Figure 1.--

The Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino choir is located in Aalst, a Belgian town approximately 25 km from Brussels, the center of Europe. Ot is midway between Brussels anf Ghent along the river Dender, There is a historical record of Aalst dating to 840 AD. It was a village desctibed as a dependancy of the Abbey of Lobbes. Ths was just at the time the Vikings appeared in Western Christendom and no long afterwards, the village was sacked by the Vilings. A town hall was built in the 12th century. A fire devestated the town in 1360. The town was rebuil A beautiful gothic belfry was build in the 15th century. Aalst is located in eastern Flanders, right on the on the boundary between Flanders and Brabant. This was an area claimed by both German princes and French kings. Thus various monarchs ruled the area. The modern town flag includes both the German eagle and the French Crown. Aalst was seized by the Louis XIV in the War of Devolution during 1667 and was retained by the French until held by the French until 1706. Aalst today is noted for its festive carnaval celebrated in February.