Fort Wayne Mannerchor - Damenchor

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About Fort Wayne Mannerchor - Damenchor

Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor is a Men's and Women's choir dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their German heritage as expressed in choral music.

On October 4, 1869 the first German male chorus, established by German immigrants, was organized in Fort Wayne under the name of the Fort Wayne Sangerbund. Since its origin the chorus has been dedicated to the preservation and promotion of their German heritage as expressed in choral music.

Eventually, there were eight singing societies in the city: the Sangerbund, Eintracht, Concordia, Teutonia, Germania, Frohsinn, Lieder Tafel, and the Manner Gesangverein. In 1899 these eight choruses combined under the name of Concordia Gesangverein, which consolidated with the Saxonia Gesangverein in 1922. Four years later this consolidation became the Fort Wayne Männerchor. A Ladies’ Auxiliary was organized in 1938, but the ladies only began singing in 1974. In 1997 they became full members of the chorus and it became known as the Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor. The chorus joined the North American Sangerbund in 1871. On September 5, 1897 it became one of the founding members of the Indiana District. In November 1974, it joined the Southern Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana District, successor to the old Indiana District.

Originally rehearsals were held weekly at Strodel’s Saloon at Columbia and Barr Streets. Activities were held at various locations until 1922, when the chorus moved to a new location at 1804 1/2 West Main Street, where it remained for 79 years. On May 1, 2001 the Fort Wayne Mannerchor/Damenchor purchased a new home at 3355 Elmhurst Drive, known as “Park Edelweiss”. The building is used for rehearsals, concerts, meetings, picnics and other activities. Our facilities are also available for rent for any type of receptions, parties, and banquets.

Since 1936 the Fort Wayne Männerchor/Damenchor has participated in district conferences involving approximately 350 singers which are held each year in April or May. Every three years they are involved in the National Sängerfest, which has had as many as 4,000 participants.

On the occasion of its 100th anniversary the chorus received the “Zelter Plakette”, an award named after Carl Friedrich Zelter, the father of choral music in Germany. It is awarded by the German government to choral groups all over the world on the occasion of the celebration of 100 years of continuous German choral singing.

Because of their enthusiasm for German culture, members of the Männerchor/ Damenchor sponsor a number of traditional German activities every year. In the early days they held monthly dances. Today, they continue their interest in the preservation of German heritage with a full schedule of annual activities.