Figure 1.--Some of the younger boys of the Laudemus Dominum choir are seen here in 1935 studying their masic music lessons. They wear their traditioinal sailor suit unifoms.

The Laudemus Dominum inter Angelos choir in the Hague is one of the best known Dutch choirs. For religious services they wore ecleasistical robes. Other wise the choir uniform was "matrozenpakjes" (sailor suits; matroos=sailor, pakjes=suit). They called themselves "matrozenkoor" (sailors choir). This choir wore sailor suits long before the Wiener Sangerknaben did and must have been one of the very first to adopt the sailor suit. The boys were recruted from catholic schools and divided in three classes.

The Choir

The Laudemus Dominum inter Angelos choir in the Hague is one of the best known Dutch choirs. It is a Catholic choir.

Uniform

For religious services they wore ecleasistical robes. Other wise the choir uniform was "matrozenpakjes" (sailor suits; matroos=sailor, pakjes=suit). They called themselves "matrozenkoor" (sailors choir). This choir wore sailor suits long before the Wiener Sangerknaben did and must have been one of the very first to adopt the sailor suit.

Organiztion

The boys were recruted from Catholic schools and divided in three classes.
Preparatory class: Younger boys (7-8 years) in a preparatory school were schooled in voice and breathing techniques, gregorian and polyphone church music.
Choir class: After achieving certain skills and passing a examination the preparatory boys became member of the choir-class of about 65 boys. This class performed in the church.
Concert class: The best singers became member of the concert class. These boys performed in concerts like the yearly Matthaus Passion. The concert class also performed outside the Netherlands under the name "les Petite Chanteurs de Hollande".

Matthaus Passion

The Matthaus Passion is an important tradition in the Netherlands. Every year you can hear this wonderfull piece of music all around. The very best choirs of the world, with the very best soloists come to the Netherlands in the passion-time of the year. I will go myself to Amsterdam this year. Important groups from all over Europe participate. One Dutch reader in 2001 reports that he is looking forwards to the famous Concertgebouw Orchestre with a wonderfull boys choir from Eastern Europe.