Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

Worship service
Please join us in the church for a service of worship by our minister Rev Marius Louw.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

Liturgy sheet.

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

Christmas Day service

Please join us in the church for the Christmas Day service by our minister Rev Marius Louw..

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

Liturgy sheet.

Christmas Eve service

Please join us in church for the Christmas Eve service.
We will start at 22:00 with carol singing.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

The live stream will start at 22.00 hrs.

Liturgy sheet.

Christmas Eve Family service
Please join us in church for the Christmas Eve Family service, by our minister Rev Marius Louw.

Liturgy sheet.

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

Fourth Advent Sunday service
Please join us in the church for the Fourth Advent Sunday service by our minister Rev Marius Louw.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

Liturgy sheet.

True to the Heart

Christmas reminds us how important it is to stay true to what truly matters.

True to the heart means daring to live with honesty, love, and connection.

It means recognizing the good in each other and listening attentively.

When we stay true to our deepest values, true peace arises.

During our concert, we hope you will recognize and experience the joy of singing together and share in the resulting sense of community.

KAARTEN: €12,50 via: rootskooramsterdam@gmail.com

GrandStand Classic Koor

The choir, directed by Adriaen van der Veen, will bring a varied Christmas Concert, with works from Charles Gounod, Heinrich Schütz and Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as a variety of well and lesser known carols from different parts of the world.

The choir will be accompanied by Gijs Raeven on piano and organ, and the Ensemble Conservatorium Amsterdam.

TICKETS:  € 15,00 reservations: Grandstand

Early Friday Morning Prayers
Join us for informal contemplative prayer mornings led by our minister Marius Louw, every Friday, in the church.
These sessions are open to anyone seeking a quiet environment for prayer and reflection.
We encourage you to come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you!

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

🎶 Carolling on the Spui

Come join us on the Spui where we will sing Christmas carols together, led by our Music Director, Richard Zook.

Immediately after the morning service on Sunday, 14 December.  

Third Advent with Nativity scene
Please join us in the church for Third Advent with Nativity scene, by our minister Rev Marius Louw.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

Liturgy sheet.

Please join us in the church for a
Traditional Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

The Order of Service.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

A Brief History of the Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.

While traditional Christmas carols are now commonly sung during services of worship throughout the world, until the latter part of the 19th century they were considered to be secular and were sung in the home or by groups of singers visiting people's houses. In the mid-1870's this began to change as more and more churches introduced traditional carols into their Advent and Christmas services. Referring to Truro Cathedral, the Royal Cornwall Gazette of 20 December, 1878 reported.

"The Choir of the Cathedral will sing a number of carols in the Cathedral on Christmas Eve, the service commencing at 10pm. We understand that this is at the wish of many of the leading parishioners and others. A like service has been instituted in other cathedral and large towns, and has been much appreciated. It is the intention of the choir to no longer continue the custom of singing carols at the residences of members of the congregation."

 The service we know today is very much linked to King's College, Cambridge, where the chapel choir first sang it on Christmas Eve, 1918. It has continued this tradition every year since then, gaining even more listeners through the radio broadcast of the service, which started in 1928 and has continued every year (with the exception of 1930.) 

While originating in the Anglican Church, the service was quickly adopted in Roman Catholic and other churches throughout the UK, and then the rest of the world. Here at the English Reformed Church in Amsterdam we enjoy the opportunity to include traditional carols and compositions from many different countries. While we conduct the service in English, it is interesting to note that at one school in Quebec, Canada, the nine lessons are read in nine different languages or dialects! Perhaps something to consider for future years here...

Early Friday Morning Prayers
Join us for informal contemplative prayer mornings led by our minister Marius Louw, every Friday, in the church.
These sessions are open to anyone seeking a quiet environment for prayer and reflection.
We encourage you to come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you!

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

Advent Bible Studies - Join Us!

Come and share in Advent Bible Studies with friends from across the International Presbytery.
We will meet for an hour of reflection, conversation, and fellowship as we prepare for Christmas together.
From 19.30 to 20.30.

All are welcome - bring your curiosity, faith, and good humour!
Contact to sign up: Christine Colliar.

