History:
The choir, which has been under the enthusiastic leadership of the well-known conductor and organist Martin Zonnenberg since its inception, grew out of the then monthly Saturday afternoon ‘Kom zing met ons’ singing and organ hour in Sliedrecht in 1986, partly on his initiative. The choir was officially founded in 1989 under the name Christelijk Mannenkoor ‘Sliedrecht’. When it was founded, the choir had around 70 members. It has since grown into an association of about 175 members. In the early years, most of the members came from Sliedrecht, but now the area served is the entire Alblasserwaard and surrounding towns. It is partly because of this that the choir’s name, taken for granted in the past, was changed in 1997.
Activities:
The choir frequently contributes to radio and television recordings by the Evangelical Broadcasting Corporation. The choir can also be heard on numerous CDs, alone or in cooperation with other choirs.Naturally, it performs in many places in the region and beyond. About 10 performances a year is an average, with themes and repertoire varying from Christmas to Easter and from patriotic to spirituals.
Atmosphere:
The choir is interdenominational and characterised by a great drive to sing together. On rehearsal evenings, for instance, there is no break and the choir rehearses for 1.5 consecutive hours. There is a good bond and great togetherness, making it a close-knit association. New members are welcomed with open arms to share in the relaxation that singing together provides. A leisure activity that repeatedly gives you ‘goose bumps’ when you sing a song with more than 170 men. Tough, exuberant or tender, subdued, it’s an experience that doesn’t let you go.