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History of our Chorus - Page 3 In January 1935 the chorus found a grateful audience when it gave a concert on Welfare Island. The program which included a wide selection of German and English pieces was well presented and very much appreciated. In the June 1935 Sängerfest in Newark, New Jersey the 80 singers which composed the RSB received first prize at the singing competition. More successful performances followed in the ensuing years. On Mother's Day 1937 the RSB was heard on the radio. Conducted by Hans Fredhoven, the chorus gave a concert at Station WJZ with NBC at Radio City. The program was broadcast not only nationally but also in Germany: in Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Cologne. Best wishes for the Rheinischer then flowed in from all parts of the new and old world. Later that year, a very successful 90th anniversary was given at the Manhattan Oddfellows Temple on November 13th. President Otto Fischer and his aide Ewald Kellermann kept the chorus together through World War II. It was very difficult in many ways. Further, a number of singers were away, serving in the military. After 17 years as president, Otto Fischer died suddenly and the second hundred years of the Rheinischer began with Ewald Kellermann as president (1946-1954). His son Heinz took over the office for two years and, later, served again as president at the 125th Anniversary celebration. In 1947, as in the previous year, the RSB was among the thousands of voices in the mass chorus that sang at Madison Square Garden and raised thousands of dollars for German relief. The 100th Anniversary was celebrated with 75 active singers in the Manhattan Center on October 18th, 1947. The affair was sold out. At this grand event, Dirigent Hans Fredhoven and president Ewald Kellermann were recognized for their untiring efforts in the cause of German song. At the personal invitation of mayor of Mainz, 47 active singers of the RSB flew to Germany in 1951 for the Nationales Sängerfest. The first since the war, this event was sponsored by the Deutscher Sängerbund, and the Rheinischer, who were very well received, participated with enthusiasm. From Mainz, the RSB continued its concert tour through the Rheinland. Between 1951 and 1956 the RSB took part in 6 benefit concerts at New York's Carnegie Hall to aid such organizations as the German Society of New York and the Isabella Home among others. From 1957 to 1970, three fine gentlemen served ably as president of the Rheinischer Sängerbund: John Becker, Sr., for 8 years, Adolf Grein for 3 years and Walter Canther for 2. The 1957 fall concert featured as soloist the well known bass Walter Kelvin, whom we know better as an active singer and Honorary President Walter Kattwinkel.
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