150 years of a love of singing: the Leipzig Teachers’ Choir invites you to a gala concert

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The Leipzig Teachers’ Choir is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, making it one of Leipzig’s oldest amateur choirs. And, naturally, this will be marked with concerts. In 1876, eleven men with a passion for singing founded the Leipzig Teachers’ Singing Society. Experienced conductors shaped it into a men’s choir that transcended traditional notions, notably Hans Sitt, a professor at the Leipzig Conservatoire from 1889, and, succeeding him from 1922, the young Thomas and Gewandhaus organist Günther Ramin.

Today’s Leipzig Teachers’ Choir comprises around 50 singers. For many years, they have maintained a broad repertoire: from madrigals to folk songs and humorous songs, from motets to masses, from songs for women’s and men’s choirs to song cycles and choral works with orchestra.

The choir gives regular concerts and, in 1998, was one of five Leipzig choirs selected for the Christmas CD released by Edition Sparkasse Leipzig. The Leipzig Teachers’ Choir produced its first CD in 1999. To mark the choir’s 140th anniversary, the CD ‘Live durchs Jahr’ was released in 2016.

The gala concert to mark the 150th anniversary will take place on Friday, 2 October, at 5.30 pm in the Alte Börse at the Naschmarkt. Alongside the Leipzig Teachers’ Choir, conducted by Kristian Sörensen, the performers will include Angelika Scheer on piano, soprano soloist Alba Vilar, and the Seume Quartet, comprising members of the MDR Radio Choir.

A number of prominent guests are expected to attend, including Skadi Jennicke, Deputy Mayor for Culture, as well as representatives of the Saxon and Leipzig Choral Associations. A small reception will be held on site following the concert.