The National Children's Choir was founded in 1989, born out of the policy of the then SNK foundation (later Unisono / Kunstfactor) and staff member Silvère van Lieshout to stimulate children's choral singing in the Netherlands. The choir initially had the function of demonstration and example choir, a role that contributed to the growing appreciation of the field, the increase of children's choirs in the Netherlands and the spread of repertoire. The first concert took place in Workum, combined with a radio recording. The current national set-up with spread teaching locations across the country was introduced in 1991.

This was followed in 1996 by the establishment of the National Youth Choir as a follow-up to the National Children's Choir.

With the 1997-2000 Culture Note, the ministry decided to shift some of the support functions of national institutions to the field. This led the SNK to dispose of both choirs in 1998. On the initiative of Tom Doude van Troostwijk and Cees Riksman, among others, the choirs were transferred to a newly established foundation. In 1999 Silvère van Lieshout was succeeded by Wilma ten Wolde (from 2011 to 2024 also director-director of the Vocaal Talent Nederland | Nationale Koren Foundation).

In 2001, the organization's mission was redefined: identifying and bringing young vocal talent to fruition. At the same time, the name of the foundation changed to Vocaal Talent Nederland (VTN). This emphasized that the choirs are not an end in themselves, but a means of developing talent.

In 2006, VTN took over the Omroep Boys Choir from the Music Center of Broadcasting, which was forced to dispose of the choir due to budget cuts. The choir was renamed National Boys' Choir and focused on promoting boys' singing in the Netherlands.

Training opportunities were further expanded in 2011 with the establishment of the National Mixed Youth Choir (for sopranos, altos, tenors and basses). The existing National Youth Choir was renamed the National Women's Youth Choir.

Under the direction of Irene Verburg, who has been conductor of the National Boys' Choir since 2015 and had previously been involved as vocal coach for many years, soloist classes were introduced. In January 2021, she joined the artistic directorship alongside Wilma ten Wolde. After Wilma transfers artistic duties in 2023, Irene will form the artistic direction of the Nationale Koren together with László Nemes.

The administrative leadership of the organization as of also 2025 lies with Irene Verburg. 

Since the 2001 cultural policy period, VTN has received multi-year subsidies from the Ministry of OCW. From 2009 through the Cultural Participation Fund and from 2025 through the Performing Arts Fund (Talent Development).

Other musicians who have been involved over the years as regular conductors of one of the Nationale Koren:

Peter Dijkstra (National Children's Choir)

Annemieke van der Ven (National Children's Choir Junior)

Suzanne Verburg (National Boys Choir)

Georgi Sztojanov (National Boys' Choir)

David Wilson Johnson (National Mixed Youth Choir)

Louis Buskens (National Mixed Youth Choir)

'Identifying and bringing young vocal talent to fruition'