German Choirs of Fredericksburg, TX

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

The Choirs are enjoying the summer break. In the meantime, a recollection of this year's Maifest. "The Yellow Rose of Texas" is one of Texas traditional favorites and also one of very few songs that the Choirs sing in English. The song dates back to the 1850s.

 "What A Friend We Have in Jesus", translated into German by A. Flamman ( "Welch ein treuer Freund ist Jesus ), is part of the Choirs' repertoire. The post we share, brings information about the hymn lyrics' author. Did you know it all? 𝅘𝅥𝅮 Joseph Medicott Scriven , a poet and the author of "What a Friend We Have in Jesus", was born in Ireland (in 1819). The man planned a military career, but his poor health made him quit his studies at a military college. In 1844, Joseph's fiancee drowned (in an accident) on the day before their wedding. In the same year, Scriven moved to Ontario, Canada, where he worked as a teacher at a private school and was also a preacher. In 1860, the man was to be married again. It did not happen, though as his fiancee died of pneumonia. After that, Scriven did odd/temporary jobs only. As an active member of Plymouth Brethren , he tried to live his life following the Sermon on the Mountain as well as he could.  J. M. Scriven...

✧ Arion Men's Choir was founded in 1908. At the beginning its seat was at Palo Alto Creek. Arion also had a mixed choir - its members were ladies (wives and daughters) of the Arion singers. Clipping source: Dietel, William. The Radio Post (Fredericksburg, Tex.), Vol. 13, No. 51, Ed. 1 Friday, August 30, 1935 , newspaper , August 30, 1935; Fredericksburg, Texas . ( https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1510164/ : accessed June 7, 2024 ), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu ; crediting Gillespie County Historical Society . ✧ Hermannsons Mixed Choir (Hermannsöhne Gemischter Chor) came into being in 1934.  In May 1935, Arion Men's Choir hosted the annual Gillespie County S ä ngerfest. The ladies of the Arion Mixed Choir assisted the men in organizing and preparing the celebrations. Clipping source: Source:  Di...

It is not known who the author of the song is.  "Horch, was kommt von draussen 'rein" was popular among students at the end of the 19th century. Many men's choruses added the song to their repertoire then. In the 20th century, other types of choirs started singing it as well.  Franz Joseph Roehl is the author of the tune musical arrangement sung by the ladies of the German Choirs of Fredericksburg.   You can read more about the song HERE .

  We are getting ready for the annual Sängerfest. Guess what, this year, it is going to take place in Fredericksburg again! --- Local organizations are invited to support the Sängerfest by advertising in our "Festschrift" (event program book) and by participating in the event. We expect to be well-attended by people from various parts of our region.   For details, regarding the advertising options and opportunities (including "In Memory of..." notes), please contact the German Choirs' officers. You can also send us your inquiry here on Facebook.  

Another song from Maifest - performed by Arion Männerchor.   "I trink jetzt kan Schnaps mehr"   Studying the song lyrics, you may notice that the German language used in it is a bit different from the language version you might have learned at school. We wanted to know more about it and here it is what we have found out. The lyrics are written in a regional Carinthian dialect spoken in Carinthia (Eastern Alps), Austria.  𝅘𝅥𝅮 The music was created by Gretl Komposch (Margaretha Maria Elisabeth Komposch née Höfferer), an Austrian composer and choir director. She was born on February 22, 1923 in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. When Margaretha was a little baby, her family moved to Arnoldstein/Carinthia, Austria. The lady studied at Villach Conservatory and also received musical training from Ferdinand Grossmann and Hans Gillesberger. Gretl Komposch founded several singing societies, including Grenzlandchor Arnoldstein and Die Junggebleiben choir. In the 1970s, G. Komposch collab...