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Sterling Heights In keeping with
its long standing tradition the Schwäbischer Männerchor will perform yet
another spring concert. Before disclosing the event details, I would like to
provide the reader with some background information about the choir.
As
most of you regular readers of the Wochen-Post know, the Schwäbischer
Männerchor comprises of amateur singers who love to sing traditional choir
music.
Given the choir's name and purpose to upkeep and promote German songs and
German culture, it should come as no surprise that a significant portion of
the repertoire of the group are German songs. And the choir proudly shares
these songs with the community by performing concerts at various locations
throughout the seasons.
The choir considers itself very lucky to be under the musical direction of
Erwin Aufdemberge. Aside from his outstanding musical credentials, Erwin has
also a tremendous amount of energy and very well balanced interpersonal
skills to keep the group focused on the task at hand, namely, to make the
singers sing their musical parts as cleanly as they possibly can.
The choir rehearses weekly to learn new songs and practice continuously for
the various performances throughout the year.
In
addition to the musical bond among the choir members there is also a good
portion of Gemütlichkeit" at work. (Gemütlichkeit translates loosely into
something like coziness or sociability among fellows). One indication of the
strong fellowship among the singers is that a remarkably large number of the
members stay at the Rehearsal Hall for an extended period after the weekly
rehearsals. While the rehearsals usually start at 8:00 PM and end at 9:30PM,
some members are known to be still at the Rehearsal Hall several hours later
- and all of that voluntarily! Most every member tends to stay over for a
little while to refuel on the latest gossip and have a genuinely good time
with fellow singers.
A
recently introduced social as well as educational activity of the choir is
that members of the choir alternate in telling the rest of the group about
their hobbies or work life, immediately following the end of rehearsal.
These presentations are usually made the more interesting by showing-off
items or hardware which relates to the work or hobby being presented. And
judging by the great attention paid and also many questions asked, it
definitely shows that the fellow singers have a great deal of interest in
what other members are doing either out of personal interest or in their
work-lives.
Now that the reader has a bit of background information about the choir's
activities, musically and otherwise, let's move on to the details of the
upcoming Spring Concert itself: The performance will take place on Saturday
April 1st, 2006 at the Carpathia Hall in Sterling Heights. The actual
concert will start at 7:30 PM.
The selection of songs to be performed is much geared towards synchronizing
our spirits with the renewal and reawakening of nature itself.
The musical program includes an interesting selection of songs, ranging from
easy sounding tunes such as Schützenlied" or Ein Jäger aus Kurpfalz" to
pieces with more complex harmony and rhythm such as Trumpet Song", Einkehr"
or Loch Lomond" all the way to the challenging and tension-loaded Sturm an
der Nordsee". All said, I suggest it will be well worth to visit this
concert to fuel-up on the spirit of spring!
The Schwäbischer Männerchor is proud to be joined by The Lutheran
Choralaires who will undoubtedly enhance the overall performance.
The doors to Carpathia Hall will open by 5:30 with dinner service (optional)
starting at 6:00 PM.
After the Concert there will also be entertainment and dance music,
presented by the band Spaß".
Further Information and Tickets can be obtained by calling either Dave Bohde
at (586) 939-0133 or Frank Milner at (586) 875-4830.
All you folks with internet access can also go to the website of the German
American Cultural Center at www.germanamerican metrodetroit.org and follow
the Spring Concert link to obtain more detailed information.
The Schwäbischer Männerchor feels greatly honored by every guest who graces
the choir by visiting the Spring Concert.
Lieder Froh,
Herbert Gruber |
