History of our Chorus - Page 11

happy to receive them again in early 1972. In 1991 the visiting Kimlingchor spent a nice evening with the RSB, and Edel Hoeher helped in the arrangements for the guests, a mixed chorus of 250, to give a concert at St. Patrick's. Sponsored by the Rheinische, the Chorgemeinschaft Kai Mueller presented a find concert at St. Bartholemew's in New York City in 1993. When the Taubertäler von Dittigheim visited the U.S. in 1993, ein gemütlicher Liederabend (a pleasant evening with song) with the RSB was on the agenda. The German visitors are always surprised to learn how far some RSB members regularly travel to attend rehearsals. An ever increasing number of groups come from Germany every year for the Steubenparade and the RSB has hosted many.

The RSB has also enjoyed excellent relations with other groups closer to home. The Carlstadt Turnverein, which has an accomplished mixed chorus, has regularly attended RSB functions and held many fine affairs on its own. The generous people at Carlstadt have from time to time stepped in and lent the RSB a hand hosting visitors, in addition to providing a number of excellent voices. The Paterson Sängerbund, a fine chorus, regularly attends Rheinische functions and the Plattdeutsche Volksfest Verein has seldom in 25 years missed a Rheinische event. Along with other organizations celebrating their German-American heritage, the RSB has also proudly participated in the Steubenparade every September.

While appreciated here, the accomplishments of members also have not gone unrecognized in der alten Heimat. In the past 25 years, four form the chorus have received the Bundesverdienstkreuz (German Federal Cross of Merit): Fred Hoefer, Sr. and Heinz Kellermann, both in 1975, Walter Canther in 1980, and John Becker in 1981. As an active choral group, the RSB belongs to the Deutscher Sängerbund (German Choir Federation). The Goldene or Silberne Ehrennadel (honor pin) of the DSB has been presented to a number of the long-standing members of the RSB in recognition of their effots in the fostering of German Song.

The Rheinische has also honored its own. At his testimonial in 1973, Adolf Grein was designated Ehrenliedervater and Ehrenpräsident. In addition to his work for the club, it was through him, that the club gained his nephew, tenor Egon Schweppe. The title of Ehrenpräsident has been bestowed on other deserving individuals: John Becker, Heinz Kellermann, Walter Canther, Heinz-Werner Heinrich, and Walter Kattwinkel. In 1978 longtime secretary Fred Hoefer, Sr., who had also been a great president, was designated Ehrensekretär and Ehrenpräsident. Dr. Frank Dreyfuss was honored with the designation Ehrenprotokolsekretär (Honorary Recording Secretary). The long, faithful service of members has also been recognized through awards from the Nordöslicher Sängerbund. The RSB is affiliated with the Nordöslicher through United Singers of New York, which at present is comprised of the RSB and the Liederkranz New York.

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