The Alphens Cossacks Choir performs regularly. For an impression see the list of performances in the archive of the agenda.
Many people love Russian Orthodox music and sometimes want to sing it themselves in a choir. A male choir, such as the Alphens Cossacks Choir, for example, is the obvious choice.
The choir was founded in 2007 and is conducted by conductor Arkadi Gankin, who grew up in Belarus and received his musical training in Minsk. The conductor also speaks good Dutch.
Russian Orthodox music, also called Byzantine liturgical, is sung in the Russian language. That is not difficult, because the texts are phoneticized according to Dutch pronunciation. Still, it sounds Russian. The choir often receives compliments about the language after a performance by Russians. Of course the choir makes grateful use of Arkadi Gankin's instructions.
The choir consists of approximately 35 members. The voices are divided between basses, baritones and first and second tenors. After a few weeks of introduction, it is determined in consultation with the conductor and Music Committee which voice group is best suited for a new member.
The members come from Alphen and the surrounding area, such as Leiderdorp, Woubrugge, Roelofarendsveen, Ter Aar, Aalsmeer, Wilnis, Nieuwkoop, Woerden, Moordrecht, Wassenaar, Leimuiden, Nieuw-Vennep and Zoetermeer. In addition to practicing the repertoire, socializing is an important factor.
The weekly rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings from 7.45 pm to 10.15 pm in the Maranathakerk, Jongkindt Coninckstraat 2 in Alphen aan den Rijn. For the rent of the church hall and a fee for the (professional) conductor, of course, a contribution must be paid. This amounts to € 25 per month.
Interested parties can contact the secretary, 0172-431373, or fill in and send the form below for one or more introductory rehearsals.