The Golden 60s

Just like with the first edition of the Great American Songbook, composer and ‘pop professor’ Jeroen D’hoe works his magic with a selection of top songs from the expansive Songbook: The Next Generation repertoire. The result is a delightful evening filled with timeless classics like I Say a Little Prayer, A Natural Woman, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, all presented in a fresh vocal and orchestral arrangement!

"A passion project," he says with a big smile. But what exactly defines The Next Generation? What is it about this music that makes it timeless, and what makes these songs so iconic?

THE NEXT GENERATION

Let’s start at the beginning: The Great American Songbook, ‘the original’. It’s not just a concept but a literal collection: a body of songs written for American theater and the film industry between 1920 and 1950. Over time, these songs evolved into the ‘standards’ we know today.

By the mid-1950s, popular music trends began to shift, making way for rock-'n'-roll and soul. These emerging genres spurred The Great American Songbook into a new era—the soundtrack of the '50s and '60s. Composers like Burt Bacharach became central figures of this Next Generation, blending the classical structures of Cole Porter and Gershwin (the first generation) with fresh influences.

FABULOUS ‘50s and GOLDEN ‘60s

America in the 1950s and ’60s was a time of post-war optimism and progress. One of the era’s defining symbols was the vinyl record. While early versions of LPs existed in the ’20s and ’40s, they were mainly for the elite. After World War II, that changed drastically. Records became affordable and accessible—music transformed into a tangible product you could truly ‘own’ for the first time. Even a teenager with pocket money could buy a Bill Haley single.

Surprisingly, teenagers had a major influence on the music industry. Their culture was filled with optimism, and that spirit resonated in the music. Songs like Feeling Good, Fever, Sunny, and Ain’t No Mountain High Enough capture the hope and energy of post-war reconstruction. Female empowerment also took center stage, with Aretha Franklin leading the way through songs like You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman.

“These songs are true earworms—listen to them once, and you’re hooked. They work on two levels: the melody and the lyrics.”

- jeroen d’hoe

A passion project

Working on Great American Songbook: The Next Generation is a perfect match for Jeroen D’hoe: “Music from the '50s and '60s has always been close to my heart; I've loved it ever since I was a little kid." However, reinventing well-known songs is never an easy task for an arranger. His approach? A big band-inspired ensemble featuring strings, brass, percussion, and piano, paired with the powerful voices of the Flemish Radio Choir. And, of course, drawing inspiration from the original songs: “I’m deeply inspired by the richness of the chords and the emotional depth of the lyrics.”

The arrangements spotlight classic jazz and soul influences—think close harmony and gospel vibes. “The choir becomes a ‘vocal big band,’” Jeroen explains. “It’s a rewarding challenge because the Flemish Radio Choir’s technical abilities mean they can sing virtually anything!”

One standout in the program is I Am Home, a song Jeroen wrote as a teenager. With lyrics by American songwriter Marvin Garvin and in the style of Burt Bacharach, it tells the story of someone finding love and finally finding a sense of home after years of searching. “It feels like it could have been written in that era,” he says.

Furthermore, the program is packed with classics. Does Jeroen have a favorite? “It’s hard to pick just one, but Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head and Arthur’s Theme are truly timeless.”