Figure 1.--The Sängerknaben vom Wienerwald (Little Singers from the Viennese Forest), like some other Austrian and German choirs, wear a sailor suit uniform.

The Austrian boys choir Sängerknaben vom Wienerwald, the "Boys Choir of the Vienna Woods, was founded more than 70 years ago, in 1921. It was organized in the Missionary Home of St. Gabriel in Maria Enzersdorf near Mödling south of Vienna. At first the Boys Choir sang primarily at church services and festivals organized by the Missionary Home of St. Gabriel, but later they began making concert tours through Austria and even through the neighbouring countries. So far, they have performed in nearly all European countries. In 1968 they had their first invitation to tour Japan, and on countless tours as far as South Korea, the Philippines, and the U.S.A., the Boys Choir of the Vienna Woods have found an enthusiastic audience.

History

The "Boys Choir of the Vienna woods" were founded more than 70 years ago, in 1921 - in the "Missionary Home" of St. Gabriel in Maria Enzersdorf near Mödling south of Vienna.

Performances

At first the Boys Choir sang primarily at church services and festivals in the Missionary Home of St. Gabriel, but later they began making concert tours through Austria and even through the neighbouring countries. So far, they have performed in nearly all European countries. In 1968 they had their first invitation to tour Japan, and on countless tours as far as South Korea, the Philippines, and the U.S.A., the "Boys Choir of the Vienna Woods" have found an enthusiastic audience. In 1998 the choir performed its 15th concert tour to Japan, and in the same year appeared for the first time by special invitation in the Kingdom of Jordan.

Music

The repertoire of the "Boys Choir of the Vienna woods" is extensive, including Gregorian Chant, the full range of sacred and secular choir music from medieval to modern, folk music, Viennese music, and jazz, pop, and rock-standards. Numerous commercial recordings, as well as performances in radio and television have demonstrated their artistry and musicianship.

Joining the Choir

Boys at age 7 years can join the choir. At the age of 7 years, promising young talents are admitted to the choir school.

Training

There, in the so-called `preparatory course³, they are thought the basics of musical theory and singing for a whole year. In playful exercises the foundation is laid for the joy of community and choral singing. In the following 2-year `training course³, the boys are given concentrated musical and vocal training. But the lessons are conducted in a fun atmosphere, so that the boys can develop a spirit of community.

Little performances in the neighbourhood are the reward for their efforts. After 3 years of training, the boys finally attain their big goal--membership in the Concert Choir. That is the choir that does the public performances. Three or four times a week the choir boys appear for rehearsals to study the extensive concert programme, but also to have fun in their spare time. During the school year, performances of sacred music in the Holy Ghost Church of the missionary home supplement the some 50 public concerts, the climax always being the 3 to 5 week concert tour in the summer holidays.

School

The choristers are educated in a private school under public law. Lessons are held in little groups in the afternoon. For their general education the boys attend ordinary schools, like other children, and live at home, but spend part of their time as choir boys in St. Gabriel.

Goal

The aim and the reward for their efforts have remained the same throughout the years: through singing to get to know foreign countries, people, and cultures, to bring joy to people, to stand on stage, and even to become "a little bit famous".

Uniform

The "Singerknaben vom Wienerwald" have kept the tradition of sailors suits. This seems a little stange today as Austria is now a land-locked country. As one HBC contributor writes, "Imagine all these boys "sailing" in the woods of Vienna!" This was not always the case, however, as Austria once had a navy--including battleships. Actually, however, sailor suit choir costumes are a realtively recent development dating only from the end of World War I. The sailor suit, however, is a popular style for boy choirs not only in Austria and Germany, but also Scandinavia.

Information and Purchases

We thank Winfried Windbacher with the Choir for leading us to information about the history and music of the Sängerknaben vom Wienerwald. The choir's recordings which can be purchased are available on their website.