THE COMBINED CHORUSES
In the difficult years of World War II membership declined and there were not enough voices in the male chorus to present a balanced chorus sound. In order to continue their musical heritage, the men and women joined voices in rehearsals and in public appearances and became the Beethoven Combined Choruses as they are known today. After the war the choruses again grew in size and entered the State Saengerfests in the Mixed chorus category, winning several trophies for their joint efforts.
Herbert Fiss continued his exceptional direction and the Beethoven Choruses presented a number of outstanding sacred concerts in Lehigh’s Packer Chapel, Muhlenberg Chapel and the Brisson Chapel at Allentown College. A number of television, radio and recording sessions included two overseas broadcasts for “Voice of America” in 1951.
On November 18 and 25, 1975 a TV documentary produced by Vincent Kenny, the society historian, was shown on WLTV channel 39. This was a Bicentennial presentation of the history on the Maennerchor, The Waldheim, and the Beethoven Choruses using photographs, sound recordings and narrated commentary.
The singers traveled by bus to Virginia in August, 1976 and sang three performances in the Festhalle at Busch Gardens, the only amateur group to sing there. The next day they gave an outdoor concert at Jamestown Festival Park.
In the meantime the men and women agreed to operate with one staff of officers which made for more efficient management of chorus affairs.
After 44 years of masterful leadership, Herbert Fiss decided to retire. A testimonial dinner and farewell concert was held at the Waldheim on May 13, 1977. This marked the end of an era of choral excellence for the Beethoven Choruses.
In September, 1977, Robert Ormesher was appointed as choral director. His first assignment was a workshop and concert at the Pocono Environmental Education center. Director Ormesher is the originator of the popular Messiah Sing-Along concerts in the Salem Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. A series of sacred concerts in that church and other churches were directed by him as were a number of secular programs including a concert at the Northwest Junior High School. In September, 1981 he conducted the program for the 90th Anniversary celebration of the Maennerchor.
Donald Winzer was engaged as choral director in January, 1983. Because he directed several choruses of the United Singers of Philadelphia, the Beethoven singers were asked to join the group in a concert in the Philadelphia Academy of Music, April 10, 1983. This was a celebration of 300 years of German Music in America and was a memorable experience. Our choruses joined the Philadelphia group again on May 25, 1985 as a part of the massed choruses of 2,000 voices in the Franklin Plaza Hotel. This was the 42nd National Saengerfest of the Northeastern Saengerbund. Donald Winzer was the festival director.
The Beethoven Choruses received standing ovations for their appearances in Musikfest 84 and 85 in Bethlehem.
Director Winzer’s insistence on proper tone production was evident in the improved choral sound as heard in the sacred and secular concerts in the last several seasons.
It is the fervent hope of the singers of the Beethoven Choruses of Leithsville that they can continue the musical heritage of the original Maennerchor beyond the Centennial Jubilee.
Reprinted from the 95th Anniversary Celebration Program of the Beethoven Maennerchor.