Our History
In the middle of the
nineteenth century, movements to establish democratic governments arose
in central Europe. To capitalize on their love of singing and to teach
democratic ways to the people, singing societies were created in
Switzerland and Germany. As the Swiss emigrated to America, they brought
their singing societies with them. Thus, they created cultural
institution that would also preserve the traditions of the Fatherland
and provide a place where new immigrants could find comfort and
friendship.
Helvetia Männerchor
Founded in 1890 by
Bernhard Buehler, a native of Steckborn, Thurgau, Switzerland. Even
before this date there was evidence of rehearsals, concerts, and
performances by Swiss male singers. Mr. Buehler served until 1893 as the
first President of the Columbus Swiss Male Chorus. The first recorded
Music Director was Prof. George Dietrich (1892-1897). The purpose of the
Helvetia Männerchor is to celebrate Swiss heritage and good fellowship
through song and to further an appreciation of Swiss culture by musical
performances to community, regional, an national audiences. Early in its
existence (1896) the Columbus Helvetia Männerchor took an active part in
promoting a meeting of Swiss singing societies from various cities. As a
result of these meetings the Swiss-American Singing Alliance was
organized (in 1988 renamed the North American Swiss Singing Alliance).
The Columbus Helvetia Männerchor has attended all 37 National
Sängerfests since their beginning in 1897 in Cleveland, Ohio. In 1898,
Columbus hosted the Second National Sängerfest. Since that time Columbus
has hosted the 1965, 1974, and 1991 National Sängerfests.
Edelweiss Damenchor
Founded in 1895 by
Pauline Glur, Aured Flora, Marti Baer, Bertha Jenny Doelker, Elisa
Grossenbacher, Kunzi Lucy, Jenny Miller, Anna Antenen Pretz, Elisabeth
Buehler Rohauser and Rosa Kehr Zwigard. The majority of the women were
wives and daughters of members of the other constituent societies. The
purpose of the Edelweiss Damenchor is to celebrate Swiss heritage and
good sisterhood through song and to further an appreciation of Swiss
culture by musical performances to community, regional, and national
audiences.
Columbus Jodel Club
The
Columbus Jodel Club (jodel
is the Germanic spelling for
yodel)
is not a separate organization as much as it is bringing together the
Helvetia with two yodelers to perform this distinctively Swiss art. The
Club is a very old tradition that was revived in 1997 following many
years of inactivity. The revival of the Jodel Club makes the Columbus
Swiss Singers the only organization in the North American Swiss Singing
Alliance to have competed in all four categories of the Sängerfest:
men's chorus, ladies' chorus, mixed chorus, and yodel.
Last updated September 28, 2009