By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Sunday, December 17th the Walpole German American Club, Boylston Schul-Verein (BSV), hosted Weihnachtskonzert: A Christmas Concert of German Carols with English Introductions. Registration opened up weeks before the event and they had a completely sold out show.
Members, family and friends gathered at the BSV around two o’clock to enjoy some light refreshments and a cash bar before the concert officially started. Hot apple cider, hot cocoa, pretzels, and clementines were served at every table while cake was provided towards the end of the evening. Each table within the room was beautifully set, as stunning Christmas decorations scattered the walls throughout.
This concert was performed by the BSV Sängerchor Boston which consists of about twenty five members. They are a mixed voice chorus who present German folk songs, art songs, and a few modern songs as well. Sängerchor Boston puts a lot of practice into their craft, rehearsing at the BSV every Tuesday from September to June.
With their Conductor Christopher Hodges, and their Pianist Kevin Lubin, Sängerchor Boston began their concert right around 2:30 pm with the Christmas song “Fröhliche Weihnacht Überall” (“Merry Christmas Everyone”). Chair of Sängerchor Boston IIse Lister then addressed the crowd stating, “Ladies, gentleman, and children, welcome to our concert of German Christmas songs. We the singers are very happy to have so many guests today, we truly do have a full house. We hope you sit back and enjoy the music!”
As the concert went on, Soprano Susan Thanas gave the English introduction before each song that they sang. She went on to mention, “Even though many of the songs we will sing today were composed many centuries ago, they are still sung in the present day every year in Germany and other German-speaking countries. Each song inherits the Christmas spirit, including songs about Christmas trees and lights, the season of Advent, the joy of the holidays and more.” The themes for each song included Advent and the Journey to Bethlehem, Annunciation and Worship, Nativity Songs, and A Visit from Santa Claus.
The entirety of the concert was truly magical, and as Soprano Olga Cox stated, “It’s the best Christmas concert there ever was!” They had a brief intermission, which included instrumental Cello music played by Conductor Hodges. There was also a very special visit by Santa Claus himself which the children were ecstatic about.
Overall, this Weihnachtskonzert was a huge success with everyone having a joyous time. Upon leaving this lovely concert, everyone was surely in the holiday spirit with Christmas right around the corner!
