It’s the time of year when the air fills with birdsong. Migratory birds avoid the harsh winter and flee to warmer regions, as do some choristers from the choir who leave the cold north only to return in the spring, as if the season musically invites them to find their place in the choir again. Songbirds do not stop singing in winter, even though their breeding season is over. Winter is a time of practice and rehearsal for birds and choristers for the upcoming spring season. It is as if spring arrives not only through the flowers and green leaves symbolizing the beginning of a new cycle, but also through the chirping and singing of songs.
Singing has long been celebrated for its healing and uplifting power. Listening to popular songs through headphones or speakers is satisfying, but nothing compares to the joy of a live concert. The German Canadian Male Chorus has been providing transformative experiences for many years and, when they take the stage, their warm voices fill the air and captivate the audience. For this upcoming concert, the choir has lifted “oldies” from the archives to blend with some German sea shanties and some upbeat English folksongs too.
The German Canadian Male Chorus of Calgary is singing into it’s 54th season. The choir can even boast having an original member! Directed by Susan Woodward and accompanied on piano by Liz Tremblay, the choir performs two concerts annually, entertains throughout the community during the choir season, and travels internationally every three years.
Maintaining contact with other German choirs is important to the men’s choir and last year a performance tour to British Columbia was arranged to sing with the Liedertafel Mixed Choir, Kelowna, and the Lyra Men’s Choir, Vancouver. A concert tour to Northern Germany and Denmark is currently being planned for the spring of next year.
The songs we are presenting today were performed at our Spring Concert on May 31 at St. David’s United Church with our guests, Liederkranz Men’s Choir from Edmonton. It is always wonderful for a choir to get a “second chance” to perform new songs, so we thank Damon once again, for inviting us to sing in the great acoustics of this beautiful sanctuary and giving us another opportunity to sing our spring repertoire!
The choir is always happy to accept new members. Some singing or musical background is preferred. Some knowledge of German is beneficial but not necessary.
For more information about us please visit our website www.gcmcc.com.
This concert is the forurth in a series of many Choral Concerts during 2025 that is generously sponsored by:
