Figure 1.--Some choir have traveling uniforms such as lederhosen has depicted in this 1957 film.

Some interesting movies have been made in Germany about boys choirs. The movies have been of uneven quality, but do show some details about the cotumes worn by choirs in Germany. The sailor suit is the most common costume, but lederhosden are also often featured.

Themes

The various movies dealt with all sorts of themes, both religious and secular. The love of music is one popular contining theme. The difficulties of qualifying for a choir, the dedication of the choir master, and relationships and mischieviouness of the boys are continuing themes. The choir costumes sometimes are involved with the theme.

Costuming

The German movies have depicted choirs in a wide range of costumes.

Traveling

Some choirs used to have traveling uniforms such as lederhosen or even sailor suits. Now many choirs just let the boys wear there regular clothes when traveling.

Performance

The movies have been of uneven quality, but do show some details about the cotumes worn by choirs in Germany. The sailor suit is the most common costume, but lederhosden are also often featured. Both long and short pants sailor suits and long and knicker lederhosen have been depicted. Several German choirs perform in sailor suits. I only know of one that performs in lederhosen. Several choirs perform in choral robes.

Individual Movies

Little information available yet on specific German films. While the Vienna Choir Boys in neighboring Austria have been the sublect of considerable attention, little attention has been given to German choirs. There have been some documentaries.

Unsere Schoensten Weihnachtslieder

Finding U.S. Standard (NTSC) video of European boy choirs has been almost impossible until now-- but here is a NTSC Release of the famous TOELZER KNABENCHOR of Germany! This delightful video was taped in Munich and has HI-FI Stereo sound. There are eight selections and each one has the boys performing in a different 'formation' with colorful religious paintings in the background. The native costumes worn by the boys are unique. You will also find their manner of singing different, in that on some selections, the boys turn and smile at each other while singing--as if they were around a campfire. Some short solos are featured, and one piece features a duet with a second-camera shot of the featured boys being superimposed above-left of the other singers. The selections are Christmas-- HOWEVER, since they are traditional European songs (instead of "Deck the Halls With Rudolph's Shiny Nose", and are sung in German.

Kleine Leute--Mal Ganz Grosz (1958)

The Schoeneberger Saengerknaben has been featured in at least one film. It was a German film, "Kleine Leute--Mal Ganz Grosz". We have some basic information about the movie. The film was not aboit the Choir itself. The Choir itself. The Choir only appeared in the film. There may have been only one scene and we do not know the context in which they were introduced in the film. We do not know if the The Schoeneberger Saengerknaben made any other films. The boys wear open collar white shirts with shirt black jackets and matching short pants. Notice the famous Berlin bear crest on the jackets.