History of the male choir 1856 of Molsheim

This is the 21 November 1856, giving it the title of oldest Member companies of the city, that the "choir Sainte Cécile 1856 of Molsheim., men's Chorus, was born, driven by M. SIEFFERT, its first president.

In February 1857, the company adheres to the Association of Choirs from Alsace to which it is affiliated to the present day. In the same year, the choir has acquired its own flag, venerable banner is now at the Museum of Molsheim.

Men's Chorus presents itself in various competitions, especially in Paris 1859. The composer Edmund WEBER and Professor OBERDOERFFER, renowned musician, are honorary members.

The outcome of the war 1870 forced to the choir and a waiting period of inactivity, its interests being threatened by the 'Diktaturparagraph' and in 1887 the committee decided unanimously to resign. But the spark in the ashes smoldering. And 1891 reborn «Maennergesangverein Caecilia"until the great war of 1914-1918 forcing the choir rehearsals to suspend. But after the armistice, former members gather and restore the «Sainte Cécile choir». The 24 may 1936, celebrating the 80th birthday falls in Molsheim the Congress of the Choirs of Alsace. This was the last major event before the World War II.

A new recovery took place in 1947 under the chairmanship of M. Louis LAVIGNE tracking 1953 by M. ZIMMERMANN André Charles then ILLER. From 2004 until the beginning 2011, M. Bernard GUTH presided over training, having taken the name of 'CHŒUR of men '. 1856 of MOLSHEIM.. Thierry DECAESTEKER, hosted by the same enthusiasm as his predecessors, has taken up the torch since March 2011.

It is thanks to the skill and dedication of the various presidents and directors that our society continues to grow. Include post-war directors : MM. Leo Loeb, Marcel CRAMER, Joseph BURCKEL, Charles BENDER, Joseph MULLER, Gerard HOFFER, Christian MUNCH. The competence and enthusiasm of Dominique WICKER, hoisted the men's Chorus at a level allowing them to obtain in 2003 the 'Golden Cedar of the best concert of choir"and in 2012 the Oscar of the Golden Cedar. In October 2015, our men's Chorus received a golden pretzel, awarded by the Institute of the Arts and popular Traditions of Alsace. Since July 2022, Michel HILD took over the management. His sense of the right note in the right tone has made the choristers progress. The rejuvenated program, the chorus of men 1856 de Molsheim sails towards a new future !

The ceremonies of the 150th anniversary 2006 gathered 150 singers and musicians for a concert grand in the Jesuit church in Molsheim. The repertoire of the choir that goes from romantic to contemporary, from classical to folk, secular works in the sacred songs, allows it to occur in all circumstances. The singers perform regularly in Molsheim course, but also in neighboring municipalities and their voices have resonated at the Cathedral of Strasbourg, Notre-Dame de Paris, Le Corbusier at Ronchamp Chapel, in Saint Petersburg in 2012 where the choir participated in the international festival "SINGING WORLD", "The world sings".. Since, the chorus of men 1856 has accompanied and hosted many Slavic formations : the chorus of voices"of the Neva" originally from Saint Petersburg, the choir "Cantabile" native women's choir of Dmitrov in Russia, the chorus of women 'Rymski Korsakov"of Saint Petersburg, the choir the "voice of Orpheus' Bulgarian men's choir of Sofia. Musical moments which emotions and high vocal purity. We met some friends, also. Links are woven and we know maintain them.

The choir has been, in the course of these 168 years of, glorious periods but also inflicted by three painful conflicts that have been strained. Each time she has found the energy and men of worth it to take a new lease.

The singers have always had a cult of true friendship and believe that the choral, just like music, contributes to embellish everyday life and give him a certain calm and a spirit of nobility.

The repertoire of the choir that goes from romantic to contemporary, from classical to folk, secular works in the sacred songs, allows it to occur in all circumstances. The singers regularly perform where the wind blows them, that's to say, presque, everywhere we can sing in Alsace, in France and abroad.