David's men's choir receives royal medal of honor

Kerkrade men's choir David received the Royal Medal of Honor last Sunday. Mayor Petra Dassen awarded the medal of honor during the men's choir's postponed anniversary celebration.

The choir was founded on December 26, 1920 in Spekholzerheide, but due to corona, the celebration of the 100th anniversary in 2020 did not take place. The Royal Medal of Honor is awarded in the name of King Willem-Alexander and symbolizes King's respect and appreciation for the special merits of the men's choir.

Men's Choir David originated from Männer-gesangverein Sankt David Speckholzerheide from 1871. This choir gave its last performance in February 1908, because the membership had shrunk to eight people. These eight people continued under the new name Men's Choir David. The choir is over 50 strong and is under the direction of conductor Charles Steffann. The choir masters a wide variety of polyphonic choral works in many languages, accompanied or not on piano or other instruments, from classical to contemporary music.

The men's choir is well known in Kerkrade as well as the surrounding region where performances and concerts are regularly held. Over the years, the choir has made concert tours to a large number of countries in Europe and friendships have been established and mutual visits exchanged with many choirs at home and abroad. Mayor Petra Dassen: "Mannenkoor David is almost 102 years old and occupies an important place in Kerkrade's intangible cultural heritage. The choir is a worthy ambassador of Klankstad Kerkrade."