Farewell concert Mixed Choir The Bell Founders

Mixed Choir De Klokkengieters from Aarle-Rixtel is calling it quits, after 124 years. At the recently held members' meeting, the members came to this decision. Membership is steadily declining, making it increasingly difficult to fill the various voices. On 19 March at 3 p.m. in Aarle-Rixtel's Onze Lieve Vrouw Presentation church, Mixed Choir De Klokkengieters will be heard for the last time at its farewell concert, to which everyone is cordially invited.

The starting date of 'Liederentafel de Klokkengieters van 1660' was on 26 October 1899. Four notables from Aarle-Rixtel thought it was high time to establish a men's choir. One of the co-founders and also the first conductor was Louis Houët, who conducted the choir for 50 years. Alex Fritsen (director of Bell Foundry Petit & Fritsen) became patron. In 1949, Hein Houët (Louis' son) took over the baton. On the occasion of a priest's feast, the time was ripe to admit ladies too, and so 'Mixed Choir De Klokkengieters' came into being on 7 October 1951. With Hein Houët as the new conductor, the repertoire also changed. Operettas were performed, as well as variety shows. In 1965, Hein Houët quit as conductor and Kees van Houten took his place until 1967.

From 1967 to 1976, Jan Heesakkers is the conductor of De Klokkengieters. On the occasion of its 70th anniversary in 1969, the choir organised a National Singing Competition for the first time, in which 26 choirs participated. Due to its great success, this singing competition was organised every five years until its 100th anniversary and became an International Singing Competition. 

On the occasion of the 75th anniversary, an LP is released. Conductor Gerard van de Pas (1976-1986) gave the choir a taste of shorter French and Danish works, and his preference was more towards a cappella works. 

In 1986, Rob Rassaerts took over the baton from Gerard. He chose two main emphases. Church music, as the choir conducted the services on high days, and secular works for variety. To the traditional Christmas concerts, performed at home and abroad, passion concerts were now added. For many years, choir member Margot Pagels has performed as a soloist at the various concerts.

In February 2018, Jan van de Beek became the new conductor and Rob Rassaerts the permanent accompanist. Unfortunately, in 2020 corona threw a spanner in the works and rehearsals could not be held for almost two years. At the new start-up in March 2022, some members decided to quit the choir, which did not help the distribution of voices. With pain in their hearts, the members decided to quit after 124 years.