The Christian Music Association Orange from Assen received the Royal Medal of Honor from the King’s Commissioner, Jetta Klijnsma, this evening. The association receives the medal because of the 100th anniversary and because of the special place that the association occupies in Assen and the surrounding area.
A group of musicians gathered in 1922 after a call in the Asser Kerkbode. The conductor selected twenty people from that group who together formed the Oranje music association. In the beginning it mainly consisted of trial and error, whereby the association was not active at all during the war, the musical heyday presented itself in the sixties.
In 1952, the association took part in the national top competition for the first time in its existence on behalf of Drenthe. In 1969 the association reached the highest musical level: the Vaandel Department.
According to the province, CMV Oranje distinguishes itself by being accessible to anyone who wants to make music, such as people with a mental or physical disability. The association also has its own training for youth. They even employ teachers for this.
CMV Oranje annually contributes to the Remembrance Day on May 4 in Assen and they can be heard during King’s Day at the Koopmansplein in Assen. In addition, they make a musical contribution to church services and organize concerts themselves, such as the annual spring concert in Podium Zuidhaege in Assen.
The association celebrated their 100th anniversary today in the Bonte Wever.