Report by Elly Laan
At the initiative of Elly Meekel, Bovenkerk special musical gathering took place at the Noorddamcentrum in Bovenkerk . The main hall had been transformed into a concert hall and was filled with audience members and participants. Mayor Tjapko Poppens opened the event and emphasized the importance of cultural exchange and connection.
The varied program began with the Japanese Chorus Sora, led by conductor Ryo Yamada. With his impressive combination of piano playing and conducting, the choir performed beautiful Japanese works. As a surprise, they also sang “Along the Canals of Amsterdam,” and the audience enthusiastically sang along.
Next up was the Klasik Türkse Müzik choir, conducted by Mikail Erdogan. Accompanied by a variety of traditional Turkish instruments, the performance created an authentic atmosphere. Two soloists from the choir added further variety to the program.
After the intermission, the B and A orchestras of the De Concertina’s Accordion Association took the stage, conducted by Elly Meekel. With a varied program, including “Emotion,” “Baile de Fantasia,” and music from *West Side Story*, they captivated the audience.
The afternoon concluded with a joint performance of the Amstelveen Song, performed by De Concertina’s and sung by Chorus Sora.
The concert was a successful afternoon where music brought three cultures together. Afterward, attendees had the opportunity to mingle and enjoy Japanese, Turkish, and Dutch snacks. It was a wonderful initiative, made possible by the dedication of those involved and the support of the Amstelveen municipality.