MONROE - The 47th annual Swissfest of the Monroe Swiss Singers is set for 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3 in the Grand Hall of Turner Hall of Monroe.
The event marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Monroe Swiss Singers. In addition to the performance of authentic Swiss folklore music by the Monroe Swiss Singers, the Männerchor New Glarus, the Jodlerklub New Glarus, the Turner Hall Squeezebox Night Accordion Ensemble, and five charter members of the Monroe Swiss Singers will be honored.
In 1963, women's voices were added to the Turner Hall Swiss Club Men's Choir, creating the Gemischter Chor Monroe (Swiss Mixed Choir). Directed by Edwin Schuetze from 1963 through 1966, the choir originally had 19 members that included Margrit Affolter, Martha Bernet, George Brändli, Gottlieb Brändli Sr., Trudy Brändli, Ernest Halbheer, Gisela Halbheer, Ferdi Hilfiker, Leni Hilfiker, Fritz Maurer, Alfred "Shorty" Meier, Joe Rast, Sevi Rast, Brigitte Roeschli, Willie Roeschli, Trudi Thomann, Beatrice Weibel, Paul Weibel, and Franz Wicki. All but two of the members were emigrants of Switzerland.
Past directors included Christian Gafner, from 1966 to 1971; Betty Koehler, from 1971 to 1976; Marie Power, from 1976 to 1985, and Deborah Krauss Smith, from 1985 to present.
Over the years, the choir's membership has grown to maintain about 50 singers for the last 30 years. In 1968, the group's name was officially changed to Monroe Swiss Singers. The Monroe Swiss Singers won many awards over the years, including a gold rating and highest points in competition at last year's North American Swiss Singing Alliance Festival held in Kitchener, Ontario.
The early Swissfest programs were co-sponsored by the Monroe Swiss Singers and the Monroe Turners (gymnasts), and featured gymnastic routines in addition to authentic Swiss folk music. Much of the program was presented in the Swiss language. While today's programs features only musical performers and English is spoken, the format of current Swissfests are similar to past years.
The Keith Zweifel Band will perform from 4 to 8 p.m. The Ratskeller Restaurant will feature a special Swissfest menu following the program.
Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 in advance for adults, $1 for children in grades kindergarten through 12 and pre-schoolers are free. Tickets are available at the Turner Hall Ratskeller Restaurant or from any member of the Monroe Swiss Singers.
For more information, visit monroeswisssingers.org/swissfest.html.
The event marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Monroe Swiss Singers. In addition to the performance of authentic Swiss folklore music by the Monroe Swiss Singers, the Männerchor New Glarus, the Jodlerklub New Glarus, the Turner Hall Squeezebox Night Accordion Ensemble, and five charter members of the Monroe Swiss Singers will be honored.
In 1963, women's voices were added to the Turner Hall Swiss Club Men's Choir, creating the Gemischter Chor Monroe (Swiss Mixed Choir). Directed by Edwin Schuetze from 1963 through 1966, the choir originally had 19 members that included Margrit Affolter, Martha Bernet, George Brändli, Gottlieb Brändli Sr., Trudy Brändli, Ernest Halbheer, Gisela Halbheer, Ferdi Hilfiker, Leni Hilfiker, Fritz Maurer, Alfred "Shorty" Meier, Joe Rast, Sevi Rast, Brigitte Roeschli, Willie Roeschli, Trudi Thomann, Beatrice Weibel, Paul Weibel, and Franz Wicki. All but two of the members were emigrants of Switzerland.
Past directors included Christian Gafner, from 1966 to 1971; Betty Koehler, from 1971 to 1976; Marie Power, from 1976 to 1985, and Deborah Krauss Smith, from 1985 to present.
Over the years, the choir's membership has grown to maintain about 50 singers for the last 30 years. In 1968, the group's name was officially changed to Monroe Swiss Singers. The Monroe Swiss Singers won many awards over the years, including a gold rating and highest points in competition at last year's North American Swiss Singing Alliance Festival held in Kitchener, Ontario.
The early Swissfest programs were co-sponsored by the Monroe Swiss Singers and the Monroe Turners (gymnasts), and featured gymnastic routines in addition to authentic Swiss folk music. Much of the program was presented in the Swiss language. While today's programs features only musical performers and English is spoken, the format of current Swissfests are similar to past years.
The Keith Zweifel Band will perform from 4 to 8 p.m. The Ratskeller Restaurant will feature a special Swissfest menu following the program.
Tickets are $10 at the door or $8 in advance for adults, $1 for children in grades kindergarten through 12 and pre-schoolers are free. Tickets are available at the Turner Hall Ratskeller Restaurant or from any member of the Monroe Swiss Singers.
For more information, visit monroeswisssingers.org/swissfest.html.