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March 27, 2008

Tradition of singing: Concert offers German folk songs, dinner

By Courtney Anderson

The Apollo Maennerchor celebrates its 138 years in existence and four 50-year choir members with a concert April 5 at the Sharon club.

Founded in 1870 by German immigrants to preserve their traditions and to keep their folk music alive, the social club has been in Sharon since 1914 and was located in what is now Hermitage before that, club Vice President Al Miller said.

Four men have been singing with the choir for half a century, said choir Chairman Tony Rickert. They are Paul Dobler of Hermitage, Anton Puhl of West Middlesex, John Pittmann of Poland, Ohio, and Nick Negovan of Poland, Ohio.

To be a member of the choir, which used to only allow male members, singers must be of German descent, Miller said. The 16-member group focuses on German folk music and hymns but also sings some songs in English, Miller said.

Miller joined the choir two years ago after moving to the area from Texas. He went to the club to check it out because he’s interested in his cultural heritage, he said. A waitress invited him to listen to the choir perform and Rickert asked if he wanted to audition.

Miller said he told Rickert “no,” but then Rickert asked if he was afraid.

“You don’t do that to a proud man,” laughed Miller, who was soon second tenor in the choir. He hadn’t sung before but now enjoys it “thoroughly,” Miller said.

“The down home folk songs we sing are very touching, even if you don’t understand the words,” Miller said.

Besides the singing, Rickert said getting together with friends is a big part of the fun.

“It’s like a brotherhood,” he said, noting that one-third of the chorus is older than 80.

Joining the Sharon choir at the concert will be Maennerchors from New Castle, Youngstown and Pittsburgh, Rickert said. Representatives from the Central Ohio Singers and the North American Singers Association, which the Apollo Maennerchor belongs to, will be on hand to present awards to the long-time members, Rickert said.

The April 5 celebration begins with a schnitzel dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the club’s home, 319 S. Dock St., the choir concert at 8 p.m. and a polka band and dancing afterwards.





For tickets, call the club at 724-346-5015 or pay at the door. A $14 donation includes dinner, the concert and dancing.

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