Atmospheric tests were obtained in the accordion assembly by exercise

Photo: Rolf van Koppen Photography – Mabel Bu00f6hmsThe eleven members of DOV are now missing the bass accordion.

Westland has a rich associative life. A lot of that has stopped in the past year. But slowly the clubs started to advance again. Westlanders can get together again to focus on their hobby together. The whole of Westland savors the atmosphere. This time in the accordion association the Door Oefening (DOV) in De Lier was acquired.

by Evelyn Lammerding

Every Monday evening DOV members rush their accordion to De Lier’s practice room to rehearse there. Francine van der Croek, 76, of Hennweg parked her car fifteen minutes before the start of training along Twenderslaan. She could call herself the oldest member of the club and enthusiastically participate in making music. “Although I’ve noticed things aren’t going as smoothly as they used to be,” she admits.

Inside, Cok Voordenhout (74), who has been a member since July 1, 1960—shows her “Proof of Membership” with the Society’s Ten Commandments—set up space for exercise.

“We used to train in Maasdijk, but that became very complicated, because at a certain point we had to clear everything before we could get in.”

With all the accordions needed to be lifted one by one, these were quite important and the bass accordion always proved to be a problem when lifting for clearing. So three years ago they moved to De Lier, where the space was created in the Voordenhout barn. “We only have tulips here in the winter,” she says. The eleven members now faithfully gather together to prepare the most beautiful shows. And they all now miss an accordion bass player. Maestro Jan Hubert Janssens (42 years old) from Ridderkerk playing at the time instead is the visual part on the keyboard.

The whole area

Musicians flow slowly but surely. They come from all over the region: from the centers of Westland to Maassluis, Vlaardingen and Schiedam. Ages range from 37 to 76 years.

When nine of the eleven accordionists—one of whom is still working and still on vacation—arrives and the conductor arrives just before eight, the rehearsal can begin. The group is rehearsing folk tracks for the September 11 concert. DOV will then give its first show after a long period of silence due to Corona on the Memorial Day Open at De Dom van De Lier.

holiday

“Last year we were going to put on a big show for our 75th anniversary,” says Lenny Hordick, 63, of Vlardingen. Three hundred visitors are expected for this show, as DOV will perform at the anniversary of four Janssens orchestras. “Everything was planned, as well as joint exercises, but yes …”, it sounds a bit shaky. But: “It’s still in the barrel. And the orchestra has secured their cooperation. And we’ve been able to recruit members. As a result, we’ve received two new members,” Hordic ends with a happy note.

The conductor counts down, and the orchestra begins. After an exhilarating marching ballad, a cinematic piece and Beatles music in which the conductor tactfully points out the importance of maintaining rhythm and dynamics and playing the right musical notes, club president Ad van Hoeven steps in in the quarter to nine. “We missed the noise,” the warm sound of the orchestra. Laugh, it’s time for a coffee break.

relaxation

Van Hoeven came later, because he was busy smashing the last buildings of the Bradeler, he explains. Now it’s time for his musical side.

Van Hoeven’s father founded the accordion society after the war, says 55-year-old Lérinard. “DOV was founded as an association from Maasdijk. I started playing the accordion when I was 8 and it’s still relaxing,” he says. Van Hoeven feared the club’s continued existence during the Corona year. “Honor is very close to suspending the association due to Corona. The membership appointment process went well. We were also able to practice online and fortunately we were able to start playing together again in June.”

With other members of the orchestra, he is looking forward to performing on September 11th at De Dom. DOV will then run between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.