Saengerfest 2018: Sounds of Switzerland coming to the Valentine Theatre June 30

The sounds of alphorns, yodeling and cowbells will fill the Valentine Theatre in must-hear events on Saturday, June 30.

Hundreds of singers from more than a dozen choirs from across North America will present an international showcase of Swiss culture at the Saengerfest 2018 Grand Concert at 7 p.m. June 30, on the historic stage of the Valentine Theatre, 410 Adams St. in Downtown Toledo. 13abc’s Tony Geftos will serve as the Master of Ceremonies. The Toledo Swiss Singers’ Micah Graber will conduct.

The groups will also compete at a Prize Singing Competition at 1 p.m. earlier in the day, also at the Valentine.

Both events are open to the public. Tickets are available through the Valentine Box Office online and via telephone, 419-242-2787.

The events are part of Saengerfest 2018, an international Swiss singing and yodeling festival, and hosted by The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups.

The Singers are part of the North American Swiss Singing Alliance (NASSA), made up of 14 choirs from Canada and the U.S. Hundreds of singers from around North America will descend upon the Glass City for the long summer weekend, beginning Thursday, June 28, and running through Sunday, July 1.

The most recent competition and festival was held in June 2015 in New Glarus, Wis. The Toledo Swiss Singers brought home gold and silver prizes from the competition.

Visiting choirs are staying at the newly renovated Renaissance Toledo Downtown Hotel, reserving a majority of the more than 240 rooms. The choirs will socialize, meet and gather inside the hotel ballrooms, as well as prepare for the competition and Grand Concert singing.

With Toledo in the international spotlight, the Singers hope many from near and far will join them for an unforgettable festival and Grand Concert on June 30.

Find more information on the special website www.Saengerfest2018.com.


About the Singers
Currently under the direction of Micah Graber, the choir has been a cultural staple in the Toledo area since 1869. This year, the Singers will mark 150 years of celebrating Swiss culture in the area. The chorus in its current form has been around since 1924. Its aim is to retain and preserve the culture and songs of Switzerland, to live up to the singers’ ancestors’ tenets of faith and behavior, help others, and to be good citizens.

The nonprofit organization is also part of the larger German American Festival (GAF) Society, which most people associate with the festival held annually in August. The society consists of seven German-speaking societies. During the festival, the Singers set up and operate the Swiss Cheese Haus, along with the Stein Stossen contest. The GAF Festival draws more than 30,000 people on an average weekend and is the largest ethnic festival in this part of the country.

The Swiss Singers practice Wednesday evenings at 7:30 at Oak Shade Grove.