THE BEGINNING …
Günter Brandstetter
immigrated to Australia in September 1979 and joined the newly built
Austrian Club in Mawson in 1980. Günter was previously involved in
the arts scene in Salzburg and was the musical director of the
Anifer Kulturkreis, an organisation that promoted music and art in
and around Salzburg (Austria). One day Günter had a ‘deep and
meaningful’ discussion with a long-standing member of the Austrian
Club (Werner Binder) about how much he missed these cultural aspects
of Austrian life. Werner’s comment was interesting and in some ways
triggered the establishment of the then ‘Edelweiss Choir’. He said –
there are many members in the Austrian Club that like you, love
music and singing, all they need is someone who is willing (and has
the talent) to organise a choir. Well, this was when a group of
about 25 people got together and, with the help of Charmaine Cusch
on the piano, started to learn the first song ‘Wahre Freundschaft’
(Real Friendship). In 1981, after rehearsals became more regular,
this group decided that they wanted to be a ‘real’ choir and with
that the ‘Edelweiss Choir’ was born.
The choir sang at many
multicultural functions and in many ways enhanced the functions in
the Austrian Club with their presentations of songs that were very
much alive in the memories of Club members.
The choir has participated in
many memorable occasions. One of the most notable was when Mrs.
Ainzi Stoltz (the widow of the composer Robert Stoltz) came to
Canberra and the Choir organised a Gala Evening (black tie) with 14
strings from the Canberra School of Music, singing and playing many
of the well known Robert Stoltz songs.
Over the years the choir had a
number of conductors. The most notable was Fred Ziegler, an original
member of the Vienna Boy’s Choir and the founder of the now famous
German ‘Sängerfests’. In 1988 he completely reformed the Choir and
gave it its new name - Austrian Choir. During that time the choir
recorded many more achievements such as two ‘Musikantenstadl’ held
at the Austrian Club and five memorable trips all over Australia to
the German ‘Sängerfests’. In 1992 the choir recorded a cassette
‘Heimat’ (Homeland) which was followed, in 2001 by a CD titled
‘Unvergessliche Melodien’ (Unforgettable Melodies). Fred retired in
2002 and moved to Queensland where he passed away in January 2000.
In April 2004 the Austrian
Choir welcomed back Dr. Brandstetter as its Musical Director. It was
fitting that Günter was at the helm again when on July 22, 2006, the
choir celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a Silver Jubilee Concert
at the School of Music's Llewellyn Hall.
Today, with regular concerts
and annual performances at the Austrian Club’s Heimatabends and
Advent Singen, the choir is still succeeding in keeping alive the
rich musical heritage of Austria.
While the choir mostly sings in
the German language, a German background is not necessary as there
will always be someone to help with the pronunciation and meaning of
the words. If you think you would be interested to join, no previous
musical experience is necessary, just a desire to sing. Singers in
all categories are most welcome. Rehearsals are held each Wednesday
in the main hall at the Austrian Australian Club from 7.30 to 9pm.
Rehearsals are followed by some nibblies and drinks in the
Bauernstube.Find the
latest Austrian Choir Report under
NEWS !
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