August 27 - Triple-concert | Martin Mans, Martin Zonnenberg en André Knevel

About the musicians:

Martin Mans

Martin Mans was born in 1965 in Melissant. On the South Holland island of Goeree-Overflakkee, he also discovered his passion for the organ. Martin Mans received his first organ lessons at the age of seven, took on the accompaniment of various choirs at eleven, and became the regular church organist of his hometown church at twelve. In his youth, Mans won several competitions. At fourteen, he performed on the organ for NCRV radio, soon after winning these competitions. The foundation of his organ playing was thus formed at a young age. In addition to his organ studies, Martin Mans professionalized in choir conducting.

In 1995, Mans became the organist of the Breepleinkerk in Rotterdam, where he is still active today. He contributed to more than five hundred CD recordings. Enthusiastically, he then made a series of DVDs. Martin Mans received one platinum and two gold CDs due to his sales successes. Mans did not achieve this by sitting still. He gives an average of two hundred and fifty concerts per year, not only within the national borders. Foreign concert tours have taken him through Europe, Canada, America, Australia, and South Africa.

Martin Zonnenberg

Martin Zonnenberg (1958) had an interest in the royal instrument, the organ, from a young age. At the age of 12, he was already accompanying several choirs. He obtained diplomas in choir conducting and school music. Martin Zonnenberg is affiliated as an organist with the Dutch Reformed Church in Sliedrecht (Naber organ, 1852). He is the conductor of the Christian Sliedrecht Male Choir Ichtus (170 members), the Ichtus Male Ensemble (IME), and the Small Choir Concertino.

Additionally, he works as a compiler and arranger for the well-known TV program 'Nederland Zingt'. Outside Europe, he has performed as a conductor, pianist, and organist in Israel, Canada, and America. As a composer, he is known for his instrumental arrangements and numerous compositions for choir, organ, orchestra, and more. In 2002, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Orange-Nassau.

André Knevel

Organist André Knevel was born in Bussum, Netherlands. From a very young age, he felt attracted to the organ. At the age of 8, he began his first organ and piano lessons. His teachers included Dr. J.A.M. van Stokkum, Rutger van Mazijk, and Willem Hendrik Zwart. André Knevel gave his first official organ concert at the age of 19. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed organist in the Reformed Congregation in Hilversum. In 1975, André Knevel emigrated to Canada, where he settled in St. Catharines, Ontario. There, he is affiliated with various Christian schools as a music teacher and serves as a church organist.

André Knevel continued his organ studies with Dr. John Tuttle, an organ instructor at the Royal Conservatory in Toronto, who trained André for his organ diploma B. He makes many concert tours through Canada, America, Europe, and South Africa. As a highly sought-after organist, he annually undertakes a summer tour in the Netherlands and Germany, giving 30 to 40 concerts. He has numerous CDs to his name. Through this, he hopes to share his gifts and talents for music with his audience, but above all, it is his wish that it may be to the praise and honor of God. In 2010, his 40th anniversary as an organist was commemorated.