Text and image Sharon Singh
PARAMARIBO – Singer, choir conductor and music teacher Mavis Noordwijk took center stage on Monday during the benefit concert ‘We Love Mavis’ in the Sint Rosa Church. The evening, organized by friends and colleagues, presented a program that clearly touched both musicians and the audience. “It was a wonderful concert,” says Siegmien Staphorst, chairman of the Naks cultural association. “Every part had something special. My personal favorite was Swit’ Kopro Firi led by Roy Lieuw On.”
The brass section of that ensemble brought the audience into a nostalgic atmosphere with songs such as ‘The Prayer’, ‘Always on My Mind’ and especially ‘Cherry Apple Blossom’, to which people moved happily in their seats. The performance created a pleasant atmosphere in the church during Easter Monday. People could hardly sit still in their chairs. Unfortunately, no one dared to get up and throw their legs away. “The performances were beautiful,” Staphorst adds. According to her, Noordwijk is an icon: in the field of singing, as an orchestra leader and as a conductor. The concert showed how much appreciation musicians have for her.
Icon calendar
In 2020, Mavis was included in the Naks Icons Calendar, in which Surinamese icons are honored. This year the tenth edition of that calendar will be published, with a total of 120 people from Suriname who have contributed to the development of the country.
Concert visitor Rene Rodriguez was also enthusiastic: “They were top performances, from the children to the adults. It is great to see that schools are committed to educating children musically. The children especially moved me, I hope they get more opportunities to grow.”
The purpose of the benefit concert was also practical: Noordwijk will soon need knee surgery. The insurance only covers part of the costs for the prosthesis and rehabilitation. “The concert should help to cover the costs,” explains Palema Groenveld, who is involved in the organization.
Initiator Nadia van Genderen set up the event as support for her friend Mavis. All the artists who performed have a connection with her. The musical program was provided by, among others, Swit’ Kopro Firi and an ensemble with Jim Westfa, Marcel Balsemhof, Wilgo Telting, Kenneth Muringen and Sonny Khoeblal. Choirs that sang: Harmonie Men’s Choir, Children in Christ Choir, God Singing Angels and Music&Me.
‘I have always taught’
Noordwijk sounds enthusiastic on the phone. “The concert was fantastic and I am grateful that so many artists were willing to contribute on this evening.” To her surprise, she says, “I’m a little tired, I’ve been out all day.”
In six weeks she will turn 82. According to the figures, she has been an educator for 45 years, but Noordwijk corrects: “No, I have been teaching all my life.” She says that her grandmother saw at an early age that she would become a teacher. “I always played school as a child. When I graduated from the Zwolle Conservatory in the Netherlands, my grandmother said that she always knew what I would become. As a child I always said: ‘let’s play school’ and the older people listened to me. My grandmother was right.” So far she enjoys teaching. “It’s the nature of the beast,” she explains, laughing.
A second benefit concert is planned for May. A biography about Mavis Noordwijk is also being worked on. There is currently a crowdfunding campaign, led by Chandra van Binnendijk, to write the biography.
