History of the MGV Lyra Men’s Choir
A group of interested singers, including Adolf Fluested, Paul Flock, Hans Hirsekorn, Willy Pfortmueller, Kurt Schaefer, Thomas Spann and Richard Wolf, met in the Alpenclub in late 1964 to prepare the ground for the formation of a male choir, after the Alpenclub Mixed Choir dissolved. It was decided to begin in earnest in January 1965 as a group of “singing soccer players: Gerd Koenig, Hans Poggenpohl, Norbert Schottky, Willi Soehn, Eddie Ternes, Tony Ternes, and Willi Ternes, as well as the infamous group of Biltmore Musikanten, consisting of Alfred Knauer, Horst Kuehn, Wolfgang Kuehn, Otto Picha, Ewald Wiese and Harald Zimmermann, plus Alfred England, Wolfgang England, Lothar Hirt and Hans Rosenfeldt. Tuesday became the official rehearsal day, as Wolfgang England sang with another choir on Mondays. Alfred Knauer, an accomplished violinist, who had honed his skills in a Russian POW Camp, was appointed as the first conductor. During his tenure the choir acquired the nickname of “Kneaders Barden” – Bards as a result of an article written by Herbert Winter for the German newspaper.
50th Anniversary Concert
First Choir – Orpheus Choir –
The Vancouver Orhpeus Male Choir is part of Vancouver Canada’s thriving community choir scene. They formed in 1992 for men of all ages who enjoy singing, popular songs from many times and lands, including Broadway Showtunes, spirituals, sea shanties and rousing male voice classics. Their concert songs were:
- Sixteen Tons
- Working Man
- I’se the B’y
- The Black Fly Song
- Four Strong Winds
- Northwest Passage
- Hallelujah
- Dear Land of Home
Concordia Choir
The Concordia Choir Vancouver was founded in 1976, so next year is their 40th Anniversary. Their choir is decimated to share their beloved German songs and culture with others in Vancouver’s multicultural society. At the same time, they enjoy the friendships and “Gemuetlichkeit” that are so much part of their group.
- Capri-Fishcher
- Sonne Jamaikas
- Grüß mir die Reben
- Rot sind die Rosen
- Die kleine Kneipe
- Ein Likoerchen für das Frauen hoerchen
MGV Lyra Songs
The 50th Anniversary Black Forest Cherry Cake standing in front of original members of the choir who had been singing for 50 years!
- Jaegers Lust
- Im Abendrot
- Stief ich den Berg hinauf
- Freude am Leben
- Das Elternhaus
- Fliegermarsch
- Pferde zu vieren traben
- Kosakenritt.Sergio
elke porter
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About the Author

elke porter
Elke is a connector, a promoter, a writer and a blogger who loves to build community, attend events and network with other entrepreneurs. Whether you need help with advertising, public relations, social media or communications, she is there for her clients.