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A special and enchanting pre-Christmas Concert by the
Schwaebischer Maennerchor
On December 16 th, 2006, the Schwaben Male Chorus performed their 72nd
annual Christmas concert under the direction of Mr. Erwin Aufdemberge at the
Warren Consolidated Schools Performing Arts Center in Sterling Heights. To
see a copy of the concert announcement, click
here.
As Jim
Fitch, president of the chorus so aptly points out, “Today’s lifestyle has
become so hectic and faced paced, this should be the time of year to stop
and appreciate all the life values around you…”
Traditional German Christmas tunes like Tochter Zion and Weihnacht Wirds Nun
Weider were dark and rich with harmony, and Oh Tannebaum, with soloists Jim
Schwark and Chris Steudle aced one of the most beautiful melodies ever
written. The transposition of notes and chords in the sections final piece,
The First Noel and Pachelbel’s Canon, was outright amazing. The velvet
voices of the choir made these songs sound just perfect for the Christmas
season.
Soloist Monique Bates and Judy Zorn, with voices like crystal, led off the
second section with Gesu Bambino, an Italian carol, but quickly returned to
Germanic roots with the Evening Prayer from Hansel und Gretel. The third
section included Es Ist Ein Ros Entsprugen, accompanied by the Brass
Ensemble, the traditionally Southern U.S.A. sounding Whisper! Whisper! and O
Holy Night, followed by rousing applause.
At the
conclusion of the performance, children from the audience gathered on stage
for their Christmas moment, a sing-a-long, which we all agree is among the
season’s greatest joy.
An
afterglow at the Carpathia club was filled with dancing, beer drinking and a
marvelous selection of German specialties, which concluded the evening with
a grand and resounding Fröhliche Weihnachten!, Frohe Weihnachten!
Below some Pictures from the Christmas Concert - 2006 |
