German Choirs of Fredericksburg, TX

In the previous post, we started our history notes related to the early Sängerfest events in Texas. Today, we write about the festivals that took place after the Civil War time (in the years 18870-1881) Read our notes and the included newspaper clippings. Find the answers to these questions: In which years did the choir of Fredericksburg participate in Sängerfest? When did an orchestra become part of the Sängerfest program? How much was the St. Louis orchestra paid? When did the tradition of the masschoirs start? Is there your ancestral name listed among the 1879 Sängerfest participants? How many days did the 1881 Sängerfest celebrations last? Which mean of transportation helped most Sängerfest participants get to Galveston in 1881? What was the downside of the mass event in that year?     ♪ September 1870 - the 8th Sängerfest took place in San Antonio (originally was planned in New Braunfels). German singing societies who participated in the event who came Austi...

As it has been already announced, on September 28, the German Choirs of Fredericksburg host the 2024 Sängerfest - the German Singers' League Festival. In connection to that, we are going to tell you more about the beginnings of the Texas Sängerbund and the early Sängerfest gatherings. In 1846 , the first Texas singing society was created - 8 immigrants of German background, who met under a live oak tree by the Comal River, in the colony of New Braunfels, decided to meet occasionally to sing German songs. In that way, the first German Texan singing society was created. A few years later, more singing societies came into being in the region. March 2, 1850 - Germania was founded. Around that time, the San Antonio, Sisterdale, and La Grange  singing societies were created as well.   1852 - the Deutsche Männerchor was organized in Austin.   July 4, 1853 - New Braunfel's Germania, the singers of San Antonio and Austin got together to celebrate the holiday with German son...

We are working hard getting ready for this year's Sängerfest. 

 On September 28, the German Choirs of Fredericksburg host the annual Sängerfest (Singers' Festival). In relation to that, we are going to post some history-related notes regarding the Texanisher Gebirgs Sängerbund (Texas State Association of German singing societies), past Sängerfest events, and German Choirs of Fredericksburg, Texas. 𝅘𝅥𝅯 The first post of the series is dedicated to "Concordia" , one of the oldest (non-church related) choirs (the first men's choir) of Fredericksburg, Texas. The Men's Chorus "Concordia" was organized on November 30, 1880. Its first officers were: President: Ed. Maier, Secretary: Robert Fresenius, Secretary: Treasurer: F. Koeppen, Director: Julius Hansen  March 18, 1881 - "Concordia" had 13 members. On that day, the choir became part of the Texas Choral Society. "Concordia" was the host of  Sängerfest (Singers' Festival) in 1882, 1890, and 1895.  Clipping source: Hanschke, Robert. Freie Presse ...

Our words of appreciation to the guests who visited with the Choirs and listened to our songs at the annual Herbfest event. Special kudos to all of you who were able to accompany us until the very end of the fest. The videos with our Herbfest songs are available on our Facebook and Instagram accounts.  

Our big thank you to all who came to listen to our songs on Saturday during Oktoberfest. It is always nice to feel your support!

September 25  The choirs were invited to the Heritage Assisted Living in Fredericksburg, TX, by the members of its German Club. We all enjoyed the gathering and the sing-along time. Our thank you to the German Club for the invitation!      Mr. Larry Kuhlken led the Choirs' program

Saturday, September 23 - the Choirs sang at the annual Sängerfest in New Braunfels, Texas. It was fun! Next year, the event will be hosted by the German Choirs in Fredericksburg! Photo shared by Mr. Dieter K

After the summer break, the Choirs started another singing year last Thursday.  Welcome back to the new and "old" singers! We are going to participate in the 131st Texanischer Gerbirgs Sängerfest which takes place in New Braunfels, Texas, on September 23.  This year's Sängerfest venue: McKenna Events Center, Lone Star Room, 801 W San Antonio St. New Braunfels, Texas 78130. Anyhow, new songs are being practiced. In the meantime, on our blog, another song from the last Maifest: "Was noch frisch und jung an Jahren"/ Gustav Gunsenheimer.

The annual Maifest hosted by the German Choirs of Fredericksburg has been history, already. We thank all the guests who attended it. You made the event special.    The President of Hermannsöhne Gemischter Chor introduces the song "Juchhei, dich muss ich haben!". And here is the song performed by the men's choir.    "Im Wein liegt Sonnenschein" by the ladies.   More videos/songs from Maifest 2023 on our Facebook and Instagram accounts. Nowadays, the Choirs are having the usual summer break. The singers come back to the rehearsal room on August 4.

 The song " Der fröhliche Wanderer ", known also as " Mein Vater war ein Wandersmann ", is believed to be a German folk lied, but it actually is not. Well, at least not exactly. The lyrics were written by Florenz Friedrich Sigismund (b. 1791 in Schwarzburg/d. 1877 in Blankenburg) and later adapted to more modern needs by Edith Möller. The current song tune was composed by Friedrich-Wilhelm Möller not long after WW2. In 1953/54, the song was a hit on BBC radio. "Der fröhliche Wanderer" has been translated into many languages, but we believe it sounds best in the original German version. The song is also part of the German Choirs' repertoire .

 After a well deserved break, the Choirs restart their practice meetings on February 9.

The Choirs closed the Singing Season 2022 on December 19, 2022. Here is the year in review New singers Violet , Ron , and Chris joined the Choirs. We are so pleased you sing with us! The Choirs performed at:  a funeral service 3/18 at the Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Van der Stucken Festival 04/02,  Maifest,  Fredericksburg Anniversary Ceremony 05/06, Sängerfest in San Antonio 09/24,   Oktoberfest 10/01, Herbfest 11/6, Golden Hub 12/16, Villages of Windcrest 12/19. The number of followers of our new Instagram page has been growing. Right now, it is 95 individuals and choirs from all over the world. A new Facebook page was created on March 3. Credits Sängerfest photo by Ms. Loretta Schmidt, Oktoberfest photo provided by Susi Woitalla Pharmakis .