History of our Chorus - Page 4

The year 1959 saw the next trip to Germany, where the chorus was welcomed warmly by the Mainzer Liederkranz in Mainz, the Weinheimer Blütensänger in Weinheim, the Sängerbund Hohenbaden in Baden-Baden, and the MGV "Harmonie" in Buehl near Baden. Concerts were given in each locale.

In 1960 in Washington DC, the RSB took part in the 34th National Sängerfest sponsored by the Nordöstlicer Sängerbund of America. In 1962 our chorus traveled again to Germany, this time for the 15th Nationales Sängerfest, in Essen. As part of the week-long celebration, the RSB presented a concert in the famous Essener Saalbau to a capacity audience. In the two-mile long procession of the Sängerfest, the Rheinischer figured prominently with its big American flag. Concerts were also given in Mühlheim, Weinheim and Mainz.

In 1963 the Erler Kinderchor, from Gelsenkirchen, made its fourth visit to New York, hosted by the RSB, and took part in the autumn concert at the Park Sheration. At the invitation of the Concordia Männerchor, the RSB made its first trip to Canada, in April of the following year and presented a joint concert to a full house at the Ottawa Coliseum. In May, our chorus took part in the 35th National Sängerfest of the Nordöstlicher, this time held in New York City.

Sadly, in 1964 a fire at the Mozarthalle, the Rheinischer Vereinsslokal, destroyed the records and much of the 100-year store of music. Although the hall was rebuilt within six months and even improved acoustically, much of the loss was irreplaceable.

At the invitation of Bonner Schubertchor, the chorus flew to Germany in 1965 and gave a joint concert in Bonn. Beforehand, to fulfill an obligation, the chorus also gave a joint concert with the Essener Männerchor in the beautiful Gruga Garden of Essen. The highlight of this trip, however, was the invitation to visit Heinrich Luebke, then the President of the German Federal Republic, at his summer residence, Villa Hammerschmidt.

Under the leadership of Dirigent Leonard Temme, our Musical Director for 20 years, the chorus attended the Nordöstlicher's 36th National Sängerfest in Philadelphia in 1967. Later the same year, Albert Heberer took over as Dirigent, and the 120th Anniversary of the RSB was celebrated at the Statler Hilton in Manhattan. It was also about that time when the Mozart Verein dissolved and its 8 members, including the amiable baritone Elmer Wendt, joined the RSB.

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