History
From Victoria’s earliest settlement by Europeans, German immigrants and their descendants became a continuously growing and major part of Victoria’s community.
In the 1850’s an influx of approx. 10,000 Germans during Victoria’s Gold rush caused German to be the second most spoken language on our Gold fields.
During this period, the German’s love of music led to formation of the forerunner of the Liedertafel Arion Men’s Choir, then known as the Turn Verein Liedertafel.
Turn Vereine { Sport’s Clubs ] then functioned much like the YMCA by offering indoor recreational sport and educational, artistic, literary, social and cultural activities .
Liedertafel members participated in celebrations for the separation of the Port Philip District from NSW, and with the German Association hosted a farewell party for members of the ill fated Bourke and Wills expedition. The latter expedition included three Germans , being Ludwig Becker, Herman Beckler and Wilhelm Brahe.
In 1896 the Turn Verein Liedertafel, following amalgamation with another German Choir adopted the name Liedertafel Arion. The word Arion was derived from Greek mythology where a classical Lyre-Poet is credited with creating a Greek Chorus.
Following cessation of war activities in 1945, Fred Ziegler,a former member of the Vienna Mozart Boy’s Choir gave Liedertafel Arion a new impetus as its Conductor.
Since that time Liedertafel Arion held the first Sanger-fest in Victoria in 1970, toured interstate and also performed overseas to great acclaim in Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and New Zealand.
Every year we hold popular concerts , perform in churches, Retirement Homes and other venues . We celebrated our 150th Birthday with a major sell out concert at the Centre Ivanhoe, Heidelberg.
Our repertoire includes German folksongs, contemporary and classical works sung in German or English.
We are the most active Group in the German Club Tivoli at 291 Dandenong Rd. Windsor ,supported by partners , families, friends and the public.
Liedertafel Arion continues to play a significant role in celebrating in song its musical heritage for the enjoyment of all.
In the 1850’s an influx of approx. 10,000 Germans during Victoria’s Gold rush caused German to be the second most spoken language on our Gold fields.
During this period, the German’s love of music led to formation of the forerunner of the Liedertafel Arion Men’s Choir, then known as the Turn Verein Liedertafel.
Turn Vereine { Sport’s Clubs ] then functioned much like the YMCA by offering indoor recreational sport and educational, artistic, literary, social and cultural activities .
Liedertafel members participated in celebrations for the separation of the Port Philip District from NSW, and with the German Association hosted a farewell party for members of the ill fated Bourke and Wills expedition. The latter expedition included three Germans , being Ludwig Becker, Herman Beckler and Wilhelm Brahe.
In 1896 the Turn Verein Liedertafel, following amalgamation with another German Choir adopted the name Liedertafel Arion. The word Arion was derived from Greek mythology where a classical Lyre-Poet is credited with creating a Greek Chorus.
Following cessation of war activities in 1945, Fred Ziegler,a former member of the Vienna Mozart Boy’s Choir gave Liedertafel Arion a new impetus as its Conductor.
Since that time Liedertafel Arion held the first Sanger-fest in Victoria in 1970, toured interstate and also performed overseas to great acclaim in Germany, Austria, Northern Italy and New Zealand.
Every year we hold popular concerts , perform in churches, Retirement Homes and other venues . We celebrated our 150th Birthday with a major sell out concert at the Centre Ivanhoe, Heidelberg.
Our repertoire includes German folksongs, contemporary and classical works sung in German or English.
We are the most active Group in the German Club Tivoli at 291 Dandenong Rd. Windsor ,supported by partners , families, friends and the public.
Liedertafel Arion continues to play a significant role in celebrating in song its musical heritage for the enjoyment of all.