De Rainbow Gospel Singers

Who are the Rainbow Gospel Singers?

This is a select group of between 15 – 25 singers and soloists from the Dutch Combined Mass choir.

Who are the Dutch Combined Mass Choir?

The Dutch Combined Mass choir (D.C.M.C.) comprises 4 Choirs with a total of 600 members including:

• Friendship Gospel Choir, Soest
• Life Line Gospel Choir, Katwijk aan Zee
• Freedom Gospel Choir, Zwolle
• New Land Gospel Choir

What kind of music?

Our kind of music is well known as Black American Gospel Music. This 'swinging' sort of music is traditionally from African-American Churches and is becoming enormously popular in the Netherlands. It showcases all kind of music styles; jazz, blues, rock, funk and reggae. From acapella to multi-instrumental backup, from the very touching and soulful to the full blown, expressive, from the solo to the multi-voiced. We always perform live with our own professional band.

Who is the choir – director?

Choir director Edith Casteleyn leads the Rainbow Gospel Singers. She has years of experience as choir director with our African American brothers and sisters. She worked the United States Air force for more than 14 year in America and Europe as piano player and choir director at church services and festivals. Edith also gives gospel music workshops in Europe, America and Africa.

Workshops

These normally take a week, for example: Tuesday, Thursday evenings and a Saturday afternoon and a showcase concert on the Saturday evening About 15 Black American Gospel songs are studied and rehearsed and performed during the concert. A wonderful experience!!!

Where do we perform?

Through the years, the Rainbow Gospel Singers have performed not only in churches, but also at special events like, gospel festivals, jazz fairs, multicultural festivals , national and international company events, radio and television. We have also supported programmes of well-known artistes like Lee Towers, performing for 10 days in the New Luxor Theatre.

Reviews:

Portia Maultsby, a professor from Indiana America appeared on a VPRO television programme “Reiziger in muziek” (now Vrije Geluiden). She is involved in carrying out a research on black music in the Netherlands and in other European countries along with students of the University of Utrecht. The focus was on popular music. The CD “Keep the Faith” by the D.C.M.C. was the subject of discussion. Portia Maultsby said, "I am really impressed by what the choir, band and Edith Casteleyn have achieved. Edith knows exactly how to bring across the nuances that are important in Black American Gospel music. It is quite difficult to bring across the essence of this sort of music. I am absolutely surprised about the choir’s understanding and grasp. It is difficult to ‘import, this feeling and make it personal". Han Reiziger responded “Are these Dutch people singing? It sounds so American. It is unbelievable! It sounds so authentic African American!" Since then, a new CD has been recently released, titled "Oh Happy day"

What are the costs of performing at a concert?

That depends on the location, the purpose, the timing, the duration of the Concert and the availability of the band.

How long is the concert?

This can be discussed. The length of the songs depends on the rapport between the audience and the choir. We don not sing verbatim from sheet music and cannot know exactly how long a song is. The choice of songs, the repertoire and the form the performance takes is up to the choir director.

How big is the band?

The band comprises the following instruments: piano, drums and bass guitar. The band can however be expanded to include a keyboard and lead guitar.

Weddings:

The Rainbow Gospel Singers also regularly get invited for musical support at weddings and marriage blessing ceremonies. Firstly, requirements of the couple will be discussed, with respect to the programme as well as suggestions from the choir director. There is also the possibility of forming a smaller group with just the piano and a few singers. It all depends on what is required.

What are the requirements?

• Adequate dressing room facilities for the choir members, band and choir
• The venue must be available for setting up of instruments, sound equipments and sound check at least 2 hours before the performance.
• Sound amplification for the venue must be arranged.
• Adequate monitor speakers must be made available for the choir, band, soloists and the choir director.
• Microphones for the band, 2 soloists, choir director and the choir. The audio equipment can also be arranged through Edith Casteleyn.

How to book?

Call us at Gospel Notes Production telephone number 035 – 6011108 or 06 22370712. Or alternatively by e-mail atCasteleyn@zonnet.nl.

See you there!!