MUSCAT – One of the greatest moments of world whistling champion Geert Chatrou’s whistling career, includes his performances in Oman: when he performed at the opening ceremony of the 10th Muscat International Film Festival (MIFF) in 2018 and the second, more recently, at the charity dinner in favour of the Children First Association as part of Prabhu Deva’s dance ‘Bash.
Geert, 56, was replying to queries posed by the Black & White magazine. When asked what were the greatest moments of his whistling career, he had no hesitation in putting his performances in Oman in that elite list.
“Winning the first world title because that started off a new life for me Whistling in the movie, Le Petit Nicholas, was a highlight. Being featured in the documentary ’Pucker Up, The Fine Art of Whistling’ by Kate Davis and David Heilbroner was also a highlight,” he said.
“Whistling for the Queen and later also for the King of the Netherlands was special. Playing in the Royal Albert Hall with the circus was again one among the many greatest moments of my career And of course whistling in Oman,” he added.
Whistling at charity dinner
Geert whistled many a fine tune regaling diners at the charity dinner for Children First Association, held at the lawns of the W Muscat, recently. He was the sole performer at the dinner, after which he caught a flight back to Spain.
Impossible to teach
Although he is a world-renowned professional whistler, his ardent love for whistling makes him feel like it is still a hobby, and getting paid for it is “like a privilege”.
However, whistling, he notes, “is impossible to teach”.
EXCERPTS:
When did you first start whistling and what was the reason that you began to whistle? How did you learn to whistle? Was there anyone whistling in your family? What was the inspiration; who taught you? Was it tough to learn to whistle?
I started whistling just for fun when I was four. My dad was always whistling around the house and I just started to imitate him, like young boys do with their fathers. For some reason, it wasn’t hard for me, I just started to try and soon I could make melodies. I enjoyed it and so I kept on doing it.
How did you take it up in the later years and when did you realise that you had a real talent for whistling?
Growing up I started playing other musical instruments like the recorder, flute, saxophone and oboe. But I always preferred to whistle. I heard people telling me that my whistling was very good but at the same time no one really paid attention to it – whistling was just part of me.
Did you take whistling as a hobby at first, or as a profession itself? Is it easy to teach someone how to whistle, or is it very tough?
Whistling still feels like a hobby for me. What I mean is I still love doing it. And, getting paid for it feels like it is a privilege. I get questions to teach whistling a lot from all over the world. But it is very hard to explain what’s going on in my throat and mouth. So, didactically I have no words to explain which means it is impossible to teach.
At what age did you decide to become a professional? And since how many years are you a professional?
In 2003, I was at a Christmas party and I was whistling along with the music that was playing on a disk. My sister-in-law asked me several times to stop whistling but it is hard for me to stop whistling especially when I hear music. So, even though I knew my whistling was actually annoying the rest of the family at the party, I just couldn’t stop. At some point, I randomly said that if there were to be a whistling competition I would readily participate.
Somehow, my sister-in-law remembered that and two weeks later I received a text message from her that I was going to America. I had no clue what she was talking about so I rang her up and she informed me that she had entered me for the world championships in whistling in Louisburg, North Carolina, in the United States. I won that championship and the rest is history. That’s how I started off as a professional whistler.
What other work did you do besides being a whistler? Was it easy to juggle two jobs at the same time – for instance the job you must have been doing and your whistling profession?
When I first went to the championships I was working as a nurse in psychiatry and had a side job as a teacher in a nursing school. I have also been a bell tuner at a famous bell foundry in the Netherlands, Royal Eijsbouts. Now I work in a Cirque du Soleil show as a character/musician.
Are/were you able to support yourself and your family by taking professional whistling assignments?
Now, yes. In the past, when I had just started my whistling career, it was harder. There were three mouths to feed and a mortgage to pay. So, in the beginning I did my concerts and also worked as a part-time nurse.
You have won in the International Whistlers Convention (IWC) in 2004, 2005 and 2008. What are the other awards you have won for whistling?
I have won the performer of the year award a couple of times and I was also awarded the title of ‘member’ in the Whistling Hall of Fame.
How many movies have you whistled for?
My whistling has been used in maybe 10 movies. I am not sure of this number, though. The movie my whistling is most featured in is Le Petit Nicholas. The music for this film was composed by Klaus Badelt.
What does it feel like to be a whistler today? What are your aims, desires and dreams in the realm of whistling?
I love being a whistler! My aim is to entertain and surprise people with whistling, pushing it to a level that it is really considered to be an instrument. And, I sincerely believe that it is. It would be a dream come true if, one day, whistling is considered to be an official instrument at conservatories.
Does whistling get better with age?
No, I don’t think so. Generally speaking, I think the understanding of music grows with the years. But ability stops at a certain point.
And, when you look back, what were the greatest moments of your whistling career?
Winning the first world title because that started off a new life for me. Whistling in the above movie – Le Petit Nicholas – was a highlight. Being featured in the documentary, ‘Pucker Up, The Fine Art of Whistling’ by Kate Davis/David Heilbroner was again a highlight. Whistling for the Queen and later also for the King of the Netherlands was special, so was playing in the Royal Albert Hall with the circus. And of course, whistling in Oman.
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