Scratch Music Days Leiden
Scratch music - starting from scratch. For the participants in the Scratch Music Days Leiden it means taking part in a musical event that annually draws people from all over the Netherlands. In the first year, 1988, the choir and orchestra totalled some 160 participants. By 1998 the numbers had risen to 2800 and in 2008 we expect more than 3500 singers and musicians to take part.
Historical background
In 1987 members of Collegium Musicum (Leiden University Choir & Orchestra) travelled to the City of York in England for an international exchange event. The English students came up with the idea of a joint performance of Händel's Messiah from scratch and their Dutch counterparts were eager to take part. The only 'rehearsal' had been listening to a tape of the Messiah during the trip to England. The result was not a flawless performance, but the fun element was contagious, and so the idea was born to make it a yearly event in Leiden.
Choirs and orchestras in the Leiden area were approached and in June 1988 the first Scratch Messiah was performed in the Petra Church. Reactions were so enthusiastic that a larger location was necessary for the next scratch event. The Pieterskerk (Peter’s Church), a cultural historical monument in Leiden, was considered ideal. The earliest part of the Pieterskerk dates from the 14C, and this Gothic setting is large enough to accommodate up to 1000 participants per day. The event has grown over the years. Originally only Händel’s Messiah was performed from scratch. After 4 years a second day was added, later a third, and presently it’s a 4-day event.
Who takes part?
Participants come from all over the country and some even from abroad. They are young and old, experienced as well as inexperienced musicians - people with a marked preference for one of the programs, or people who sign up for all of the 4 days. All have, however, one thing in common, a tremendous enthusiasm.
The Foundation Scratch Music Days Leiden sends out 8000 registration forms to all previous participants. Choirs and orchestras also receive information about forthcoming dates and programs. In addition to this, press releases are distributed. Anybody interested in taking part can apply for a registration form. Those who are accepted can rehearse at home with the music appropriate to their voice, choice of program or musical instrument. On the chosen day those taking part meet together for the first time in the Pieterskerk. The conductor joins them and a full day of rehearsals start. During the course of the day professional soloists arrive, to rehearse along with the choir. That same evening the performance takes place in front of an audience. The enthusiasm of the participants is contagious and usually the conductor gets everybody: choir, soloists, public and whoever else is in the church singing at the end of the program.
Program 2009
In 2009 the program will be as follows:
Thursday February 12th: Händel’s Messiah; Friday February 13th, Mozart, Requiem, Coronation Mass, etc. Saturday February 14th, Musical Highlights, Sunday, February 15th, Verdi, Requiem. For full details and names of conductors and soloists, check the program information (uitgebreide programma informatie).
Scratch Music days Leiden. Unique in the Netherlands Although there are now similar events elsewhere in the Netherlands, the Scratch Music days Leiden remains unique. Firstly because of the sheer size of the event and number of participants. Secondly because it is almost the only organisation to try works other than Händel's Messiah as 'scratch' music and thanks to the smooth organisation it's always possible to schedule a practical joke or surprise element into the program. One year on the Verdi evening the conductor entered the church on the back of an elephant!
To be able to hold these 4 musical days a committee of roughly 25 people work on a voluntary basis during the whole year. On the actual days many more people pitch in to help with checking tickets, coffee breaks, lunch, etc. etc. The goal for everyone is the same - to allow as many people as possible to get tremendous enjoyment out of making music together. |
