The Continentals (choir)
The Continentals is the world's largest gospel choir movement.
They have performed on every continent and made guest appearances in over 80 countries. So far they have toured over 1,500 times, given over 25,000 concerts and thus reached over ten million visitors. To date, they have produced more than 100 different albums in 25 languages. In Europe they work with the Christian. Aid organization " World Vision " together.
Today about 20 groups tour the United States, Latin America, Africa, Europe, Japan and Korea every year. In Europe and the USA, the artists are now divided into four age groups, each of which has its own program tailored to the respective target group of visitors. There are the Continental Kids (8–12 years), the Young Continentals (13–16 years), the Continental Singers (16–35 years) and the Encore Continentals (21–55) years.
In almost all European countries there are so-called country coordinators and z. Some of their own national singing groups. Today, more than 20 European groups are trained annually by the Dutch headquarters and, in cooperation with the country coordinators, they are placed in all European countries.
Continentals in Germany and worldwide
In 1963 the founder, Cam Floria, started the Continentals with a Christian choir group in the east of the USA.
In 1967 they went to a singing competition in the west and won it. Their name came about during the trip as they gave many concerts along the way. Along the way, they brought contemporary Christian music to churches and parishes. Several groups soon appeared in the USA and Europe, and this is how Continental Ministries, the largest Christian choral music movement to date, came into being. Soon after, upon invitation, they visited the Netherlands and Germany.
1969–1970 Leen la Riviére opens a Dutch concert office for the Continentals (from the USA) in Rotterdam . Later he founded the choir "Diciples", this became the starting point for the Dutch and later European Continentals work.
In 1969, the US Continentals made their concert debut in Germany in front of 7,000 visitors on the Berlin Waldbühne .
1977 Inspired by the concert in Berlin, Gerhard Bachor began arranging concerts for the American Continentals in Germany. The first appearances took place in Seeheim-Jugenheim and in Schaafheim / Odenw. instead of. After about two years there was a fruitful collaboration with the concert agency "Continental Sound" (NL), which continues to this day. In the first few years only Continentals from the USA performed in Germany and in the former GDR there was soon a secret coordinator, Hartmut Stiegler, who made appearances in East Germany. After the fall of the Berlin Wall , Gerhard Bachor took over coordination for all of Germany.
In 1985 Leen la Riviére founded the Dutch concert agency "Continental Sound" and the first continentals group was born: the "Internationale Continentals", with young people from all over Europe. From now on they were trained in the Netherlands and then toured many European countries.
In 2002 the first Continental Kids group toured Saxony. Bus drivers, equipment and the program came from the Netherlands. Tour guide, choir director, casting and coordination were provided or taken over by the Christian Artists - Continentals Deutschland eV association (which was founded by former Continentals).
Some Continentals groups are on tour with a band or orchestra. After the casting and professional training in the Netherlands, the European groups start on a two to three week tour through Europe. The special thing about the groups is that none of the participants receive a fee. You pay part of the costs out of pocket.
In 2007 the Continentals were in Africa for the first time; in Kenya in spring and in Nigeria in summer. A special highlight was the sending of two Continental Worship groups to the USA. 4–6 very good singers and 4–6 very good instrumentalists each formed a new praise and worship band. After the big tours in the summer, the big anniversary party of the Continentals in Los Angeles rose to mark the 40th anniversary of their work. From 17th to 19th August 2007 at the Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim California / USA, guests from all over the world and many alumni attended. In total, there were more than 60,000 former Continentals by 2007. Well-known artists and speakers from the USA designed the supporting program.
Former Continentals
The musical careers of stars like Amy Grant , Sandy Patty and Cae Gauntt began with the Continentals. In Europe several hundred choirs have emerged through the work of the Continentals. To this day, the Continentals work with songwriters and performers such as Steven Curtis Chapman .
Groups in Europe
Training through the European office in Rotterdam
4 English-speaking Continentals groups
1 English-German Continentals Orchestra
1 Francophone Continentals group
1 Dutch Continentals (Discipel)
2 English-speaking Young Continentals
1 English-German Continentals group
1 English-German Young Continental group
2 English-speaking Continental Encores
7 Dutch Continental Kids groups
1 German Continental Kids group
Training through the Slovakia office
- 1 Slovak Continentals group
- 1 Slovak Young Continentals group
Training through the Italy office
- 1 Italian Continentals group
Training through the Romania office
- 1 Romanian Continentals group
Training through the Hungary office
- 1 Hungarian Continentals group
Training through the UK office
- 3 English Continentals groups
- 1 English Young Continentals group
Discography
- 2015 "Worship the great I AM" (Continentals)
- "God is my wonderful councelor ..." (Young Continentals)
- 2014 "Connection" (Continentals)
- "Re: Connection" (Young Continentals)
- 2013 "up to you" (Continentals)
- "Acts 29" (Young Continentals)
- 2012 "Mercy Matters" (Continentals)
- "All Power" (Young Continentals)
- 2011 "Trails of Trust" (Continentals)
- "by your side" (Young Continentals)
- 2010 "Voices of Faith" (Continentals)
- "up with faith" (Young Continentals)
- 2009 "Salvation = Hope" (Continentals)
- "Signs of Salvation" (Young Continentals)
- 2008 "NEW BEGINNINGS" (Continentals)
- "Go on" (Young Continentals)
- 2007 "All over the World - Everywhere in the world" (Continentals)
- "SERIOUS" (Young Continentals)
- 2006 "Reality check" (Continentals)
- "Dare 2 check" (Young Continentals)
- "Jabulani Africa (Best of)" (Continentals)
- 2005 "Committed to the call" (Continentals)
- "Committed" (Young Continentals)
- 2004 "Airborne" (Continentals)
- "Higher Purpose" (Young Continentals)
- "Blessed are the merciful" (Continentals, double CD)
- 2003 "The reason of Christmas" (Continentals)
- "XP3" (Continentals)
- "Extreme" (Young Continentals)
- "Power" (Continental Kids)
- 2002 "Live it up" (A Celebration of 35 Years)
- "The Reason of Christmas"
- The Continental Gospel Choir
- 2001 The Grace Odyssey
- Praise & Worship (classics)
- Choice (Young Continentals)
- 2000 Testify 2 Truth
- 1999 Mission of Love
- Praise his Name (Instrumental)
- 1998 Songs for Kids (Kids)
- Give ém Hope (Young)
- DAVID (The epoch story of David)
- Hop for Europe and beyond
- 1997 Reachin 'out
- O Come All Ye Faithfull
- 1996 On the Frontlines. . Faith in Motion
- 1995 Get a Life (Young)
- The best of the Continentals - Volume III
- 1994 Dreamer: The epoch story of Joseph
- 1993 Choose right (Young)
- Stand up, move out
- 1992 Yes! Let's Go (A Celebration of 25 Years)
- 1991 Set them free
- True Friends (Young)
- 1990 Hold up the light
- 1989 Come bless the Lord with Singing
- 1988 The best of the Continentals - Volume II
- The best of the Continentals - Volume I.
- The reason we sing
- 1987 Elijah: A young musical about the Power of Prayer
- 1986 All over the World
- 1985 Together we will stand
- 1984 O Come all ye faithful
- 1983 Come love the Lord
- Dreamer: What really happened to Joseph
- 1982 Continental Country
- 1981 Come trust the Lord
- The sky shall unfold
- 1980 ... And there was Light
- 1979 Come praise & bless
- 1978 Sing it with Love
- 1977 Come bless the Lord
- 1976 Majesty & Glory
- 1975 I believe in heaven
- 1973 The Apostle
- 1972 It's getting late (For The Great Planet Earth)
- Look inside