Dick reports...

Salute to Spring

Even though the weather was not really spring-like, the warm voices of several choirs at the Club Loreley, in Oshawa, made us forget the temporary cold snap when familiar and new songs connected us with our roots in the old country again.

Most of us have been away far too long and it was an oral treat for most of the guests. Too bad for the many club members that were forced to miss this superb musical event. The club’s Ladies Auxiliary had provided home-baked cookies on all the tables, to help celebrate this festive occasion and the bar was open to make sure everyone’s throat remained well lubricated.

The evening started with Olaf Rudolph’s address and his “Welcome to Spring”. Being the president of the Lorelei Singers, he also functioned as the MC. Another celebrity, Julia Henninger – the reigning Miss Loreley – also greeted the audience in the name of the club.

The Loreley Singers conducted by Monica Cotton

The first choir in the lineup was the Loreley Singers – the host for the event - with six superb songs including ‘Tulips from Amsterdam’, and the audience was encouraged to sing along; ‘Fare thee well Love’ and a ‘Laue Luft Medley’ with Monica Cotton conducting the choir.

...and their audience

The Edelweiss Choir with Linda Marcinkus and Dr. Richard Heinzle conducting

Next up was the Edelweiss Choir, with Dr. Richard Heinzle conducting. Their 8 editions were mostly folk tunes – I must confess that I did not know any of them – but culled from a rich palette of folk tunes from southern Germany and Austria and their heritage was also reflected by their choice of costumes. They were setting a mood and recalled memories in most of the appreciative audience.

The Männerchor Harfentöne, Dr. Richard Heinzle conducting

The Male Choir “Harfentöne” – once one of the largest choirs in Toronto – stepped up to the stage with 20 members, again with Dr. Richard Heinzle conducting. This was a strong choir with vibrant voices and brilliant renditions including ‘Kalinka’, a Russian Folksong that had the audience in stitches – me included.

The Mass Choir, Monica Cotton conducting

Afterward the ‘Mixed Choir’ - a Mozart inspired song - and the Men’s Choir sang ‘Jacobsladder’, as arranged by Sander van Marion. This offering always invites lots of applause and is an all time favorite with choirs.

The Male Choir, Dr. Richard Heinzle conducting

Kudos to the brilliant accompaniments of Linda Marcinkus at the piano; she made sure the singers and the music all arrived at the same time. A great event – Loreley has done it again!

As always

Dick Altermann

PS.: As we were placing this web page this page onto the Internet Ruth Henninger informed us of Monica Cotton's sudden passing. We grieve with the Cotton family and all those whose life she has touched.
The team of Echo Germanica/Echoworld Communications
Sybille, Rolf and Dick

Dick reports about community, historical, cultural, ethnic events within the distribution area of Echo Germanica from a German-Canadian perspective.