The guardians of church music: The Cäcilienverein Dorfen has big plans

Created: 11/28/2022, 4:00 p.m

By: Michaele Heske

"The best sense of togetherness" - Chairman Arnold Holler (left) with honored and committed people in the Cäcilienverein (from 2nd from left): Anna Schmid, Doris Minet, Eberhard Wildgrube, Luise Kuliga, Susanne Holzner, Fred Simmerl, Gisa Weber, Pater Stephan Matula, Christine Röhrl, Ernst Bartmann and Veronika Jenisch.

© Michaele Heske

Arnold Holler has been re-elected as chairman of the Cäcilienverein Dorfen.

30,000 euros have already been collected for a new organ in St. Veit.

Dorfen

– Finally the singers can perform together again: “We experience the best sense of togetherness in the choir community,” said church musician Ernst Bartmann at the annual general meeting of the Cäcilienverein on Saturday evening in the Catholic parish home in Dorfen.

About this year again at the Christmas market or the Christmas fair.

The church musician announced that Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy's "Paulus Oratorio" would be the contribution to the city's anniversary next year.

"It's just so much fun being a choirmaster here."

The association has around 120 members, around half of which are active members in the traditional church choir, according to the re-elected chairman Arnold Holler.

One of the standards of the Dorfener Kirchensänger is the participation in the masses, especially on the high holidays.

"We're almost back to normal operations," explained Holler.

Because during the pandemic, big performances were not possible, neither last Christmas nor at Easter.

"Everything was on the back burner."

It was not until Whitsunday this year that the choir was back in full force on the gallery in the parish church and sang Mozart's "Spatzenmesse".

Other highlights: the oratorio "Johannes von Gott" for the 400th anniversary of the Brothers of Mercy and the memorial concert for Benno Meindl.

"Actually, all singers should be honored for their great commitment and loyalty," said Hollers.

For the first time, the Cäcilienverein honored members who had belonged to the church choir for more than 50 years.

Doris Minet, Fred Simmerl and Gisa Weber have been with us for 53 years, Marianne Heinisch for 55 years.

Luise Kuliga and Christine Röhrl have been singing in Maria Dorfen for 58 years, and Veronika Jenisch for 60 years.

Susanne Holzner did not stand again in the board elections.

"Although I'm Protestant, I was warmly welcomed by you - nobody asked about my denomination," she said.

Holler and Bartmann thanked her and also for the fact that she had always pushed the concerns of the Cecilians since the association was founded.

Instead of her, Hanna Ermann, also a Protestant, will take over as deputy chairwoman.

"I continue to fly the flag of ecumenism," she said.

Holler remained chairman of the association, treasurer Eberhard Wildgrube.

Secretary Anna Schmid was also confirmed again.

The board also includes choir director Bartmann and Father Stephan Matula.

According to Holler, Schmid has drawn up a financing plan for a new organ for the Marktkirche St. Vitus over the past few months “with fire and flames”.

The instrument will be an Italian Renaissance organ built according to historical models, unique in the Archdiocese.

300,000 euros must be collected for this.

The lawyer wrote to clubs and opened funding pots in the city and in the country.

She also started a pipe sponsorship campaign.

"We have already collected 29,000 euros," she reported.

Father Stephan rounded up: “30,000 – the parish council of Maria Dorfen would also like to sponsor an organ pipe.”