Addie de Jong
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Addie de Jong was born on July 16, 1941. After taking organ and piano lessons from Jan J. van den Berg (organist of the Nieuwe Kerk in Delft) and Leen 't Hart, he continued his education at the Rotterdam Conservatory. Here, he studied organ with Piet van den Kerkhoff, Arie J. Keijzer, and George Stam, and piano with Jacques de Monchy.
In 1966, he graduated with distinction for both instruments. He also received the conservatory's exchange prize for organ. He took advantage of the opportunity to further his studies for the 'Prix d'Excellence' for organ, which he was awarded in 1968. In Delft, he became acquainted with the carillon through city carillonist Leen 't Hart. He studied at the Dutch Carillon School in Amersfoort with 't Hart, where he also graduated in 1966, again with distinction. As a participant in competitions, he won numerous prizes, particularly for improvisation.
As a carillon player, he worked in Rotterdam, Voorschoten, Schiedam, and Vlaardingen. According to his instructions, the carillons in Voorschoten and Rotterdam (Laurenstoren and Stadhuistoren) were renovated.
In 1967, Addie de Jong was appointed as cantor-organist of the Goede Herderkerk in Rotterdam-Schiebroek, where he fulfilled this extensive role with great dedication until his passing. Weekly, he arranged or composed music for the three choirs present there, which also performed annually in concerts.
Addie de Jong first performed as a concert organist in 1955, and many performances followed. Over the years, he gave numerous organ concerts both domestically and internationally, as well as carillon and choir concerts.
Addie de Jong passed away in the prime of his musical life (on April 3, 1997), during which the inscription on one of 'his' carillon keyboards applied to him as well: 'Musica Laetitiae come medicina dolorum' (Music is the companion of joy and the medicine of sorrows).