'langs de randen van vreugde en verdriet'

door vijfentwintig stemmen van SLAVUJ - Amsterdamse koor met een on-Nederlands geluid

Dag, bezoeker van de Slavuj-concerten,

In 2025 heeft Slavuj weer menige concertzaal, kerk en feestruimte bezongen. December zal ons weer terugbrengen in de vertrouwde Engelse kerk, geliefd om zijn mooie akoestiek.

Op het programma staan liederen - hernemingen en nieuwe - uit favoriete muzieklanden als Bosnië, Oekraïne, Bulgarije, Roemenië en Georgië, maar nu ook uit Turkije. De makam, de toonladder van de Turkse muziek, draagt bij aan het typische, melancholieke geluid ervan.

Extra kleur krijgt het repertoire door een paar Roma en Sefardische liederen én door een bijzondere soort uit Georgië, de healing songs Batonebo. Daarin worden goede geesten aangeroepen om een zieke (veelal een kind) te genezen. Ze zijn poëtisch bijzonder, maar zeker ook muzikaal, door de polyfone structuur en de bourdon (continue bastoon).

De liederen gaan vrijwel steeds over liefde en verlies, ofwel 'langs de randen van vreugde en verdriet'.

Zoals altijd zijn de arrangementen gemaakt door onze muzikaal leider Ivo Boswijk. Hij bewerkt de oorspronkelijk instrumentale begeleiding tot zingbare stempartijen, veelal a capella, af en toe in combinatie met gitaar.

Graag tot 7 of 13 december!

KAARTEN: €18/€13 via slavuj

20s & 30s Lunch
Every first Sunday of the month the 20s & 30s group from the church meet at Calf & Bloom for lunch and fellowship after the service (around noon).

Anyone is welcome to join! For questions, get in touch with Elisabeth: elisabeth.ijmker@erc.amsterdam

Second Advent Sunday service
Please join us in the church for the Second Advent Sunday service by our minister Rev Marius Louw.
This service includes a celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

For those wishing to join the service online, you can follow the live stream here.

Liturgy sheet.

Amsterdam Gala Orchestra

Step into the enchanting world of classical music in one of Amsterdam’s most hidden and historic treasures—the English Reformed Church at the Begijnhof. Nestled in a serene courtyard dating back to the Middle Ages, this venue provides the perfect setting for an evening of musical brilliance.

Enjoy an extraordinary performance by renowned musicians as they bring to life some of the most celebrated works in classical music history. From the moving melodies of Bach and Mozart to the passionate compositions of Vivaldi and Beethoven, each piece is performed with exceptional artistry, creating an unforgettable experience for all music lovers.

Program:

- A. Vivaldi - The Four Seasons (Spring&Summer)

- J. Pachelbel - Canon & Gigue in D major

- W. A. Mozart - Requiem (Lacrimosa)

- J. S. Bach - Air on the G String

- F. Schubert - Ave Maria

- W. A. Mozart - Salzburg Symphony K136 Allegro

- L. van Beethoven - Symphony No. 5 (Allegro)

TICKETS: €26 advanced sales: tickets - Gala Orchestra

Early Friday Morning Prayers
Join us for informal contemplative prayer mornings led by our minister Marius Louw, every Friday, in the church.
These sessions are open to anyone seeking a quiet environment for prayer and reflection.
We encourage you to come as you are. We look forward to welcoming you!

Coffee Morning
Come and enjoy coffee together. If you are interested to come, please contact Sies Plokker.

Advent Bible Studies - Join Us!

Come and share in Advent Bible Studies with friends from across the International Presbytery.
We will meet on Mondays 1 and 8 December, for an hour of reflection, conversation, and fellowship as we prepare for Christmas together.
From 19.30 to 20.30.

All are welcome - bring your curiosity, faith, and good humour!
Contact to sign up: Christine Colliar.

Zomeroctet

Kamerensemble van blazers en strijkers

o.l.v. Frank van den Brink

Ludwig van Beethoven - Septet opus 20 voor blazers en strijkers

Friedrich Witt - Octet voor blazers en strijkers

Frank van den Brink - klarinet

Toon de Zoeten - fagot

Casper Holl - hoorn

Fieke Smitskamp - viool

Suus van den Akker - viool

Sara Klaassen - altviool

Manon Veenendaal - cello

Giselle Alma-Visch - contrabas

TICKETS: €15 Aan de deur contant of met tikkie; vooraf via: KaartenZomeroctet