Wednesday 28 September, 2022 at 05:33
This year the MiXX vocal association consists of our own Hengevelde for 26 years. This beautiful anniversary will be celebrated on October 21, 2022 with a concert, ‘completely under its own power’. Tickets at €7.50 are available at De Bazar van Jon, via the members of MiXX of course or by emailing aleidvoskamp51@gmail.com. The evening starts at 8 p.m., location Herberg De Gebrande Waateren.
An interview with a mixed group: Joke Boomkamp (member since 1996), Frank Appelman (member since 2004 and also chairman since 2016) and Jos Artz (member since 2021).
In 1996 a group of enthusiastic singers from Hengevelde founded a new choir: MiXX ’96. There were already three choirs in the village at that time. The new choir would not be a church choir, but more of a pop choir with songs from classical to pop.
The ambitions were great. It became more than ‘singing a little’, because the association was legally registered, a rehearsal location had to be found, and of course a conductor had to be appointed. This worked and no fewer than 38 people, mainly from Hengevelde, came to sing together in MiXX!
From the outset it was fun at Assink before, during and after the rehearsals on Monday. With permanent musicians in the band and a conductor on violin, a solid foundation was laid. The choir made music together, but mutual friendship also grew. Something that is perhaps even more central today than it was then. “We are really there for each other.”
There is serious rehearsal. Of course a lot is expected of the singers, but they also help each other. Knowing the parties, texts by heart as much as possible and preferably: a large dose of enthusiasm. No one is left behind in this. Not then and not now. The enthusiasm remains unchanged, the three members say. The third half was always well attended. Fortunately, it is also still available at De Marke, the current practice location.
MiXX’96 now consists of no less than 60 members. Hengevelde remains the basis, but today members come from all over the world: Delden, Diepenheim, Beckum, Geesteren, Bentelo, etcetera. MiXX is a household name in our village and according to the members ‘you call MiXX and Hengevelde in the same breath’. Hengevelde is a village where a lot is possible.
There is supposedly a high involvement in the choir. There is also little turnover, the majority have been members for a long time. Recently 6 new members joined. Four from Delden and two from Hengevelde. It helps to integrate, says Jos, who has lived in our village for two years now. Together with his wife, he was happy to become a member of MiXX. He likes it very much and many new social contacts have been made.
Conviviality at its best. A strength of MiXX. But make no mistake, it does work. Everyone does this in their own way, stimulated by today’s conductor: Sander Fox. A name that almost makes the eyes of the trio shine. Sander came in as a substitute at one of the performances and actually never left. It was arranged with a choir from Hengelo that Sander can accompany both them and MiXX musically on Monday evenings.
He has been with the group for about 4 years now. And he is positively critical, say the members. The level of the singing and the quality of the repertoire has increased further. Sander dares to address the choir, but always does so constructively: “Everything will be fine”. He keeps in constant contact with the band, the showpiece of MiXX. George de Witte on bass guitar, Seine Hendriks on rhythm guitar, Gerie Scholten on piano and Ronald Rikkert on drums. The choir is proud of it. An own band that musically shapes the songs from the 60s to the present. From classical to pop. From Adiemus to songs by Queen, ABBA and Toto. Really mixed.
With the jubilee concert on 21 October, the choir is happy to celebrate where it is now. There is still so much fun and also a party to listen to, according to the reactions over the years. The concert is different from previous concerts. This time MiXX is going ‘solo’. It promises to be a special evening, unlike any other.
Below are some photos from the past few years and a photo of the beautiful choir of today!