Home

VAN GEMEREN FAMILY CHOIR GOES CANADA

Look for more information on the page "News".

40 years ago, a group of people decided to form a choir in order to bring their mutual aunt and uncle a musical salutation at the golden wedding party. It was December 1967. At the time, no one would have believed that this was the start of a choir that would be going strong for decades and decades, even reaching the Dutch Edition of the Guinness Book of Records in 1983 as the world's largest family choir in existence - a record never broken since.
 
During these thirty-one years, the Choir has built up an impressive track record, recording many LP and CD albums, appearing on national and international television for numerous performances, recording two TV specials, and last but not least giving a great many concerts throughout Europe.

Even while you're reading this, the Choir is developing new activities. The Choir is a true Family Choir, existing solely of brothers, sisters, cousins, uncles and aunts. But unique as its composition may be, the Choir's most characteristic feature is its sound, which distinguishes it from any other choir. From day one, the Choir's adagium has always been: making uncomplicated music straight from the heart. The varied selection of songs, the Choir's orchestra, as well as contributions by smaller groups of singers, solo performances and instrumentals, all add to the special atmosphere which transforms a concert by the Van Gemerens Family Choir into a truly memorable event.

The Choir now consists of 60 singers, and the orchestra has a full complement of 9 musicians. Every other week, the Choir's members drive in from all parts of the Netherlands to Rotterdam to attend the rehearsals. The rehearsals are as much a commitment as a pleasure, at the same time a bi-weekly family reunion and the basis for the Choir's considerable musical qualities, inspired by the successes achieved.

Liesbeth Blankespoor, the Choir's main soloist, has already won many people's hearts with her warm voice. She has a prominent role, both during concerts and on CD.

The Choir's orchestra, except for the string quartet, also consists of family members. Two of them own a recording studio, where much of the Choir's orchestration is done.

Ever since the Choir's foundation, Gerard Strootman has been its talented and charismatic director. He now devotes almost all of his time to the Choir, his efforts both benefitting the Choir's musical qualities and leading to many contacts and activities.