Dutch Boy Choir Costumes

Figure 1.--The Breda Cathedral choir was founded as a church choir and music for religious services is still an important function.

Background

Many countries of Western and Central Europe have a long tradition of church boys' choirs dating back to the medevil era. Unfortunately I have virtually no information on Dutch choirs. With the Reformation the choirs that had existed were all dipanded. The current boy choir tradition in the Netherlands is thus a Protestant tradition. Like Protesant choirs in other European countries, since World War I sailor suits have been popular choir costumes.

Individual Choirs

Information is available on two Dutch choirs:

Breda

The Breda Music Institute, home of both the Breda Sacrament Choir and The Chorale of Breda Cathedral, was founded in 1992. The institute was founded in order to help the choir maintain its present status of one of the most outstanding choirs with boys and men in the Netherlands. Breda Sacrament Choir was founded in 1926 and The Chorale of Breda Cathedral was founded in the 14th century.

The Hague

The Haags Matrozenkoor (The Hague's sailor-boys choir) was founded in 1928 and celebrates its 70th anniversary in 1998. Originally a church boys choir, it has become a much sought-after choir performing successful concerts both at home and abroad. The boy's ages range from 7 to 15 years. After Sipke de Jong and Evert Wagter they are singing under the inspired baton of Nico Hovius since September 1998. The repertoire consists of both classical and modern music, as well as sacred and secular music and, reflecting the linguist abilities of the Netherlands, is sung in many languages. The choir performs many concerts, especially at Christmas time. For Easter it is traditional to perform the St. Matthew passion by J.S. Bach in various towns. Since 1995 the choir performs once a year together with the famous orchestra of The Hague: The 'Residentie Orkest', a great classical work.

Figure 2.--The Haags Matrozenkoor (the Hague's Sailor-boy Choir), like many Protestant choirs in northern Europe dresses the boys in sailor suits. This also recalls the Netherland's maritime tradition.

The choir conductor is Nico Hovius. The choir is divided into 3 groups. Boys of 7-8 years join the A-class without audition. They sing, in unison, an international repertoire which they learn by heart. They give occasional concerts in hospitals and nursing homes. After approximately 2 years the boys are promoted to the B-class and after a further more year, to the Concert-class (C-Class). Meanwhile, they have learned the entire repertoire by heart. The B-Class and the Concert-class practise together twice a week.

The boys for concerts and other performances wear authentic sailor suit uniforms, giving an Dutch national touch to the boys' performance. The sailor suits recall Holland's long maritime history. Little Holland once had the most powerful navy in Europe--rivaling that of England itself.