The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1901-04-22

IN TINS direction the SaengerDunu Is
unquestionably contributor, for ii has
not only local reputation. but it also
enjoys to an eminent degree the esteem
and regard of the friends of culture, re-
finement, and lovers of music and song
everywhere. Its fame has even Travelled
across the waters, and is recognized in the
musical centres of Europe. This fact
should fill us Neutrality-suspicious. with pride
and satisfaction. residing in the nation $
capital. we are well aware that whatever
tc-fds to the fame of our city is n link
in the great chain OF achieved results and
recognized work
The development of love for music
and song in the United States has been
of slow process. When the Saengerbund
was founded it was a dark continent so
far as a knowledge of musical results
was concerned on the part of the great
American public Independent of church
music, which even in those days was
somewhat crude. there was nothing ma
tional except the plantation songs and
plaintiVe melodies of the negroes, and
it was German emigration that infused
new life, spirit, and vitality into the de-
nartments of music and song. II has
grown steadily in every prominent centre
OF our country, until today the chorus
singing of large masses is recognized and
regarded with favor and admiration. To
this end the Washington Saengerbund has
spared no pains. and has been ready at
any and all times to show self-sacrifc-
ing spirit, whether in winter or in
summer, on occasions of JOY and fes-
tivity, as well as of sorrow and
death. in all matters of pub
lie character where its aid and support
were needed either individually or collec-
lively, this association has stood at the
forefront. and has been sponsor for that
personal liberty and social enjoyment for
which man in his higher development is
so elninently fitted.
Therefore, the golden jubilee of the
organization, having no mercenary or
mercantile purposes 20 serve, but solely
aat Ill ..l...r
acter, should receive the acclaim not
only of its friends but of every lover of
his country. Armies come and go, coun-
tries are victorious or vanquished, but
the love of music and song glows in our
heart of hearts for ever and aye; it
lulls us TO sleep when our mothers love
is near us, it woos us to regions of high
est enthusiasm when the maiden of our
choice sings us love ditties, and il rouses
the patriot and the lover of liberty when
the national air resounds. May, then.
this spirit of all that is grand and excel
lent continue to exercise a beneficent in
inence. and voice for ages to come that
kinshiD which is based on the results of
music and song, and may the Saenger-
bund, at the close of the Tooth year of
its existence be domiciled not only i'm a
home OF its own, but also with halls suf-
nclently large to accommodate all of its
friends. so as to indeed represent every
phase and element of national life and to
give voice to all of its inspiring in
tluences."
A feature of the concert was the beau
tiful rendition of the orchestral numbers.
The orchestra included the leading instru-
mentalsts of the city, and was under
the direction of the musical director of
the Saengerbund, Henry Xander. This
part of the programme contained num-
bers from Weber. Wagner. and Meyer
beer. which were presented i'm style
which would have done credit to pro-
fessional orchestra.
The jubilee is to be continued two days.
a grand jubilee ball will be given at the
National Rifles Armory tonight. Tomor-
row evening will be the last of the semi
centennial festivities. A banquet ana
"festcommers" will be given in the Saen-
gerbund Hall. which has been suitably
decorated for the occasion.
The Washington Saengerbund has a long
and honorable history. Half a century
ago-that is. in the early part OF the year
iN5l-several young German America MS
who were members of the choir of Con-
cordia Church, at the corner of Twentieth
and G Streets northwest. organized a
singing society for the purpose of partic-
pating In the second grand singing festi-
val of the Northeastern Saengerbund. to
he held in June of the year mentioned at
Baltimore. They engaged the late Charles
Walter, n justice Of the peace. widely
leader. and this little band of singers
held its first rehearsal on April %. 1851,
al German Hall, which stood on Eleventh
between L and G Streets northwest.
a lew weeks before the departure ut
the Saengerbund for the New York Saen-
serfest. in 1852. three young ladies pre-
sented to ii silk banner, and the oc-
casion of the presentation was celebrated
with brilliant bah at carusi's Hall.
where later the Theatre Comique stood
and whore the Lyceum now stands The
donors of the banner were Miss Johanna
kahlert. who was later married to Mr.
Adolf I<iesecker. one of the organizers of
the Saengerbund, and who still lives: Mrs.
Margaret Eherly and Miss Schlegel. The
banner is still in possession of the So
ciety. Since then the society has been
presented with three banners one a
saenger banner, received on July 3 1863,
an American silk ensign presented in 1878
and German silk standard, presented on
March 4, 1855.
In January. 1852, the Hungarian patriot
kossuth came to Washington. He was
serenaded by the Saenserbund al Brown )
Hotel, now the Metropolitan. 1t is mar
rated 10y the veteran members of the Sa,.n-
gerbund that kossuth asked whether he
should make his speech in English or IN
German. and was told to speak in English
He delivered his address from the balcony
of the hotel while two members of the
Saengerbund stood beside him holding
lighted candles that the crowd which had
gathered in the Avenue might see him.
There was then no Illuminating gas In
Washington.
OF the original members of the Saenger-
bund six survive. These are Adolf Kfe-
seeker, Frederick Schmidt A Streb. j
Barthel. a. Il. Eberly, and j. Emmner
All of these continue residents of Wash
ington-
The names Of the presidents of the saen-
gerbund from its organization TO date
follow:
julius viedt, George Bremen A.
Meiners, who served four terms; j. En-
inner. +. Fisher, II. Boesenberg, L. Wal
decker. who served four terms: L. Brod-
hag. II. Kahlert, Abraham Hart, Z.
Sclrmid. p. Schulze. Fred Ciaudy tfirst
term, September g. 1885. till September A.
iSSD: John Waldmann September g. 1sgl
till September s. 1850. Fred Claudy (second
term. September 5. 1925, up to date.
The list OF the names Of those who have
served the society as directors. follows:
Squire Charles Walter. Joseph c.
Foertsch, i. hleg, who served two terms:
served two terms; Carl Bergman, j..
Holer. who served four terms Max Null
Ter. W. Waldecker, Henry Xander, who
has served since August 1S. 1896.
The Washington Saengerbund has at
tended all the singing festivals OF the
Northeastern Saengerbund. except the
first. in 1850 In the Northeastern Saen-
Serbund are included the societies OF the
Middle and New England States. and It's
membership IL between 1000 and 5000 sing
ers. In these musical contests the Wash
ington Saengerbund has won three prizes
In the second class, the first class being
composed of societies with a strength of
10d or more, and the second class being
composed of societies having a member
ship of from fifty TO 100. The Washing
ton Saengerbund is therefore in the sec
ond class. In this class the local singers
won first prize, piano. at Baltimore in
July, 1863. They took the third prize a
bust Of Rheinberger. composer of the prize
song. at Newark, n. j.. in July. 1891 and
the sixth prize, a silver goblet, at New
York. in June, 1884.
The Washington Saengerbund sang at
the funeral of President Lincoln in IL
Rotunda of the Capitol; at the memorial
services of Emperors Wilhelm / and
Frederick III in 1888: at the first Schuet-
Zenfest in the Schuetzen Park Nav 2S
and 70. 1866. and all the following Schuet-
zenfests; at the unveiling of the General
Steubcn bust in Schuetzen Park, October,
1870