In the past 25 Years, the sixteen-voice-strong ASK did sing with Chief Cantor Hans Bloemendal and other internationally acclaimed cantors. In addition to religious services and ceremonies, the ASK has performed for the Dutch and Israeli governments during nationally televised events.

Western European chazzanut (cantorial music) forms the basis of the ASK's repertoire and is distinguished by its solemn, striving character. One doesn't need to know anything about Jewish liturgy or Hebrew to be able to enjoy these melodies in which belief, love and desire are so beautifully rendered.

Previous recordings of the ASK have included an earlier live recording from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw, Blessed By The Choirs of Thy People and a special service honouring the 50th anniversary of the State of Israel.

In recent Years the Choir has recorded several CD's of live concert or special occasions. The ASK has released a CD entitled "ASK 20th Anniversary Concert," recorded live on location during our Chanukah jubilee concert at the Concertgebouw, December 2004. The CD may be ordered on our website.

More recently, in 2007,  the Choir performed in a successful Concert at the former Uylenburg Synagogue. This event was recorded and is available on CD.

In a series of 3 concerts in the Years 2008/2009 we have recorded the results of our work; witch is available on CD.

Conductor

Ilia Belianko was born in St. Petersburg in 1974. From the time he took his first piano lesson at the age of five, he has continued to study the piano and has sung in many choirs.

Ilia attended the Rimsky-Korsakov Special School (College) of Music from 1982-1990, where he began studying choral conducting. After his emigration to Israel he completed his studies at the Thelma Yalin School of Arts in Tel-Aviv between 1990-1993.
A few years later Ilia began working with several choirs and orchestras as a conductor. Among the ensembles that he permanently worked with were Ma’ale Adumim Chamber Choir, Chamber Choir of the Music Academy in Jerusalem, and Jerusalem’s vocal ensemble. He also sang in the choir Philharmonia Singers and the chorus of The New Israeli Opera in Tel-Aviv. He graduated from Jerusalem Academy of Music as Orchestral Conductor in 2001.
Since 2004 Ilia Belianko lives and works in the Netherlands. In 2006 he accomplished his studies and received Diploma in Choral Conducting from Conservatorium van Amsterdam. He currently serves as chief conductor of Amsterdam’s Synagogaal Koor, Voorhout’s Kamerkoor, Klein Byzantijns Koor in Utrecht, Koninklijk Toonkunstkoor Concordia Leeuwarden, and Venloos Symfonie Orkest.
Ilia received two scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation for piano in 1990, and choral conducting in 1999. He is a Laureate of the international competition for conductors Riga 2005.

Board

The Board of the Amsterdam Synagogue Choir Foundation currently consists of Casper Filarski (President), Irwin Oppenheim (Secretary) and Jaap Roos (Treasurer).