Swiss Singers to close 150th season with ‘Armed Forces Salute’ May 19

The Toledo Swiss Singers, one of the area’s oldest singing groups, will close their 150th season at their spring concert May 19 with a tribute to the men and women, past and present, who serve America.

The concert, titled “Armed Forces Salute,” will feature patriotic songs, along with traditional Swiss songs. The special Sunday afternoon concert begins at 3 p.m. with an authentic Swiss menu sold à la carte following the performance at The Chalet at Oak Shade Grove, 3624 Seaman Road in Oregon.

The menu sold à la carte after the concert includes: German and Smoked Brats, Shredded Chicken Sandwiches, Sauerkraut, German Potato Salad, Alpine Macaroni and More, with Assorted Homemade Desserts. Cash Bar.

There will also be a special display of military memorabilia.

Concert tickets are $15, with $6 tickets for children under 13.

For tickets, call Elaine at (419) 206-0975.
Tickets also available at the door.

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About the Singers

Currently under the direction of Micah Graber, the choir has been a cultural staple in the Toledo area since 1869 — that’s 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 Singers perform two concerts annually, including a wide variety of traditional Swiss, Broadway, Gospel and American music, as well as a special performance in February.

The group is part of the North American Swiss Singing Alliance (NASSA), made up of 14 choirs from Canada and the U.S. Singers compete internationally every three years; the next competition will be held in June 2021 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.

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 from September to May.