GERMAN CHOIRS KEEP ALIVE OLD WORLD MUSICAL TRADITIONS

Local German choirs meet to preserve their culture and language at various events most years, although they were put on hold in 2020. The two local choirs are the Arion Men’s Choir and the Hermann Sons Mixed Choir. The choirs are under the

direction of Alice Langehennig. — Standard-Radio Post file photo

Keeping German traditions and heritage alive are two local choirs — the Arion Men’s Choir and the Hermann Sons Mixed Choir.

The choirs meet weekly for fellowship and singing. Membership is voluntary and adults who enjoy singing are invited to join in and participate any time.

Arion Männerchor (Arion Men’s Choir), founded in 1908, and the Hermannsöhne Gemischter Chor (Hermann Sons Mixed Choir), active since 1934, are both directed by Alice Langehennig.

Rehearsals are held every Thursday at Bethany Lutheran Church.

The Hermann Sons Choir meets at 6:30 p.m. and is followed by the Arion at 7:15 p.m.

New members are always welcome and knowledge of the German language is helpful, but not required, nor is the ability to sight-read music.

The choirs’ repertoire ranges from sacred music to classical masterworks to folk songs.

They jointly present a free-admission public concert in the spring, usually the first Sunday in May (Maifest), and another in the fall, the first Sunday in November, a Herbstfest (Harvestfest).

Both concerts will be held at St. Joseph’s Halle.

In addition, they represent Fredericksburg in a yearly Sängerfest (singers’ festival) along with German choirs from San Antonio and New Braunfels. This year it will be held at the St. Mary’s Holy Family Center, hosted by the Hermann Sons Mixed Choir on Saturday, Sept. 25.

Both choirs also appear regularly at Oktoberfest, and give performances from time to time during the year at nursing and retirement homes.

More information is available by calling Heinrich Boenig at 830-669-2104, Carol Woitalla at 830-997-9671 or director Alice Langehennig at 806-282-5476.

Due to COVID-19, rehearsals are currently suspended. For current information regarding annual concert dates or rehearsals, call one of the above contacts.