What do the Anna Maria Island Concert Chorus & Orchestra, an Island Valentine and a 60th Wedding Anniversary have in common? The answer is not so simple but definitely heartwarming. Willem and Mathilda Bartelsman retired to Holmes Beach in 1987 from Holland where they had a long and happy marriage and career. Initially they started inviting music lovers to their home on Holmes Beach to make music socially. With Willem's passion for music, a vision of a community orchestra on the Island and Mathilda's unlimited moral support and gentle constraint, he organized the Anna Maria Island Orchestra in 1992 and shortly thereafter added the chorus. When not playing the oboe (Willem had played the oboe since 1942), both Willem and Mathilda sang in the chorus. To promote the Island ensemble Willem solicited donors, publicized upcoming concerts and sold advertising to meet the early expenses. Willem could be seen all over the Island riding his bicycle to distribute posters and flyers, no doubt backed by Mathilda's patience and understanding.

AMICCO is privileged to honor our founder, Willem Bartelsman and Mrs. Mathilda Bartelsman on the occasion of their 60th Wedding Anniversary. We are dedicating the February 13, 2011 Anna Maria Island Chorus & Orchestra concert to this wonderful couple as a Valentine gift to them and to all the residents of Anna Maria Island who have so faithfully supported and helped realize the Bartelsmans' dream of a thriving chorus and orchestra on the Island.