherlands, performs with numerous high ranking choirs and ensembles. In 2015 he took the artistic responsibility for the Netherlands-based radio choir Groot Omroepkoor, and since many years has been working intensively with the Netherlands Chamber Choir. He has accomplished highly valued concert programmes and recordings with both ensembles.

Klaas Stok has dedicated himself to the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. »Bach«, he says, »is for me the alpha and the omega in music«. For this reason he chose Bach’s B Minor Mass for his opening concert of his first season with the NDR Vokalensemble, a highly acclaimed performance which took place in the Elbphilharmonie. With his choirs he continues to devote himself to the work of Johann Sebastian Bach while at the same time experimenting with the performing traditions of early music. For this reason, he conducted a stage production of the St. John Passion with the Nederlandse Reisopera. And his performances of the St. Matthew Passion in the Bergkerk Deventer were highly acclaimed, also due to the unusual, cross-shaped structuring of the choirs and orchestras.

In addition to his activities as choirmaster for his own choirs, Klaas Stok has conducted ensembles such as the Collegium Vocale Gent, Brabant Koor, Musicatreize, Cappella Amsterdam and the Chamber Choir Ireland. He has recently made several appearances as a guest conductor with the choir of the SWR and of the BR and with the Vlaams Radio Koor.

He was born in Deventer and studied conducting, organ, harpsichord and improvisation at the conservatoires in Arnhem, Den Haag and Rotterdam. He won multiple awards for improvisation and interpretation as an organist at national and international competitions and furthermore, is the appointed organist of the famous Zutphen Stadtorgel (organ). Klaas Stok received the highly recognized award »Gulden Adelaar« given to him by his home city of Deventer.