Music society
On the occasion of Advendo Lintelo’s thirtieth anniversary, De Aaltensche Courant published the following history of the music society on 15 July 1949:
It was schoolmaster W. Hillen who took the initiative in 1919, and on 16 July that year the music society in Lintelo was born. Twenty members signed up. The first task was to find a suitable name, and so A.D.V.E.N.D.O. was chosen: Aangenaam Door Vereniging En Nuttig Door Oefening — roughly, ‘Pleasant through fellowship and useful through practice’.
Then came the most important matter: instruments had to be obtained. A collection was held and raised the respectable sum of 664 guilders. The Lintelo musicians then set to work enthusiastically under Mr Hillen’s direction. Although their first performance came to a halt part-way through, this only increased their enthusiasm for music. In 1923 Advendo appointed its second conductor, Joh. Ormel. In 1928 the great moment arrived: Advendo went to a music competition in Dinxperlo.
The members practised diligently and returned that evening with a second prize in the fourth division. In 1930 Mr Kappert became conductor. A year later D.J. Helmink of Doetinchem filled the post, which had meanwhile become vacant again. Under his direction Advendo climbed steadily higher on the musical ladder. Numerous prizes were won at various music competitions, culminating in a first prize in the Excellence division at a competition in Zelhem in the spring of 1939.
A few years earlier, in 1934, when the society’s finances were in poor shape, it was decided to hold a bazaar. R.J. van Lente in particular worked very hard for it. The whole of Lintelo helped, and the proceeds of more than 1,200 guilders drove away the financial worries. The close bond between the people of Lintelo and Advendo was again evident in 1937, when a banner was presented to the society.
During the war
When mobilisation was announced in the autumn of 1939 and several young men from Lintelo were called up for military service, Advendo fell silent for a time. Those who remained stored away their instruments, which were not brought out again until the soldiers returned in 1940. In 1943, however, activities came to a complete end when the occupying authorities made Dutch club life virtually impossible. Several members were arrested during a rehearsal. It went without saying that the silver jubilee had to be celebrated quietly. Even so, it was marked: on the threshing floor at the Veldhorst family farm, the members paused to commemorate the important anniversary.
Crescendo
After the war rehearsals resumed under Mr Helmink. The band recovered from the setback caused by the war. At Dinxperlo that year it won two first prizes and an honorary prize in the first division. At the next competition Advendo would once again compete in the Excellence division. At the time the band had 29 members. Advendo attended all competitions organised by the Christian Federation of Fanfare and Concert Bands. Since the foundation, G.J. Gussinklo, known as ‘Claus’, had been an honorary member, and R.J. van Lente had been honorary chairman since 1934.
Evening celebration
On Wednesday evening the anniversary celebration was held in the woods belonging to G.J. Gussinklo ‘Claus’. Honorary chairman R.J. van Lente gave the opening address, emphasising in particular the role of music in glorifying the name of God. A.J. Navis, known as ‘Zandbulten’, a former secretary, gave a humorous account of Advendo’s ups and downs during its first thirty years. The music society then demonstrated what it could do, performing several pieces with precision.
The main event of the evening was the play Een zwerver kwam (‘A Wanderer Came’), performed by members of the Christian Orange Association of Barlo. The play was presented extremely well, with the controlled performance of the leading actor, S. de Kok, standing out in particular. Those present were able to enjoy this fine summer evening amid beautiful natural surroundings. It is also worth mentioning that the sound system and lighting were provided to a high standard.
