The number of choir singers in the Netherlands is on the rise again. This means that the recovery after corona – which caused great damage in the choir world – has now really started. This is the conclusion of Koornetwerk Nederland based on the numbers of singers of the 15 choir associations that are affiliated with the umbrella organization. The reference date was January 1, 2024.
The increase in the number of people singing together is – compared to 2023 – small at 0.17%, but that small percentage is still of great significance. Last year there was a decrease of -2.77% and the year before that even of -7.48%. In the choir associations that still see a decrease in the number of members, the decrease has weakened considerably.
Pleased development
The umbrella organization, which represents 106,932 amateur singers through its affiliated choir associations, calls it a gratifying development. Chairman Ruut te Velthuis: “The work of the past few years to support the choir sector – not only by us, but by many partners in the amateur arts – is starting to pay off. That is exactly what we were aiming for with our Recovery and Future Plan (2022). It is great that more and more new singers are discovering the joy of singing together.”
Regional corn associations
After the 'disaster years' of 2020 and 2021, 2022 also started with a lockdown that prevented amateur choirs from singing together. 2023 became the year of recovery and that led to the numbers recorded on 1 January 2024. Regional choir associations in particular are seeing more and more people who want to sing again. Such as the Association of Choirs in Drenthe (+ 10.3%) and the Association for Choirs in Friesland, which takes the crown with 15.6% more singers.
“That is very nice, yes, absolutely”, says Margriet Petter, chair of the Association for Choirs in Friesland. “Our growth is mainly due to the arrival of 9 new choirs in various genres. As a relatively new board, we have recently emphasized the 'mienskip', the togetherness. During our new style competitions, for example. There, the focus is no longer on performance, but on having a good time in meeting each other. Perhaps that contributes to this nice increase.”
Older choir singers
But the increase is also striking among older choir singers, while this is where the biggest blows fell during the pandemic. The National Organization of Senior Choirs (LOVOK) notes 12% more choir singers than a year ago.