History of our Chorus - Page 12

Friends of the Rheinischer

The RSB has had many good friends. A few of the many deserve mention in the history.

Marianne and Ferdinand Schaller have been generous patrons of the chorus. In the 70's the RSB made two enjoyable visits to the Schaller & Weber factory and, over the years at the Steubenparade, "Rhinemaidens" have been seen atop the Schaller & Weber float. At Christmas parties, Marianne delighted children with chocolate Santa Clauses. The RSB is proud that its officers were invited to the reception at the German Consulate General where Ferdinand Schaller received the Bundesverdienstkreuz. A successful German immigrant and a long0time friend of the RSB, he was honored in 1987 for his support of organizations like the RSB.

Sadly, some are gone. Gerty Graf reporting for the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung always wrote the nicest articles, referring to the chorus as"Die Meistersinger vom Rhein". Egon Kristensen, "Der Schokoladen König", (the Chocolate King) generously made sure the Christmas Party had delectable candies and provided some truly sweet prizes for the raffles.

The door prize at many affairs has delighted its winners - a weekend at the Crystal Brook Resort, compliments of Margaret & John Dukarm. Chris Wolf, also known as "Mr. Schuetzen Park", continues to make the RSB feel at home there. In 1996, the RSB was fortunate to have been among the many who attended Chris' gala 65th birthday party, where the chorus expressed its appreciation in song.

It's a fact that many ladies have seen every weekend for nine months of every year, year in and year out, start without their "significant other" at home because he was away at rehearsal on Friday night (or, at least, so they've been told). While there hasn't been a Ladies' Auxiliary for years, the RSB is indebted to the gracious ladies who have regularly worked hard on its behalf. Pauline Hoefer, with her Freddy, handled the sale and collection of tickets. Paulette Kohler and Cheri have ably suceeded them. The many table and other decorations, which added so much to the "Stimmung" (mood) of events, have usually been the result of the tasteful, clever efforts of: Lorraine Seifert, Magda Heinrich, Marlise Johnson, Martha Matz, Mary-Alice Kattwinkel, and Pauline Hoefer (alphabeticaly by first name). Promoting the club, selling raffle tickets, they usually worked in the wings but some also had important, and very well received, roles in the stage productions.

The Future

From singing at the sad occasion of the funeral service for President Lincoln, to the glorious concert at Lincoln Center, the RSB has done much to foster German song in America. As German immigrants and their succeeding generations become more and more assimilated into American society, the danger of losing the fine German choral tradition grows. To think that the beauty of this art form might one day go unheard is profoundly sad. The cultivation of German Song has a centuries' old history which the RSB seeks to perpetuate.

Usually sun in German, the repertoire of the RSB is actually international and comprehensive. It includes, of course, German ballads, but also operatic choruses, folk music from Europe and America, and hit songs fro American musicals. As interpreted by the RSB, Das Deutsche Lied is a precious contribution to world culture. It ennobles, soothes, delights and unites. In the "melting pot" of America, it is quite apropos. With nobility of purpose, the devotion of members, the generosity of friends and the support of faithful audiences, the future of the Rheinischer Sängerbund seems assured.

Written by Edelbert Hoeher & John McKee for the 150th Anniversary Concert Program Book.