About us
Collage of the Concordia Choir
25 Years singing with the Choir
Saengerfest 2010 in Nanaimo
The Concordia Choir, Vancouver is a mixed choir where not only songs are sung, but friendships are created and good times are had. Our choir was founded in 1976 by Hans and Lotte Hirsekorn to keep German folksongs and traditions alive, and to this day we still continue to sing in German, as well as many other languages. Our membership consists of about 40 singers, primarily German-born and German-speaking, but also includes others that enjoy choir singing. We practice on a weekly basis at the Vancouver Alpen Club (Deutsches Haus) under the direction of conductor Rory Fader, pianist Jennifer Ng, and president Karin Frank.
Throughout the year, not only do we hold concerts at our home base – the Alpen Club at Victoria and 33rd Avenue, but we perform at a variety of community concerts such as the annual benefit concert for the German Canadian Seniors’ Home as well as at VanDusen Garden’s Festival of Lights in December, at the PNE, and at the European Festival held the last Saturday in May. We also sing at the anniversaries of the founding of the Alpen Club and the reunification of Germany and several times at senior centers throughout the Lower Mainland. Many of our concerts are held in conjunction with other German choirs from British Columbia or the north-western United States. These get-togethers are often accompanied by an afternoon or evening of music and dance.
Concordia is one of 11 similar choirs belonging to a larger group, the North Pacific Association of German Choirs, founded in 1901 consisting of choirs from British Columbia, Oregon and Washington States. For almost a century these choirs have convened to share their love of music at a Sängerfest - a song festival held every two or three years. In 2008 the Concordia was proud to host this event in Vancouver where approximately 400 singers participated. The mass choir was truly something to listen to.
We always welcome new members to our choir. Our practices take place every Thursday at 8:00 until 10:00 p.m. at the Vancouver Alpen Club (Deutsches Haus) located at 4875 Victoria Drive, Vancouver British Columbia (Corner of Victoria Drive and 33rd Ave.).