When the Royal Choral Society Venlona was founded on 20 August 1900 nobody could have expected the great future that was to lie ahead of this choir. Willy Geyr, at the time organist of Saint Martin's Church in Venlo, together with some other people, took the initiative to found a male choir in Venlo. At the inaugural meeting 47 people spontaneously applied for membership and at the first concert, conducted by Willy Geyr on 13 February 1901, 115 persons had joined the choir. From the very beginning Venlona has very successfully aimed at playing a leading part among male choirs. Immediately after the foundation the choir succeeded in acquiring an important place in the social community of Venlo. In 1931 its national reputation was confirmed when the title “Royal” was granted

The choir became both nationally and internationally famous. Within a year after its foundation Venlona took part in a competition and won the third prize. The whole city turned out to welcome the singers after this unexpected success. Hardly two years later the choir gave a superb performance at an international singing competition at Arnhem resulting in the first prize in the highest category and Willy Geyr won the prize for the best conductor.

During the Second World War Venlona went underground. At a short general meeting there was only one item on the agenda: is Venlona willing to comply with the German demand to become a member of the notorious "Kulturkammer"? Within 5 minutes the members unanimously decided to turn down this demand and they all rose and sang the national anthem, although this was forbidden by the German authorities. A very active underground circuit gradually developed to maintain mutual close relationships among the members. Immediately after the war Venlona, conducted by Hein Jordans, gave its first concert on the ruins of the city.

Many concerts all over the country were unforgettable events for the very enthusiastic audiences. “Venlona” also performed at the famous World Music Competition at Kerkrade, thus acquiring an outstanding reputation. Abroad too, music lovers appreciate the high musical level of the choir. In 1980 “Venlona” attained the highest score at the international song competition at Baden, near Vienna, which impressed the international music world. “Venlona” has performed in many places in Belgium, Germany, Latvia, Italy, Austria and Switzerland. In the spring of 2001 the choir payed a visit to Rome where they performed during a Holy Mass at Saint Peter's. →

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