Obernkitchen Children's Choir

ABC Wednesday
October 19th, 2016

The Letter is O for The OBERNKIRCHEN CHILDREN'S CHOIR

In Germany the Obernkirchen Children's Choir

is called

Schaumburger Marchensanger. 

translated as Schaumburger's Fairy Tale Singers.

The choir was founded by Edith Moller and Ema Pielsticker in 1949

for war orphans.

The choir received an invitation to participate

in the "international Eisteddfod" 

a choir competition in Llangollen, Wales.

They won first prize!

In 1953 a BBC radio broadcast of the choir's winning performance

of the song

Der frohliche Wanderer (The Happy Wanderer)

at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod

turned the song into an instant hit.

It stayed on the UK Singles Chart for 

twenty-eight consecutive weeks.

They made two appearances on the Ed Sullivan Show 

in 1964 and 1966.

The choir still exists today 

with new generations of singers continuing the work of its pioneers

The Old Steam Train

recorded in 1974

and a more challenging piece of music

by Rossini

More fascinating Os here at ABC Wednesday

with thanks to Roger, Denise, Leslie

and all their observant and obedient

helpers.....