From dance orchestras and fairs to national radio and the conservatory. TheHelmond accordion music could be heard everywhere in the 50s and 60s. The cityhad no fewer than three orchestras. Famous accordionists came from Helmond.But now there is only one orchestra left. Accordeana, with 17 accordionplayers, is eagerly looking for new blood.
“When we give concerts, people often say: Gee, that sounds so beautiful on theaccordion,” says conductor Ronald van Overbruggen. He was himself a student ofthe famous Arie Willems. “A great musician, who ensured that the accordion wasrecognized at the conservatory as a fully-fledged instrument. Just like theviolin.” Van Overbruggen took over from Willems and also taught at theconservatory.
The city of Helmond also produced Addy Kleijngeld, who rose to great heightsin the commercial field. “I don’t think there is a Dutch song from the 50s or60s that Addy didn’t participate in,” says Ronald. For example, Addy is knownas the discoverer of Heintje. “I think that the folksy of the accordion suitedHelmond very well.”
“As soon as kids get to a good level, they go to college and drop out.”
The conductor of Accordeana is busy on Thursday evening on the stage of theBethlehem Church in Helmond. It is the final technical run-through forAccordeana’s new Christmas performance on Friday and Saturday evenings. Thewhole church is brought into the Christmas spirit with video projections andlight. “We also work with a choir,” says chairman Wilco van Laarhoven. “Wereally take the audience into a beautiful story.”
The quality of the accordionists at Accordeana is high. You cannot join theorchestra as a beginner. And therein lies the problem. “Accordion lessons aregiven in Helmond,” says Wilco. “But once kids get to a good level, they oftengo off to study and quit.” So the Helmond accordion music is still of highquality, but there are not enough people who play the musical instrument. “Theoboe and the clarinet have the same problem, by the way.”
“We promote the accordion in schools, so kids think it’s pretty cool.”
The gentlemen readily admit that the average age of the musicians atAccordeana may also put you off a bit. “We are not looking for young children.If they want to play, they would love to, but they might feel less comfortablewhen everyone is over 40,” says Wilco. “Actually, we hope that new people willcome to live in Helmond, who would like to play. Helmond is growing with newdistricts, such as Brandevoort and Suytkade. We hope that people who play theaccordion will come and live there.”
The old-fashioned is really gone, according to Wilco and Ronald. “We regularlypromote the accordion in schools, so kids think it’s pretty cool,” says Wilco.“Our Christmas performance goes beyond just sitting and playing. We hope thatpeople get the idea that this is really something special. We want to wrapeveryone in a warm musical blanket with our music.” Ronald: “Silent Night is avery easy song to play, but to make it sound really nice, that’s a lot more