Dutch Boy Choir Costumes


Figure 1.--Here we see the Rotterdam Boys Choir at the front of their choir house--the socalled 'Scheepsbrug'. It is the former part of a ship (the bridge) which was given to the choir after demolishing the (rest of the) ship. Now rebuild at the Leuvehaven (innerharbour in the city just at the river Rhine/Maas).

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. Dutch choirs as they are organized by various churches. A such, they commonly perform in liturgical robes. The sailor suit also appears to be a popular style for choirs in the Netherlands. In fact it may have been the Netherlands where the sailor suit was first adopted by boys' choirs, even though the sailor suit is now most associated with the Austrian and German choirs. Information is available on several Dutch choirs which range from the very old to the very new. Most are protestant choirs. There is, however, on Catholic choir which may have been on of the first choirs to adopt the sailor suit as their uniform.

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. The Netherlands of course has a long maritime tradition.

Terminology

A Dutch reader living in America tells us, "I do not know much about modern Dutch choirs, although I am in a choir myself. I was nmot in a choir when I grew up in the Netherlands. I checked some information on the computer. I found some interesting things, like the fact that a boys choir in Flemish Belgium is called a Knapenkoor, while in the Netherlands they call it a Jongenskoor. Of course Flemish is really Dutch, so the use of different terms is interesting."

Prevalence

Boy choirs in the Netherlands were more common after World War II than before the War. I am not sure just why why that is.

Choir Costumes

Dutch choirs as they are organized by various churches. A such, they commonly perform in liturgical robes. The sailor suit also appears to be a popular style for choirs in the Netherlands. In fact it may have been the Netherlands where the sailor suit was first adopted by boys' choirs, even though the sailor suit is now most associated with the Austrian choir the the Wiener Sangerknaben --Vienna Choirboys. Sailor suits are used as travling uniforms and for secular performances. Other outfits are also used by he Dutch choirs for their uniforms.

Individual Choirs

Information is available on several Dutch choirs which range from the very old to the very new. Most are protestant choirs. There is, however, on Catholic choir which may have been on of the first choirs to adopt the sailor suit as their uniform. We have found quite a number of Dutch boy choirs located in several Dutch cities. Our information on several of the chirs is very limited. Hopefully our Dutch readers will provide more details.








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Created: November 2, 1998
Last updated: 1:50 PM 2/26/2006