Preface

Kudos go to the PARENTS of our Kinderchor members. If it wasn’t for their dedication, hard work, and their love for the German Culture in Music, this tour would have remained a dream.

It all started about six years ago after an invitation to sing in Columbus went kaput. That year about $5,000 was raised to send the Kinderchor to Columbus, OH. The parents worked hard raising that money and they weren’t going to just let it set there.

Several ideas were tossed around as to where the Kinderchor could travel. Florida, Orlando, Disney World was heard often in the conversation. But then, someone got the brilliant idea to have a Concert Tour to Germany.

In the midst of all the positive voices, there were those who said it would be too large of an undertaking and just not possible. Nevertheless, the parents received the support of the Vorstand (Board of Directors) and proceded to make plans.

In order to raise sufficient funds to totally cover the expenses of the children, the parents gave of themselves beyond the call of duty. This involved major raffles, the sale of Entertainment Books, and the major project of manning a tent at the Annual German Fest for three years and Car Washes.

There were also organizations and individuals who gave sizeable contributions to the cause. And by late 2000, we knew the tour would be a reality. We had hoped to go in 2001, but circumstances were such that it wasn’t practical.
So, under the Co-Leadership of Karla Schmidt and Irene Stoepler, plans for the International Concert Tour - 2002 were completed.

Our Director, Carol Himmel, assisted by putting together the plans for the last portion of our tour in Garmisch / Partenkirchen.

We were on our Way!

THEN:
09/11/01 !!
A day we will never forget.
A day that reminded us of our
PRIDE TO BE AMERICANS!

After the dust settled, we took a long, hard look at the possibilities before us. An easy matter to decide, it wasn’t. Much time, discussion, and deliberation was given to the question: Should we continue to plan to go, or postpone?

The decision was made:

We continued to plan as though we were going. If, down the road, it became necessary to postpone, we could always reverse our decision.Passports were ready, tickets were purchased, and the voices of the children were melodious at our 67th Annual Mother’s Day Concert in May.

Yes,
We Were Ready To Go!

And so, on June 19, 2002, thirty-three Choristers plus parents, grandparents, and friends made their way to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.

Here is a brief report:

The German-American Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Miss Carol Himmel, just returned from a very successful two-week concert tour in Germany. Thirty-three of the fifty members participated in the tour which began on June 19, 2002 and concluded July 3, 2002.

The children performed in four cities, Heppenheim, Schiffweiler, Neunkirchen, and Dagersheim. Each concert, hosted by a local choral group, featured individual and ensemble performances as well as presentations by the entire chorus. In Neunkirchen and Dagersheim the Children’s Chorus was received by the Mayors (Burgermeister) prior to or during the concert.

In addition to performing, the children were able to experience the history of Germany. Several cities were visited including the old Roman town of Worms, Heidelberg and its famous castle, and Cologne with its great cathedral. The children were thrilled to be able to climb the dark, sinister stairwells of ancient castle towers.

On the lighter side, the children excitedly toured a chocolate factory, went into the chilly depths of a working coal mine, and spent time in the Marklin Model Train Museum. In that Germany’s School Year is different from ours they were also able to visit several classrooms for a half day session.

The three days before returning to America were spent in the Garmisch / Partenkirchen area. While there they visited the Neuschwanstein Castle and had an opportunity to perform inside the castle for the tour guide. This was a very rare opportunity as there are very strict rules pertaining to the tours and participants.

The last feature of the tour was a trip to the top of Germany’s highest mountain, “Die Zugspitze”. After enjoying a fabulous lunch on the mountain the children were able to go outside and throw snowballs in July.
The last evening, July 2, 2002, was spent in Celebration of a Tremendous Tour.

Of course the children sang several impromptu tunes for the enjoyment of all the guests in the Forsthaus Hotel, Oberau, Germany.

It was a grand but also a melancholy time.

In the midst of celebration was the realization that the tour had ended. Seven persons were returning the next day for America. The remaining families had extended their stays from several days to a couple of weeks. After five years of planning and working, the tour had become a successful reality. And now we know it can be done, so who knows, we just might do it again.

Again, THANK YOU to all who helped to make this tour a success!