Coplay Sängerbund celebrates 89 years
 
Hundreds of people converged Sunday, June 25, at the Coplay Sängerbund to celebrate its 89th year, and the customary traditional "Stiftungsfest" featured a variety of choruses in German and the Austrian dialect.

The club's mixed chorus was led by Director Joseph Weber as the standing-room-only crowd congregated in the upper-level hall. There were a myriad of Austrian and German songs, including selections in English and a Czechoslovakian dance.

Gray clouds and intermittent rain couldn't dampen the spirits of the crowd, as Sängerbund President Fritz Mondschein welcomed everyone and thanked them for celebrating their Austrian heritage. Polka music and ethnic foods were enjoyed by everyone under a pitched roof at the outdoor pavilion.
Along with the club's chorus and its Hianz'nchor, the special guests were the Reading Liederkranz Chorus, the Lehigh Sängerbund Chorus, and the Lancaster Hobbychor, making its first appearance. Each visiting chorus provided its own selections.

The 2006 concert was dedicated to member Mary Fodor, who passed away in February and was an integral part of the Sängerbund chorus.
Comprising 26 female and male voices, the Sängerbund chorus featured the entire groups for several selections, then highlighted the men and women in separate numbers.

Directed by Weber and accompanied by Kathy Alonzo, the music began with the chorus singing "The Star-Spangled Banner", followed by "Das ist der Tag des Herrn", "Grüß mir die Heimat", "Czechoslovakian Dance Song", "Ständchen", "Wir singen unsre Lieder", and "Der Jäger aus Kurpfalz", concluding with the mixed chorus singing "One Nation Under God", unfurling small American flags as the song ended. The crowd broke into a rousing ovation.
Members of the chorus included: Sopranos Cathy Boyer, Vickie Boyer, Dolores di Sante, Clara Glover, Hilda Koetting, Frieda Peischler, Marcia Theiss; Altos Ida Bartholomew, Stella Eberhardt, Elsie Kroboth, Catherine Marx, Helen Vetrok, Margaret Weber, Lauren Zwetolitz; Tenors Rev. Timothy Boyer, Pat Demilio, Florian Geider, Alfred Lederer, John Mikitsch, Frank Paukovits, Stephen Rosko; Basses Jeremy Boyer, Allen Edelman, Joseph Geosits, John Toth, and John Wechsler.

The club's Hianz'nchor followed with Robert Strauch as its director and button box accordionist. Its selections included the "Mondschein Polka", "Adio du Einsamkeit", Dås schönste Bliamerl auf der Ålm", "Unt am See då drunt", "Valåssn bin i", "Rosemarie, du hast meine Liebe verlassen", "Zu Hause, zu Hause, da werden wir uns wiedersehn", and "Mir san jå imma lustig".
Its singers included Pauline Albert, Ida Bartholomew, Stella Eberhardt, Marie Giedl, Gisela Herrmann, Eleanor Kovalchick, Catherine Marx, Frieda Peischler, Margaret Roma, Anna Marie Schanta, Judith Snyder, Helen Vetrok, Joseph Geosits, Josef Giedl, Alfred Lederer, John Mikitsch, Stephen Rosko, William Rosner, and Reginald Wrona.

The Reading Liederkranz Chorus, under the direction of Elizabeth Hinkle, performed six traditional and original songs, concluding with a singalong to "God Bless America".The Lancaster Hobbychor, accompanied by accordionist Hans Hagemann, then took the stage with five songs, including the popular "Der fröhliche Wanderer". The Lehigh Sängerbund Chorus, with Scott Miller as director, had five musical selections, including the "Lehigh Sängergruß" and "Route 66".

Outdoors, the Josef Kroboth Orchestra played to a large crowd dancing to polkas and waltzes, while ethnic food, such as Bratwurst and other delicacies were on the menu.

By Al Recker
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Burgenlaendische Gemeinschaft  7-9 2006 Nr.399 Newsletter archive