40 years of the NOF

This article has been compiled from a (shoe)box full of past issues of NOFiteiten, collected by the editor of the magazine. In the shoebox there are some issues missing, so during this journey through time there may be some gaps. This is an arbitrary selection of exploits — our English friends would call it ‘a trip down memory lane’. Coming along?

The beginning looks good, with royal approval!

“We, Juliana, by the grace of God Queen of the Netherlands, Princess of Oranje Nassau etc. etc.

In disposition of the petitions submitted in order to obtain recognition of the associations mentioned therein, contracted for less than 30 years, by approving the submitted bye-laws, we consent to and agree with these associations....”

The house lights go down. For a moment all is darkness. Then, from somewhere at the front, the sound of organ music is heard. The console is still nowhere to be seen, though.

The strains of “Come back to Sorrento” sound, and moments later the beautiful white Wurlitzer console rises slowly in a spotlight.
The organist is Arnold Loxam, instantly recognisable in his dazzling white jacket and bright red trousers!
I already knew that it was him playing because from the first few notes I recognised his signature tune “Sorrento”.
That gave me the idea of writing this piece about organists' signature tunes.

 Jaap Keizerwaard's organ was very popular and famous, especially in the 1970s under the name 'Magic Organ'.
  It was the time when more affordable electronic organs appeared in the living room.

 This 'Magic Organ' was much more advanced in terms of electronics than the organs in our living rooms. It had three manuals/keyboards.
 And it produced superior, magical sounds thanks to an enormous number of registers and other possibilities.

 The brain behind this organ was Jaap Keizerwaard.
 An electrical engineer in heart and soul who had the passion to create a special organ of his own.

 Jaap Keizerwaard sadly passed away on February 9, 2019 at the age of almost 90.