1868 - 2008

The Rondout Social Maennerchor was formed on February 22, 1868, by a handful of German immigrants who loved choral singing. They were drawn together by their common language, and love for music, singing, and social activities so that their clubhouse, "Washington Hall", became a gathering place for similar organizations up and down the Hudson River.

As immigration continued, membership in the Rondout Social Maennerchor grew. On January 26, 1887, the "Rondout Social Maennerchor", City of Kingston, was incorporated by the New York State Department of State. Unfortunately, some of the club's early records were destroyed in a fire so the names of the 61 members at the time of incorporation are unknown. Surviving records show that the membership increased to between 125 and 140 over the next decade.

The organization continued to grow, regularly participating in Saengerfests (song festivals) throughout New York State as gatherings of two or more societies were popular events. The outbreak of World War I brought about declining membership, and the club was forced to leave Washington Hall after a disastrous fire there. Fortunately, by 1918, the Rondout Social Maennerchor had revived, celebrating its 50th anniversary with its move to the McMillen Building on the Strand in the Rondout section of Kingston.

The club continued to use the building until the 1930's when membership had increased and finances improved enough to buy property on Greenkill Avenue in midtown Kingston. The dedication of the new clubhouse on February 4, 1940, was a time of optimism and hope for a renewal of the Maennerchor. However, club activities and concerts were sharply cut back during World War II and progress through 1947 was slow.

Real progress was made with the celebration of the Maennerchor's 80th Anniversary, marked by a joint concert with the Germania Singing Society of Poughkeepsie sharing in the festivities on February 21, 1948. Enthusiasm for singing had returned and the tradition of German choral singing in Kingston was firmly reestablished, as concerts have been given each year since then.

The Rondout Social Maennerchor had left its Rondout beginnings many years ago and the club members recognized the change by renaming themselves the Kingston Maennerchor, Inc., in 1950. For nearly 100 years the Maennerchor had remained exclusively a men's club, although they welcomed the Ladies Auxiliary, formed on March 16, 1932. The Ladies sang and consistently assisted the Maennerchor financially and socially. Their contributions to the well-being of the club were formally recognized on February 19, 1968, when the Ladies Auxiliary became an equal part of the Maennerchor. For the first time the ladies had the same legal rights, privileges, and obligations as the men. Thus was born the Kingston Maennerchor and Damenchor, Inc.

Membership continued growing during the next ten years, crowding the small clubhouse until the decision to build an addition was made. Construction of the exterior was done by local contractors, with the club members finishing most of the interior work themselves. The new hall was dedicated on May 14, 1978, as the club celebrated its 110th Anniversary.

In the summer of 1997 the Maennerchor again expanded, acquiring the property adjacent to the clubhouse. The building on the site was demolished and the property landscaped by club members before the dedication ceremony on October 11, 1998. Gartenfests and other outdoor events, as well as much needed parking, keep the property in constant use.

The Maennerchor and Damenchor has continued its musical heritage, benefiting from the unusual stability of having just three musical leaders in 50 years. Julius Hochmuth was director for more than 30 years, followed by Dorothy Narel for 7 years, and succeeded by John Galish, now in his 14th year as the "Dirigent."

In 1998, in celebration of our 130th anniversary, we traveled to Germany on our Wir Reisen Singend Durch Deutschland tour. We performed in three concerts: Benrath-Düsseldorf of the Rhine Valley, Elchesheim-Rastatt by the Black Forest, and Hepberg-Ingolstadt, Bavaria respectively. In 2002 we traveled and sang our way through Austria and southern Germany.

In 2003, we formed a children's chorus known as the Engelchor or Angels Choir under the leadership of Joan Arena and Helga Nowak-Razey and the Direction of Colin Carr. In celebration of our 135th Anniversary, we were honored to host the triennial statewide competitive singing convention, the New York State Sängerbund Sängerfest, for the first time in Kingston, Ulster County. We welcomed singers from around New York State to our Mid-Hudson Valley and Catskill Mountain region. The Engelchor joined with other children's chorus from Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, and Utica for the first Kinder Massenchor Konzert. And, oh yes, in competitive singing, Kingston won the First Place Trophy for Mixed Chorus, Second Class!

In 2004, after paying off the debt on our 1997 property acquisition we added a much needed storage facility behind the clubhouse. To honor a favorite friend, singer, and officer on her emigration to California we elected Dorothy Dottie Birmingham as an Honorary President. As our wanderlust began to stir, many of us traveled to Germany visiting our singing friends in Hepberg, Gundelfingen, Elchesheim, and Steinmauern.

In 2005, our singers, under the direction of our Dirigent, Dr. John Galish worked diligently in preparing for our 137th Spring Concert followed by performances at the Thompson House Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, the German Heritage Festival in New Jersey, a mini concert at our NYSSB Convention, and our Liederabend in November.

This brings us to a passing of an era. John Galish has finally retired from his position in New Jersey and he and his lovely wife Angela now make their home once again in Lake Luzerne. With more than 14 years of dedicated service to our chor, and more than 27 years with the New York State Sängerbund, John and Angela have begun a well-deserved vacation and retirement.

As our Engelchor matures, they want a more accurate portrayal as to who they are. So since January we have the Engelchor for 5 to 12 year old boys and girls, and the Jugendchor or Youth Chorus with a more advanced program of music and language for 12 to 17 year olds.

With the retirement of Dr. John Galish in 2005 our chorus was honored to be under the musical direction and tutelage of Mr. Frank Bosher, the Dirigent from the Troy Männerchor and Damenverein who graciously stepped in to guide us. Under his direction we worked diligently in preparing for the 33rd NYSSB Convention, in Binghamton. We are all very proud that our hard work and dedication paid off with the First Place Trophy for Mixed Chorus 2nd Class. This is the second consecutive time we won first prize in that category. Three years ago, under the direction of our Festdirigent Dr. John Galish we received the same award at the Sängerfest competition here in Kingston

This brings us to the passing of another era (Vol. 2). Dr. John Galish retired in 2005 (passing era Vol.1) and he and his lovely wife Angela make their home in Lake Luzerne (two hours plus away). During the interim, Mr. Frank Bosher traveled from his home in Burnt Hills, NY (1½ hours away) to give us musical direction for our concerts and prepare us for the Sängerfest. We thank them both for their dedication and loyalty to us during the last 15 plus years. Their work is honored, valued, and appreciated.

After diligent searching, for a local Choral Director, the Music Committee was able to contact Mr. Jerry Hoch, the Choral Director at Saugerties High School, to see if he was available to direct us. On August 30th 2006 Jerry and his lovely wife Delphine were introduced to the chorus and on a very special day, September 11th, Jerry began directing us.

As stated at the beginning of this chronicle of our history, the Rondout Social Maennerchor was formed on February 22, 1868, by a handful of German immigrants who loved choral singing. We were first incorporated in New York State on January 26th 1887. Since that time we have modified and transformed our name, purpose and goals and have reincorporated or revised and amended our Bylaws nine times.

On February 8th 2006 we received our Restated Certificate of Incorporation completing our 140 year evolution and metamorphosis as a social entity into a proactive cultural organization. Our principal purpose and mission is the preservation and promotion of German culture, heritage and tradition through music and song. Our many activities throughout the year are designed to help educate our community in the finer aspects of German culture, history, heritage and tradition. On 24 June 2006 the Kingston Maennerchor and Damenchor Inc. received our 501c3 Non Profit Tax Exempt designation from the United States Department of Treasury, Internal Revenue Service.