Washington Saengerbund

The Washington Saengerbund is a German choral society founded in 1851 in Washington, D.C. About 50 active singers make up the mixed chorus, which forwards a tradition of preserving German music and German culture in the Washington Metropolitan Area with numerous concerts and musical performances during the year, often in conjunction with other groups. A Spring Concert, a Fall Concert and a traditional German Christmas Concert at United Church on 20th and G St, Washington, D.C. are part of the repertoire. An annual Masquerade Ball at Mardi Gras time and participation at the local Oktoberfest celebrations are some of the other activities.

The Washington Sängerbund's mission statement is to preserve German song and the German language. The organization cultivates the study of music and instructs the members in choral singing and in the theoretical knowledge of music.

Early in 1851 a few young Germans of the choir of the Concordia Church (today United Church/Vereinigte Kirche) located at 20th & G Sts., NW in Washington, DC decided to organize a German Singing Society. They were planning to participate as a German chorus in the Second Song Festival of the Nordöstlicher Sängerbund of America, which was to be held in Baltimore, Maryland in June 1851.

The group formed and elected its first president, Julius Viedt. Following an invitation from the members of the new singing club, Mr. Charles Walter of Baltimore accepted the musical directorship and set the date for the first rehearsal for April 12, 1851 at the German Hall on 11th Street, NW between F & G Sts in Washington, DC. But, as it turned out, in those days travel was not that easy and Mr. Walter was unable to attend due to inclement weather. In a letter he explained; "I am sorry for not appearing last night. But I thought I better stay home since I didn't think a rehearsal would get together in this kind of weather. I am happy about your intentions and I will become a member, if chosen as the new director or not. Please go ahead and schedule another rehearsal next Wednesday, April 20, 1851 at 8:30 in the evening at the German Hall." This date marks the first rehearsal of record of the Washington Sängerbund (www.saengerbund.org).

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