The Syracuse Liederverein
German singing today in Syracuse has been preserved by maintaining two separate societies, the Syracuse Liederkranz and the Deutscher Gesangverein (a men’s German a capella group). In 1999 we joined societies to become the Syracuse Liederverein. As the oldest existing singing society in Syracuse, we originated on September 12, 1855.
We are currently affiliated with the New York State Sängerbund, which encompasses all of New York State except the metropolitan New York City area. In 1992, we hosted the 29th Sängerfest of the New York State Sängerbund where about 600 singers from 14 Upstate New York singing societies gathered to perform and compete. At this Sängerfest—and at the next one at Binghamton in 1995—our chorus won second prize in the Men’s Chorus competition. At the 100th Anniversary of the New York State Sängerbund at Utica in 1997, our chorus of 14 singers won first prize over much larger groups from Utica and Buffalo. At the 2000 NYS Sängerfest in Buffalo, the Syracuse Liederverein came in 3rd in the Ladies’ Division, 2nd place in the Mixed Chorus category, and 1st place in the men’s competition. In 2003, in Kingston, we won first prize in the Men’s Division, 3rd place in Mixed Chorus, and 4th place in the Ladies’ Division. In both 2000 and 2003 we received the traveling trophy for the most number of points by all choruses competing in 3 divisions.
The present members still preserve the traditions of the founders of the mighty Liederkranz Chorus and the hundreds of members who lifted their voices in German song and perpetuation of their heritage.
For more information, contact:
Debbie Thomas
315-699-6612
[email protected]