ELORA – Dutch residents and the “Dutch at heart” enjoyed some sounds of their home country on June 15 at Knox Presbyterian Church in Elora. A men’s ensemble from the fishing town of Urk, in the Netherlands, visited the area for a concert of song, piano and organ music. The ensemble, under the name Urker Mans Formation, is directed by Martin Mans and accompanied by pianist/organist Mark Brandwijk. The group sang a mix of traditional and more lighthearted songs, both in Dutch and English, including hymns and psalms known to the Reformed Churches in the area. The impressive 12 singers, including tenors, baritones and basses, were dressed in red and white striped shirts and black pants, traditional for their hometown of Urk. The men’s ensemble also performed in Hamilton and Woodstock over the weekend before returning home to Holland.
