The Tanunda Liedertafel is a 45-member male choir in
Tanunda,
South Australia
South Australia (commonly abbreviated as SA) is a state in the southern central part of Australia. It covers some of the most arid parts of the country. With a total land area of , it is the fourth-largest of Australia's states and territories ...
. Drawing its four-part (TTBB) singing material from traditional popular
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany (of or related to)
**Germania (historical use)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law
**Ger ...
culture. The group's origins date back to 1850, based on an entry in ''
The South Australian
''The South Australian'' was a newspaper published in Adelaide, the capital of colonial South Australia from 2 June 1838 to 19 August 1851. Between 1838 and 1844, it was published as The ''Southern Australian.''
History ''The Southern Australia ...
'' (10 January 1851).
Previously, the choir researchers had only been able to confirm back to 1861 based on a surviving music book case with the words ''Tanunda Liedertafel 1861'' painted on its metal lid, and a report in the ''
South Australian Register
''The Register'', originally the ''South Australian Gazette and Colonial Register'', and later ''South Australian Register,'' was South Australia's first newspaper. It was first published in London in June 1836, moved to Adelaide in 1837, and f ...
'' of a concert in Tanunda dated 22 October 1861 .
The members were also instrumental in the formation of a "German Club" in Tanunda in 1855, proving the continuous nature of the choir from 1850 to World War 1.
The choir was re-organized in 1920 and, aside from an interruption caused by
World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
has been active ever since, primarily in Tanunda and
Adelaide
Adelaide ( ) is the capital city of South Australia, the state's largest city and the fifth-most populous city in Australia. "Adelaide" may refer to either Greater Adelaide (including the Adelaide Hills) or the Adelaide city centre. The dem ...
. Along with third- and fourth-generation German-Australians, the group includes singers with Dutch, British, Polish and Irish backgrounds. Given the nationalities of the members, nearly 50 percent of the material sung is in English or Latin (where tradition dictates).
Many of their performances are for charity. An annual event is the ''Kaffee Abend'' in mid-November (October 2013 being the only known exception). Over the years, fundraising concerts have raised finances for the (now) Tanunda Hospital, and very substantial funds for the original construction and later extensions for the (now) Tanunda Soldier's Memorial Hall. Another worthy recipient was the United Nations Appeal for Children (U.N.A.C.).
The
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is the national broadcaster of Australia. It is principally funded by direct grants from the Australian Government and is administered by a government-appointed board. The ABC is a publicly-own ...
has recorded the Liedertafel several times since 1932. The choir first performed on television in 1961 for its centenary. It has also appeared on programs broadcast in Germany.
In 1963, Tanunda Liedertafel performed for
Queen Elizabeth II
Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary; 21 April 1926 – 8 September 2022) was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from 6 February 1952 until Death and state funeral of Elizabeth II, her death in 2022. She was queen ...
in
Elder Park
Elder Park is a public open space in the city of Adelaide, South Australia on the southern bank of the River Torrens and that is bordered by the Adelaide Festival Centre and North Terrace.
The park is named after the Elder family who wer ...
, Adelaide. In 2001 it performed in Adelaide for
US President
The president of the United States (POTUS) is the head of state and head of government of the United States of America. The president directs the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United Stat ...
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson Clinton ( né Blythe III; born August 19, 1946) is an American politician who served as the 42nd president of the United States from 1993 to 2001. He previously served as governor of Arkansas from 1979 to 1981 and agai ...
.
Awards have included the
Zelter Plaque
The Zelter-Plakette (Zelter Plaque) is a German national award for choirs, founded in 1956 by President Theodor Heuss.
History
The plaque was designed by the Cologne sculptor Heribert Calleen. The opening words of the decree of 7 August 1956 ...
(1980).
The choir also attends
Saengerfest(s), this is where groups of choirs (similar to the Tanunda Liedertafel) come together for a weekend of traditional German and Austrian song. The first of these was held in Tanunda in 1874, then again in 1991 and again in 2011. A more recent Saengerfest was held in Canberra, Australia in October 2014.
Practices are held for two hours each Tuesday night, at The Tanunda Soldier's Memorial Hall (Barossa Gallery) eleven months out of the year (although members are no longer fined three pence for tardiness, or six pence for non-attendance).
References
External links
Brief history of Liedertafel "South Australian Register" report of concert in Tanunda "South Australian Register" article on a meeting of Germans in Tanunda
{{authority control
Australian choirs
Culture of South Australia
Musical groups established in 1850
1850 establishments in Australia
German-Australian culture