Verhulst was among the first students at the royal academy of music at The Hague. He studied with Lubeck, Lechleitner, Klein in Cologne, and became a friend of Schumann when he traveled to Leipzig in 1838. Through Lubeck he also met Mendelssohn in 1836. During his public life Verhulst was able to conduct the Euterpe orchestra, the royal choir in Rotterdam, the Rotterdam Musical Festival of 1854, the Diligentia concerts in The Hague and the Fetis Meritis orchestra of Amsterdam among other engagements. Genres in which Verhulst composed included orchestral and vocal writings. His most noted works include "Clemens est Dominus," a hymn for two choirs and a Kyrie contained in his opus 20 mass. The influences of Mendelssohn and Schumann ring clear in all of his works but chromatic explorations distinguish his works. In total Verhulst composed seven volumes of vocal works including songs for children. Other compositions include his Symphony in E-minor, concert overtures, string quartets and piano pieces. ~ Keith Johnson, Rovi