Stichting Torenmuziek Moordrecht

As we know there has been an abrupt end to the legendary Dutch rockband Golden Earring because George Kooymans can not perform any longer because of the motor neuron disease ALS. A great and spectacular farewell concert was unfortunately no longer possible.

Instead of a farewell concert the loyal fanbase started an initiative to play Golden Earring songs throughout the Netherlands on several carillons, as well as ours. In Moordrecht we played the song “That Day”, a recording can be played below.

On the 25th of July 2020 Richard de Waardt played requests. Requests could be made at the jukebox on the Kerkplein.

Midori Conneman played on Saturday the 29th of August together with Boudewijn Zwart on keyboard.

The season was completed on Saturday the 12th of September with the Beiaard-PLUS concert by Wim Ruitenbeek (carillonneur); Rudolf Weges (trumpet); Boudewijn Zwart (piano)

In January 2019 we introduced ourselves to the town council with a short pitch.

We outlined the foundations’ activities with this powerpoint presentation.

In September the spire was re-opened on ‘open monumentendag’ by  councilor Jan Verbeek. Our announcement can be seen in the flyer which we distributed. The newspaper AD Groene Hart made a big announcement and Hart van Holland wrote a lovely report of the event. (See below, click to enlarge)

The series of concerts was concluded on the 26th of October by Boudewijn Zwart in collaboration with Gerard and Johanneke de Wit. (see the Poster of this concert)

The chrurch tower was dressed in scaffolding in 2018, afther the weather vane was blown of the tower in the January storm.

We hoped we could organise a festive re-opening in september that year, but more restoration was necessary so that took a year longer.

Because of this event there where only 3 concerts in 2018:

• 24th of June 2018: Chardy van Riel played as a guest carillioneur
• 7th of September 2018: Ensemble of Maarten on the carillon and KVT Harmony during the village fair
• 15th of September 2018: Boudewijn Zwart with Campana Concort in the village church

2017 was a busy year for the carillon with a series of concerts in various shapes. The carillon played together with keyboard, accompanied a singer, played together with Harmony ‘Kunst na den Arbeid’ and was part of the ensemble ‘Campana Consort’. Besides that many solo concerts took place. Read it all in the 2017 programme booklet.

The first concert in 2016 took place at July the 2nd, where Midori Conneman-Maeno and Maarten Siebel played together on the piano and the carillon. Later that year the Moordrecht’s Carillon Festival took place with guest musicians Gidion Bodden, Boudewijn Zwart and KVT Harmony ‘Kunst na den Arbeid’. Download the flyer here

The fifth Moordrecht’s Carillon Festival 2015 consists of 6 concerts: three by well-known Dutch carilloneurs (one concert in conjunction with a harpsichordist and a hoboist), three by local musicians of which one solo concert on ‘Monument Day’ (September 12).

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Photos copyrighted ED DIERSMANN

The official commisioning of the renewed carillon took place on Saturday the 3rd of September 2011 by Arjen Hazelebach, councilor of the municipality Zuidplas.

The commisioning was followed by a concert by Gouda’s carillioneur and advisor of the foundation, Boudewijn Zwart on the mobile carillon in ensemble with the British Saxophone Choir.

Photos copyright Target Press Moordrecht