Teutonia choir contributes German classic ‘O Tannenbaum’
Written by Sarah Ottney | Managing Editor | sottney@toledofreepress.comOregon-based choir Teutonia Männerchor and Damenchor is best known as a sponsor of the annual German-American Festival, where it performs each year at the opening ceremonies, singing the United States, German and Swiss national anthems.
The Teutonia Damenchor
But many people don’t realize the group practices and performs all year, including a holiday concert and a spring concert, said director Eric Graber.
The group contributed “O Tannenbaum” (“O Christmas Tree”) to the “Holiday Wishes 2” CD to benefit Make-A-Wish Foundation.
“It’s one of the few German carols we hear in this country,” Graber said. “That and ‘Silent Night,’ or ‘Stille Nacht,’ but what better than ‘O Christmas Tree?’ Everybody likes a Christmas tree. We just did it a cappella with a little bit of keyboard behind us. All three verses are in German.”
Graber said the choir jumped at the chance to get some publicity while helping Make-A-Wish at the same time.
“We’re a charitable organization, too, so this is a nice way to help out with another charity,” Graber said. “It’s another way of giving back.”
The Teutonia Männerchor, founded in 1867 as a German male chorus, is the oldest continuing performing arts group in the Toledo area, Graber said.
The ladies’ chorus, the Teutonia Damenchor, was founded in 1969 and the two have become one performing ensemble.
The Teutonia Männerchor
The choir will present its holiday concert, “Weihnachtsglocken!” (“Christmas Bells!”) on Dec. 8 at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Road, in Oregon. Half the songs will be sung in German and half in English, Graber said. Translations will be printed in a program.
Doors open 5 p.m., dinner will be served 5:30-6:30 p.m. and the concert begins at 7:30 p.m. followed by dancing until about midnight. A cash bar will be available.
The handbell choir from First St. John’s Lutheran Church will also perform. Dance music will be provided by ENCORE!, which offers polkas, waltzes, line-dancing and more, Graber said.
Tickets are $24 for dinner, concert and dancing or $13 for the concert and dancing.
Reservations are required. No tickets will be sold at the door. Reservation deadline is Dec. 3.
For more information or to reserve tickets, contact Nancy Waters at (419) 290-3229 or nwaters212@bex.net.
Tags: Holiday Wishes 2, Make-A-Wish, Teutonia Damenchor, Teutonia Männerchor
