Holiday Greetings to all,

As we reflect during this holiday season we are reminded of all the blessings bestowed upon us this year. 2007 has brought us all both joy and sorrow. Some of the exciting moments include the Spring concerts in May, held by many choruses around the state, and an exhilarating weekend in October at the Annual Convention in Poughkeepsie followed by another round of Fall concerts and events.

Sprinkled throughout the year were Gartenfests, Bierfests, and Oktoberfests! Congratulations to all who held celebrations of our German heritage and traditions. A final well done and vielen dank to the Utica Männerchor for hosting the April Bundes Music Committee and to the Germania Singers of Poughkeepsie for hosting our Annual Convention in October.

I would like to thank Gail Miller for her generous donation to help offset the cost of the NYSSB and member vereine websites. Her gift will allow us to stay informed and united in our goal to promote and advance German culture and tradition through music and song.

Calendar of Events for 2008: To help all member societies be more aware of the events occurring around the state, please send or e-mail your 2008 calendar to me at hkoelmel@hvc.rr.com and I will compile and add the information to our NYSSB website www.nyssb.org. If you happen to visit one of our Sängerbund cities, please support our fellow members' events and activities.

Please mark your calendars with these major Sängerbund events:

The Utica Männerchor will host the next BMC Meeting on Sunday 27 April 2008

The Buffalo Schwaben Chor will host the next NYSSB Convention on 18-19 October

We look forward to meet and greet you at all these future events.

In closing, Linda and I are especially grateful for all the warm hospitality and friendship extended to us throughout the year. May this holiday season of holy joy, touch your hearts and bring peace to your souls. Zum bevorstehenden Weihnachtsfest senden wir Euch die besten Glueck und Segenswuensche. Fröhliche Weihnachten und ein glückliches Neues Jahr gefüllt Mit Hoffnung, Friede, und Heiterkeit.

Mit freundlichen Sängergrüßen und Kameradschaft,
verbleiben ich Euer Sängerbruder und Freund,

Hermann Alfons Koelmel