Joseph and Angel make ‘their’ musicians shine with pride and vice versa

Together they have been accompanying a drum band for people with a mental or physical disability for more than thirty years. Joseph Pennings from Helvoirt and Angel de Nijs from Kaatsheuvel: every Sunday they rehearse with ‘their’ drum band Maurits. They also perform regularly. The band makes them shine with pride and vice versa, which is why they have been nominated for the title Brabander of the Year.

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Conductor Joseph counts down. And then the members of drum band Maurits happily go about it. The fact that not everyone plays exactly in time is not a problem within this band. It’s mainly about having fun together. All members have a mental or physical disability. “It is a very special and fun club,” says Joseph with a smile. “Every Sunday we make music together.”

Joseph has been accompanying the musicians for 38 years. “I had been in other percussion groups, but this was something completely new,” he says. “The first time I was here, I immediately got an arm around my neck and a big hug. Then I was immediately sold.”

A few years later Angel also joined the band. First as a supervisor, later she became president of the club. “My mother-in-law had heard that they were looking for people to guide the band members. She thought I could do that because I was with the majorettes. But I had never had music lessons and I couldn’t even read music.”

Still, Angel decides to help. And just like Joseph, she immediately falls in love with the band: “The other accompanists helped me and now I can play everything.”

Joseph and Angel never miss a weekend. And the band members are very happy with that. Marian stops playing her tambourine for a moment when we ask her what she thinks of Joseph and Angel. “They always help us,” she says with a big smile. “I think that’s really great gooi.” Fellow band member Stefan gives a thumbs up. “It’s very special, really nice.”

Making music with people with an intellectual disability is a challenge. “It’s mainly a lot of repetition,” Angel explains. “We first learn the pieces ourselves and then we teach the band.”

The band members not only rehearse, they also perform regularly. And Joseph perhaps thinks that is the most beautiful thing. “It’s great fun to show what these musicians can do, what they achieve.” Angel is also beaming with pride. “It’s so nice to see those happy faces. Sometimes I don’t feel like it for a weekend. But then I come here and I get a hug or a drawing. And then I think, this is why I do it.”