When the Indianapolis Liederkranz, a German singing society, formed on July 4, 1872, there were roughly 6,500 German immigrants living in the city. Over a century later, the Liederkranz continues to celebrate German culture and music through its annual “Weihnachtskonzert,” or Christmas concert, celebration.
On Dec. 14, audiences will have two opportunities to celebrate the holiday season with the Liederkranz with a matinee performance at 3 p.m. and an evening show starting at 6:30 p.m. Both shows will include performances from the Damenchor or women’s choir, a joint performance by the men and women’s choir, a bell choir performance, a brass band and a special performance by storytellers. The choir groups will perform a mix of songs in English and German.
Weihnachtskonzert concert
🗓️ Dec 14. The matinee is 3-5:30 p.m., and the evening show is 6:30-8 p.m.
📍 Indianapolis Liederkranz, 1417 E. Washington St.
🎟️ Adults: $10, Children under 12: $5, children under 3 are free
Between the two shows, community members can grab cookies and punch and hear the Liederkranz German Band play on the first floor of the building located at 1417 E. Washington St., which the choir has performed in since 1912.
Cliff Chandler, president of the Liederkranz since 2005, said beyond spreading holiday cheer, the Weihnachtskonzert furthers the Indianapolis Leiderkranz’s mission of promoting and preserving German culture.
“When I started singing, most of the choir members were German immigrants, or at least second generation,” Chandler said. “Now, it’s less than half. The women’s choir has more German immigrants than the men’s does … but a few of the men have German genealogy, so that has helped draw them into the choir and the cultural aspect of it.”
Margit Ball, president of the Damenchor, emigrated from Ausburg, Germany in 1968. Ball helped start the Damenchor in 1997.
“I was drawn to the Liederkranz because of a love of music,” Ball said. “When I first arrived, there was only a men’s choir, and I suggested a mixed group but was told it had already been tried and it didn’t work out. We’ve been going since 1997 and have evolved since.”
In a city like Indianapolis, where so many can trace their lineage back to Germany, Ball said it’s important to keep German traditions and music alive.
For Dennis Gehlhausen, a 25-year member of the Liederkranz, the choir reminds him of his family. Now 78, Gehlhausen’s family immigrated to America from Germany five generations ago.
“The choir is important to families,” he said while tending bar on the second floor, as he often does on rehearsal nights. “For me, it reminds me of my dad. He would speak German around the house. This choir is just where my roots are at.”
If he had to describe the choir to someone, one word comes to Gehlhausen’s mind: gemutlichkeit, which means warmth, friendliness and good cheer. “It sums up the Liederkranz pretty well,” he says.
As Chandler’s wife, Loesje, directed the choirs during their weekly rehearsal, he reflected on what he hopes audiences get out of the Christmas shows.
“It’s a very welcoming group and we try to make everyone feel at home,” Chandler said. “The music transcends cultures. Even some of the German songs, the tunes will be familiar. People can expect a little bit of everything from these performances.”
Chandler said he hopes the community comes out to celebrate the holiday season, German music, and that those over 21 enjoy a pint at the bar.
“It’s a German club, the bar is always open,” he said with a laugh.
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