Famous musician from Gennep - Prof. Nicolaas Janssen (1808–1898)
Professor Nicolaas Janssen was a well-known musician from Gennep. He lived in what was then called Kerkstraat. He was an expert in organ music and was also respected outside the Netherlands. Janssen promoted Gregorian chant, the old style of church singing. Because of this, Pope Leo XIII made him a private chamberlain.
In Gennep, people remember him as an inspiring music teacher. His most famous student was Johan Wierts (1866–1944). Wierts wrote many folk and children’s songs, including the well-known Onder moeders paraplu.
The music association Unitas et Fidelitas, founded in 1818, also benefited from Janssen’s knowledge. This music group from Gennep is one of the oldest wind bands in the Netherlands.