New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir

The New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir was invited to perform at the Harlem Meer in the northeast corner of Central Park to celebrate the donation of 50,000 tulips to New York. This high profile event was filmed for Dutch television and was attended by local and foreign VIPs... (See a slide show of the event)

“The 400th anniversary of the founding of New Amsterdam is an opportunity for us to join with our partners in the Netherlands to celebrate our city’s heritage. These beautiful flowers will enliven our green spaces in 2009,” Commissioner Benepe said. Seeing the choir assembled beside him, Benepe digressed from his prepared remarks to explain the significance of the Dutch symbols on the flag of the City of New York.

The choir sang a traditional Dutch song, “Tulips from Amsterdam.” Many of the invited guests, including officials and supporters from the Netherlands, linked arms and swayed to the choir’s spirited rendition of the familiar tune.

One member of the choir, a sixth grade girl from Esperanza Preparatory Academy, said, “I was a little nervous when we sang. I was thinking I would forget the words. I felt proud when they applauded.” Her classmate echoed, “I don’t like to sing in front of people. I was shy at first, but now I feel confident.”

“It is important that we reach out to students of Harlem and New York so that they can learn about Dutch freedoms, liberties, and common values that were founded during the early years of New Amsterdam,” said Trust President De Young.

New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir members were joined by students from two new in-school initiatives sponsored by the choir. Students of two East Harlem middle schools performed in their school uniforms alongside NABGC members. “The children were enthusiastic,” said choir director James Backmon. “They looked forward to the experience all week. They sang with commitment and focus. The audience was impressed and appreciative of the children being part of the experience.”

The highlight of the event was after the performance when the choir members were handed tulip bulbs and spades and invited to plant the tulips beside the Harlem Meer in the northeast corner of Central Park. Commissioner Benepe demonstrated the planting technique and then kneeled down in the dirt with the children. All who attended look forward to returning in April to see them sprout and bloom. The children will have an opportunity to see how they helped to beautify a corner of their neighborhood.

The occasion might be summed up by another New Amsterdam Boys and Girls Choir member: “It was a special moment for Old Amsterdam and a special moment for us.”