Chr. Gem. Zangvereniging ''Crescendo'', Tholen
More than 1.481 times played this month
1931-1991
B.C. Avg. Singing association "CRESCENDO"
On November 14, several people come together to establish a singing association with the aim of supporting congregational singing during worship. The following Sunday a call is made from the pulpit to visit the singing society. The first rehearsal evening will be held on November 20 in a classroom at the Ger school. Congregation on the Doelweg, where 37 female and 25 male members registered that evening.
Mr. Manteau from St. Annaland, who is also a conductor there, is appointed as
"director" (as the conductor was then called). The room may be used for a fee for "fire and light". The contribution is set at 7 cents per evening.
On December 18, 1931, the final board was elected, consisting of: Messrs. I. Lindhout (chairman), M. Baay (2nd chairman), J.L. Geluk (secretary), M. Lindhout
(treasurer), G. Jansen and T. Baay.The first performance, which is also assisted by the choirs from St. Annaland and 's-Gravenpolder, will be held on Easter Monday in the then church of the Ger. Community at the Kruittoren.
In 1933, Mr. Manteau dies and becomes Mr. De Korte "director". The 5th Annual Report reports major financial concerns. For the time being, the secretary/treasurer has paid the conductor out of his own pocket. In these crisis years, members regularly stay away from rehearsals because they cannot miss the dues. Due to the increasing tensions in the rehearsals, the choir will be inactive from the spring of '39 until October. In February 1940 the army closed the school and it could meet again. This time this lasts until March 1942 and when the association meets again in the church, Mr. thanks Mr. De Korte as conductor. In this position, Mr. C. Citizen appointed. Not until 1943, when for good
If the possibility of blackout has been provided, meetings will be held again in the school.
The first performance after the war took place on February 1, 1946 (a print of the program of this singing evening is included in this booklet).
In April 1947, the association joined the newly established Ring Zeeland and on June 7 participated in the first singing performance in this regional context. The National Association was founded on December 16, 1947.
Conductor Burger, who has been involved from the very beginning, is elected to the Main Board.
A little further in time: 1968.
A bus trip is organized to Belgium. Visits are made to Namur and Dinant and on the return journey, after a dinner in Antwerp, there is singing at the
evangelism post in Merksem.
In December 1969 the choir appeared in singing uniform for the first time.
In 1970, a record was recorded in the Netherlands with several other choirs for the Mission. Rev. Church in Oud-Beyerland with Frans van Tilburg at the organ.
At the board meeting of October 15, 1980, it was decided to celebrate the 50th anniversary in 1981 in a memorable way. To mark this occasion, an anniversary choir will be formed of former members over 50 years old and a recording of the current choir will be made.
The recording for the LP takes place on February 16 and 17, 1981 in the Ned. Rev. Church in Tholen led by Johan Melse with the help of Bram Beekman on the organ and Johan v.d. Jagt, flute.
The LP will be released on the anniversary evening of April 11. "I Will Remember...." presented for the first time. This evening will be dedicated to the past, present and future by the participating choirs (Jubilee choir of former members, the jubilee choir "Crescendo", youth choir "van Knop tot Bloem" and children's choir "Jubilate Deo"). During the singing evening on March 13, 1982, the proceeds from the record will be announced and symbolically handed over by the chairman to Rev. P. Blok, chairman of the Deputation for the Ultimate Mission.
Of course, there are many singing evenings between the dates mentioned with interesting facts and today; beautiful and less beautiful evenings. May it have been like this for 60 years: Singing to God's glory, humbly looking at Psalm 63:8: "For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings I will sing joyfully."
Only then is there room for sincere gratitude and a confident expectation of the future.
