The Kinderchor has been in existence for nearly sevety years, but its roots stretch still farther back. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries brought a wave of immigrants from Germany to the United States of America. They brought with them their cherished possessions, including their love for the Arts, especially their love of music. As a result, many singing societies were formed.In 1881 the German singing societies from across the United States gathered in Chicago for a “Festival of Song.” Encouraged by that event, the German singing societies in Chicago formed a “singers’ union” called The United Male Choruses of Chicago (Vereinigte Maennerchoere von Chicago) on October 10, 1881. Continued growth and success led to the establishment of the United Ladies’ Choruses of Chicago (Vereinigte Damenchoere von Chicago) in 1925.

Finally, in 1935 the united choruses of Chicago formed a children’s chorus: The German-American Children’s Chorus of Chicago (Deutsch-Amerikanischer Kinderchor von Chicago). Since then the Kinderchor has lived up to the hopes of its founders by preserving their ethnic heritage and passing on a love for German culture and song to generations.

Three men were instrumental in the founding of the Children’s Chorus: Karl Kraenzle, Herbert Seyfort and Rudolf Faller. They are recognized as the Founding Fathers of the Kinderchor.