Like Hearing It For The First Time
Akoesticum & Red Moss Music Theatre
A wonderful educational project which is currently needed to start making a difference in the choral landscape of the Netherlands.
Read it here for the first time!
Akoesticum Ede and Muziektheater Rood Mos Arnhem present Alsof Je Het Voor Het Eerst Hoort, and our partners are Koornetwerk Nederland, Vocalink and the Koninklijke Christelijke Zangersbond. Made possible by VSBfonds, municipality of Ede, municipality of Enschede, municipality of Arnhem, from Idea to Performance.
About Like Hearing It For the First Time
Alsof Je Het Voor Het Eerst Hoort is a wonderful education project which is currently needed to start making a difference in the choral landscape of the Netherlands. It contains a low-threshold method to introduce choirs to this new form of storytelling; from experience and staging. It offers choirs inspiration and concrete production opportunities to develop further and to welcome new members and audiences.
About Matteus Junior
In 2017, The Matthew Junior was performed for the first time by music theatre De Plaats Arnhem and the Toonkunstkoor Arnhem. Designed to make a tradition accessible to new and young audiences, this staged version of Bach's Matthew proved such a success that the performance remained on the programme. The performance has since made its appearance in several cities between 2017 and 2024 in collaboration with various choirs (inter-)nationally. Audience reactions everywhere were unanimously heartwarming. "Like hearing and seeing the play for the first time. Like understanding the story for the first time! Rarely experienced such an emotional performance of Matthew." Our ideal: a tribute to the beauty and meaning of story and music for young and old sá together. A new contribution to an old tradition. For further information, see www.matteus-junior.nl
Choirs sought for the Matteus junior
Since last year, the Matthew Junior has been working with Akoesticum Ede to further disseminate this musical theatre performance nationwide. From 2026 onwards, choirs from all over the Netherlands can collaborate as co-producers in the release of the performance in their own city.
This programme offers choirs the chance to experience and perform Bach's St Matthew Passion theatrically. It introduces a low-threshold method of telling stories from experience and theatrical presentation. This not only ensures artistic development, but also helps to engage new members and a wider audience.
Relevant projects
The Gospel Biennial 2026-2027 is a nationwide participatory project of Akoesticum and ZO! Gospel Choir that focuses on education, meeting and community building.
Café Friso is a new creative meeting place where young people from Ede build, create and programme together.
Alsof Je Het Voor Het Eerst Hoort is a wonderful educational project which is currently needed to start making a difference in the choral landscape of the Netherlands.