MONROE - "We're supposed to be the Swiss Chicks," Martha Bernet said, causing the audience at the 51st Annual Swissfest on Sunday afternoon to erupt in cheers and whistles. "But the more appropriate name would be two old hens."
Waves of laughter rolled through Turner Hall and transitioned into the familiar accordion music played by duo Bobbie Edler and John Waelti. Bernet, along with her other half, Marian Kundert, performed cheerful melodies "Neine geits so schoen u lustig" (Nowhere is it so Beautiful and Happy) and "Morgengluehen" (Morning Glow). Dressed in traditional Swiss dresses, Bernet's and Kundert's yodeling appeared effortless.
Not even Kristen Dobson, Kundert's daughter, has tired of their performances.
"It's really fun watching her," Dobson said.
Dobson has volunteered at Swissfest for the past five years and been in attendance almost every year. Not only is her mother involved, but her father, Jack Kundert, was also part of the Swiss Singers before he died.
"I'm very proud of my Swiss heritage," she said. "And I love to share it with others."
Also volunteering with Dobson was Mary Friedrichs, who isn't Swiss but has made good friends with people who are involved with the Swiss Heritage Series and even went with the group to Switzerland earlier this year. Friedrichs said her favorite part about Swissfest is the variety.
Deb Krauss Smith directed the Swiss Singers while they sang in French, Swiss, German and Italian harmonies, as well as a song in the rarely heard Romansch language. More than 100 people packed into Turner Hall to watch the performances Sunday, which included a special appearance by the Madison Mannerchor.
Men in Swiss attire, including black jackets with intricate detailing and short, flat-topped black hats, approached the front of the stage carrying alphorns. When the Green County Alphorns began their performance, powerful notes filled the room, reminiscent of their vibrations throughout the Swiss Alps.
The performance was not without some heavy hearts. Krauss Smith opened the program by dedicating the show to Gottlieb Brandli Sr., a charter member of the Swiss Singers, New Glarus Yodel Club and Mannerchor who died the day before the event. Brandli's obituary is on today's Page A2.
The next Swiss Heritage Series events will be Squeezebox Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Ratskeller Restaurant, and Christkindlmarkt (Old World Holiday Market) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24-25 at Turner Hall.
Waves of laughter rolled through Turner Hall and transitioned into the familiar accordion music played by duo Bobbie Edler and John Waelti. Bernet, along with her other half, Marian Kundert, performed cheerful melodies "Neine geits so schoen u lustig" (Nowhere is it so Beautiful and Happy) and "Morgengluehen" (Morning Glow). Dressed in traditional Swiss dresses, Bernet's and Kundert's yodeling appeared effortless.
Not even Kristen Dobson, Kundert's daughter, has tired of their performances.
"It's really fun watching her," Dobson said.
Dobson has volunteered at Swissfest for the past five years and been in attendance almost every year. Not only is her mother involved, but her father, Jack Kundert, was also part of the Swiss Singers before he died.
"I'm very proud of my Swiss heritage," she said. "And I love to share it with others."
Also volunteering with Dobson was Mary Friedrichs, who isn't Swiss but has made good friends with people who are involved with the Swiss Heritage Series and even went with the group to Switzerland earlier this year. Friedrichs said her favorite part about Swissfest is the variety.
Deb Krauss Smith directed the Swiss Singers while they sang in French, Swiss, German and Italian harmonies, as well as a song in the rarely heard Romansch language. More than 100 people packed into Turner Hall to watch the performances Sunday, which included a special appearance by the Madison Mannerchor.
Men in Swiss attire, including black jackets with intricate detailing and short, flat-topped black hats, approached the front of the stage carrying alphorns. When the Green County Alphorns began their performance, powerful notes filled the room, reminiscent of their vibrations throughout the Swiss Alps.
The performance was not without some heavy hearts. Krauss Smith opened the program by dedicating the show to Gottlieb Brandli Sr., a charter member of the Swiss Singers, New Glarus Yodel Club and Mannerchor who died the day before the event. Brandli's obituary is on today's Page A2.
The next Swiss Heritage Series events will be Squeezebox Night from 6 to 8 p.m. Nov. 14 at the Ratskeller Restaurant, and Christkindlmarkt (Old World Holiday Market) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 24-25 at Turner Hall.