This file portion of www.watertownhistory.org website
[Saengerfest n. [G. sängerfest.] A festival of singers; a
German singing festival]
WATERTOWN'S
Watertown Daily Times,
Back
last year when the Daily Times published the "Faces and Places" book,
there were questions on several of the photos. But one photo in particular
raised questions of a number of people.
That
photo was of the old arch which stood just a few feet from our offices, at the
west edge of the
Questions
we have been getting about the arch centered around when it was erected, when
it came down and what was its purpose.
Well,
we did a little looking around and found some information which will help to
explain the arch, at least in part.
The
arch on
Saengerfest
was a gathering of German singing societies, and our community went all out,
including the construction of that arch at the entrance to downtown and also
decorations throughout the city.
We
found a report on the 1875 Saengerfest in the June 26 issue of the Watertown
Republican. We're going to include that report in our column today to give you
a "flavor" of what Saengerfest was all about. It was for these
celebrations that the arch was constructed.
What
we don't have the answer to is how long the arch remained. It almost sounds as
if the arch was dismantled after every Saengerfest, and then either brought out
again or a new one constructed at each event. But, the photo published above
sure looks like more of a "permanent" structure in downtown
Watertown.
Here's what the Watertown Republican of
|
"With
the exception of that portion of the programme allotted to Bach's musicians,
the concert was composed of home talent, and right well was the reputation of
Watertown sustained by all who participated. The singing of the Quartette
Club, led by Prof. Hoeper, was a marked feature of the evening's
entertainment, and called forth the hearty plaudits of the entire audience.
The chorus and solos by the Watertown Musical Society, Concordia,
under the direction of Prof. E.C. Gaebler, were finely rendered and
won warm testimonials of approval from all present. Mr. H.N. Hutchins of
Bach's band, gave some specimens of cornet playing, which for beauty of
execution and sweetness of sound, was seldom if ever before listened to by
our citizens. Mr. Hutchins is certainly one of the foremost cornet players of
this or any other country. The hospitalities of the city were extended to our
guests through the President of the council, J.T. Moak, Esq., who
delivered an address highly appropriate to the occasion, which was followed
by words of welcome from Philip Schmidt, Esq., in behalf of the
Watertown Musical Society, Concordia. Trains Friday night and Saturday
morning from all directions brought in full quotas of singers and visitors
until our streets were literally overrun with people, and our city presented
a scene of activity and bustle never before seen. The musical exercises on Saturday
were opened with a grand musical matinee at Turner Hall in the afternoon,
which was largely attended. The programme included fine selections from some
of the most eminent composers and all were rendered with grand effect. In the
evening the concert embraced the prize singing among the several societies
competing for prizes. The Saturday evening entertainment was, perhaps, the
most interesting of the series, and called out a larger audience than the
previous evening, the ball being crowded to excess. The contest among the
societies was the means of bringing out the fine singing from the members and
a deep interest was manifested over the result. The audience was treated to
some magnificent choruses, such as comes within the province of but few to hear.
The building fairly shook with the applause that was given as each society
withdrew after competing for the prize. Everything, however, passed off
harmoniously, and at the close the best of feeling prevailed among the
vocalists. After the concert, the hall was given over to conviviality and
enjoyment, and a happier or more sociable, and, withal, a more-decorus crowd
of people could not very well be imagined. Even in the noise and confusion
there was politeness and good feeling everywhere apparent. "Sunday morning excursion trains brought additional hundreds to the masses already assembled and enjoying themselves within the city. Sunday afternoon the great projective point for the singers and visitors was the Pic-nic and Concert of all the societies and orchestra, on Concordia Island. It is estimated that eight thousand people visited the park during the afternoon, and the festivities on the Island only closed as the shades of evening drew near. In the evening a grand ball took place at Turner Hall, the Turner Park being beautifully illuminated. Sunday night and early Monday morning witnessed the departure of vast numbers from the scene of their enjoyment and pleasure, but still a large portion lingered to participate in the closing exercises on Monday morning, consisting of the distribution of prizes, congratulations and farewells. The La Crosse society had the honor of carrying away the first prize. The second was bestowed upon the Freien Germeinde, of Milwaukee. The Freeport, Illinois, Society was awarded the third, and the Janesville Society received the fourth. Some of the societies, and among them the Watertown, Concordia, did not compete for prizes. "The
following Societies were represented at the Saengerfest: Milwaukee
Maennerchor. |
From
this report you can see that the Saengerfest was a pretty big deal when it was
held in Watertown. We were a huge German community (and to a certain extent we
still are!), and a logical site for a German music festival.
Text COPYRIGHTED by the Watertown Daily Times.
