Gemengd koor ''Asaf'', Kampen
More than 61 times played this month
The mixed choir, part of the thriving community life of the Reformed Church in Kampen, was founded on March 2, 1946.
In the first year, not only were there frequent meetings but also intensive study. On March 6, 1947, the first singing evening was held in the old church on Burgwal. Congregants were invited to attend, but to bring a cup of coffee if they wanted something to drink.
Membership fluctuated considerably.
In the early years, the association, even more so than now, had a clear unifying force within the church community. Even now, members strive to maintain a good and friendly atmosphere. However, this does not detract from the intensive study.
It is noteworthy that the association has had only three conductors in its fifty-year existence. From 1946 to 1959, Mr. A. Janse held the baton. Under his leadership, the choir grew
to 39 members in 1959. Mr. Janse was replaced by Mr. T.A. Vogel, who continued
to lead the choir musically until 1981. During this period, membership continued to grow steadily until 1989.
By the time the CD "50 Years of Asaf" was released, the choir, under the direction of Henk Schilder, had grown to 89 members.
What's remarkable is that all the conductors, organists, and soloists of "Asaf" over its fifty-year existence have come from the church's own congregation. Perhaps the congregation's musical interest resulted in three relatively large choirs.
