Short introduction

SCHOLA CANTORUM KAROLUS MAGNUS

The Schola Cantorum Karolus Magnus in Nijmegen was founded in 1988.

The schola consist of the following members:

Thijs-Willem Baayen, Peter Bokhorst, Frans de Bont, Jan Ermers, Edo Fennema, Jacques Janssen, Sjef Jongen, Ruud Karsten, Koos Leemker, 

Gerard Pieters, Wil Robben, Piet Ronnes, Arno Theune, Jan Timmermans en André Weel.

Conductor: Stan Hollaardt.

Honorary members: Pater Augustinus Hollaardt O. P., Prof. Jan Bernards.

Toon Friederichs(† 2009), organist Ton Bertrand and pastor Simon Evers.

Patronage: Mgr. A. H. van Luyn S. D. B., bishop of Rotterdam.

The name 'Karolus Magnus' refers to Charlemagne, who at the time promoted the uniformity in liturgy and the spread of Gregorian chant in Western Europe; it also refers to the Emperor's city , Nijmegen, where Charlemagne often stayed in his fortress on the river Waal.

In addition the Schola maintains strong ties with the Radboud University of Nijmegen.

The Schola aims at preserving and propagating the authentic Gregorian chant as a valuable, cultural and liturgical heritage. It mainly relies on the achievements of the studies of the early-medieval manuscripts, as they were taken up in the nineteenth century by the monks of Solesmes (France) and have been continued there and at other places.

The starting-point is the semiology , the study that is concerned with the explanation of signs (neumes) as mentioned in the manuscripts at the top of the texts.These provide little accurate information about the melody, but all the more about the rhythmics that must be practised in the singing.

Beside concerts on many places in the Netherlands and programs for KRO-radio we gave concerts in Belgium (festival of Watou 1994), France (Dijon 2008, Flavigny sur Ozerain 1994, 1999, 2008 and 2009; St. Riquier 1998) Germany (Kleve 1995 and 1996; Kevelaer 1998, Aken 1998) and Italy (Rome 2002, Florence 2005, Ravenna 2005, Verona 2005).

Meanwhile three CD's and two double CD's of the Schola have been released:

1993: 'O virgo mater' with Hymns for the Virgin Mary and organ improvisations ;

1995: 'Canticum novum' with the integral Latin executiom of the fifth Sunday of Easter;

1997: 'Media vita' with hymns from the liturgy and the office in the Holy Mass for the deceased.

A remake of this CD appeared in 2009 with a booklet in Latin, Dutch and English.

2000: ‘La Divina Commedia Gregoriana’ double – CD.

A medieval, Gregorian cycle which leads us from hell through purgatory to paradise

Further information can be found on this website.

2006: IMAGES OF JESUS THROUGH (CHURCH)HISTORY: a double CD with a 40 pages booklet. Texts in Latin , Dutch and English.

If you want to give an order for a CD: