Minutes from the Old Days 
1860

Hamburg Hotel - venue of the ALT's practices in the earliest days (cr Rundle St & Gawler Place)

NOTES:

* The "Mr Wedemeyer" referred to in these pages was the proprietor of the Hamburg Hotel. He was not a member of the ALT.

* Apparently the choir conducted committee meetings and general meetings after practices in those days.  It appears that choir practices were popular attractions, and always attracted an audience. The public was excluded from practices until 9pm, when the doors were opened and the general public allowed entry. The choir would then put on a few songs before proceeding to the bar. This practice is still followed today, except that members of the public (aside from our faithful wives) don't seem to be too interested in attending practices, and that the members frequent the bar before practice instead of after ...

After the singing concluded the members withdrew into the next room for a deliberation. Mr. Braun asked what will happen to members that have not signed up? He then was asked to speak to these members and request their signature.

A discussion then followed about the proposed flag or banner. Some members prefer a flag instead a banner. Mr. Armbrüster asked that members refrain from any hasty decision for now and to wait till next Tuesday. He then will produce a drawing and put it to the members. Mr. Meier brought forward a motion to accept the proposal, it was seconded and all members accepted this.
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Adelaide 25th January 1860
Mr. Linger brought the songs No. 13 & 23 as well as the 2^nd part of the “Orpheus“ in for discussion. The songs are: "Ich bin nicht gern allein" (I don’t like to be alone) and “Ein Leben wie im Paradies“ (A life in Paradise). After choir practice the committee adjourned to the next room and discussed a letter from Mr. von Einem, which Mr. Linger had received. The Liedertafel was asked for their assistance, for Monday 30^th at the Port Adelaide Institute, at a Soiree. After lengthy discussion it was agreed that:

1. The Institute shall bear the cost of transport to and from the venue as well as the refreshments.
2. Mr. Linger then was asked to reply to this letter as well as allocating some appropriate music for this occasion.

H. Ohleman has not yet given an indication for his membership, because he may be leaving Adelaide due to work commitments. =============================================================================

Adelaide 7th February 1860
Mr. Schultz was accepted as a new member for the Liedertafel in the 2^nd Bass.

Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 14th February 1860
Mr. Seeger was proposed by Mr. Math as a new member for the second Tenor.

Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 21st February 1860
Mr. Bartels apologised for not being able to attend today´s practice. He was needed in his business.

Mr. Seeger was accepted as a new member in accordance with the constitution.

In the next room, a letter addressed to Mr. C. Linger and the "Deutsche" Liedertafel was read out. In this letter the Port Adelaide Institute thanked them for their support at the recently celebrated “Soirée“ evening. Also it was hoped that the Liedertafel in future will be able to support them again.

Then the topic was changed to more unpleasant business. In recent times the following matter came to the committee's attention. Some unknown individuals have turned up to the choir practice. The committee must address this instantly. In the future no other persons than the singers shall be permitted [in the practice room]  before 9pm, and after this time only guests introduced by the members. All present voted unanimously to accept this decision. There was also to be a list of the registered guests. Mr. Wedemeyer accepted the decision of the committee.

Mr. Ziegler then read a parody of Mr. C. Lingers “Song of Australia“ in the German language and asked Mr. Linger (who liked it) to write a parody melody for it. After this Mr. Linger suggested the song: “Wer hat dich du schöner Wald" by Mendelssohn – Bartholdi for the Liedertafel to practice. It was unanimously accepted and Mr. Braun was given the honour of writing the music for each voice (the choir still sings this song today, except that we know it as "Der Jäger Abschied").

(Johann Friedrich Martin Armbrüster married Maria Sophia Rosenheim at the Adelaide Registry Office in March 1860. Based on what's contained in the above minutes entry it was probably on Saturday 10th. They had three sons and two daughters born between 1861 and 1870 while living in Wakefield Street East. Sophia died in 1885 aged 49, and Frederick was remarried at the age of 66 to 44 year-old widow Emma Hermina Richardson née Esselbach (1850-1929) at her father’s home in Stepney. More details about JFM Armbrüster here.) 

Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 13th March 1860

Nothing to report. Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 20th March 1860
Mr. Schierenbeck proposed the song: “Die Himmel Rühmen“ for the choir to practice. The song was accepted by all (and is still sung by the choir today)

Present were 18 members.
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Following the death of our conductor's wife on Saturday, 10 singers came together on Sunday evening. The former singer Mr. Ohlemann visited from Kapunda to support the group. They practiced two songs: “Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rat“ and “Die Himmel Rühmen“ for the funeral. At 10am the next morning they assembled at the cemetery where they sang “Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rat“ when the coffin was set up and “Die Himmel rühmen“ when it was lowered into the grave. Mr. Linger extended a warm thank you through Mr. Braun to the Liedertafel. He was very emotional when the Liedertafel sang “Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rat“. Mr. Braun spoke to Mr. Linger and informed him that Mr. Schierenbeck will take over [next Tuesday's] practice and he should have the day off. 14 singers and Mr. Ohlemann were present at the practice.

In the afternoon the Liedertafel kept their promise to sing at the Königsschiessen ("King's Shoot") at Glen Osmond. They hoped to have a few enjoyable hours there, but were very disappointed as there was no warm welcome as on past occasions. Even so, the choir did its best but the atmosphere was frosty and unsatisfactory.
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Adelaide 17th April 1860
Mr. Linger thanked the Liedertafel once more in person for the honour extended at the funeral of his wife. Mr. Schierenbeck introduced the song: “Droben stehet die Kapelle“ to the choir and Mr. Braun seconded. It was voted on and was accepted.

Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 20th April 1860
Last night the Liedertafel came together to discuss the funeral arrangements on Friday at 3pm, for Madame Maraun [wife of 2nd tenor Maraun]. The members decided to sing two songs at the grave. The Hymn: “Jesus meine Zuversicht“ and ”Es ist bestimmt in Gottes Rat“ were selected. When the coffin was lowered they sang the hymn and afterwards the second song. After this each singer made his way home.
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Adelaide 24th April 1860
Mr. Braun read a letter from Mr. Maraun to the Liedertafel. He thanked them for their contribution at his wife´s funeral. Mr. Reinhardt suggested the following song: “Auf ihr Brüder, lasst uns walten“ seconded by Mr. Schierenbeck. The members voted and accepted the song for the next practice.

Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 1st May 1860
After practice the audience was politely asked to vacate the hall, [and the Liedertafel] had a meeting. Mr. Ziegler took the chair as speaker for the Liedertafel. He put forward to all present the following motion: It was time that the German Club, Liedertafel and Schützengesellschaft (shooting society) amalgamate into one association. And, if the present attendance should come to a preliminary decision, it would have to be forwarded to the respective groups and organise a committee of three people to represent them. The Liedertafel voted the following: Mr. Schierenbeck 14 votes, Mr. Ziegler 12 votes, Mr. Reinhardt 10 votes. All three accepted their nomination. At the same time the Liedertafel elected a committee of 5 people to organise the upcoming Stiftungsfest (Jubilee of the choir) as follows:

Mr. Braun 14 votes;
Mr. Eitzen 11 votes;
Mr. Ziegler 7 votes;
Mr. Mühr 7 votes;
Mr. Armbrüster 7 votes;
Mr. Reinhardt 7 votes.

There were also some other single votes. Between the last three members a second ballot was needed, but Mr. Armbrüster declined before this took place and all other nominees accepted.

Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 8th May 1860
Mr. Seeger proposed the song: “Die Sänger“ - Mr. Schierenbeck seconded and it was unanimously accepted.

Present were 16 members
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Adelaide 15th May 1860
Nothing to report.

Present were 16 members and Mr. Bartels tendered an apology.
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Adelaide 22nd May 1860
Mr. Linger presented the song: “Rund ist alles in der Welt“. It was accepted and Mr. Braun was asked to once more to write the music for each voice. Mr. Armbrüster proposed the song: “Was gleicht wohl auf Erden” (still sung by the choir today. It is "Jägerchor" from the opera "Der Freishütz" by Carl Maria von Weber). This would be sung at the Jubilee celebration. Mr. Linger was asked if he would write an accompanying part for French Horn. The vote was accepted by all.

Present were 15 members.
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Adelaide Adelaide 29th May 1860
Mr. Schierenbeck moved that Mr. Beecken become a member of the Liedertafel, seconded by Mr. Reinhardt. Mr. Beecken was auditioned and determined to be a 1st tenor.

After practice the choir was informed about the committee’s decision for the forthcoming Jubilee celebration. The date was set for the 2nd July. It shall be an evening with entertainment, dinner and ball to follow. The committee has decided as follows:

1. Because of the cost of the Jubilee celebrations Mr. Reinhardt moved, seconded by Mr. Eitzen, that no complimentary tickets will be issued. The vote was unanimously accepted.

2. Each member be issued with four tickets to sell for the amount 2s 6d each. This was unanimously accepted.

3. Mr. Reinhardt proposed, seconded by Mr. Maraun, that the committee will also issue Mr. Oehlmann with four tickets, as he is now also a member.

4. Mr. Armbruster proposed that the committee purchase a black board, which Mr. Eitzen seconded. The proposal was accepted by all.

Furthermore the committee promised to inform the Liedertafel as soon as possible about the song selection for the Jubilee.

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 5th June 1860
Mr. Beecken was accepted as a new member of the Liedertafel.

Present were 17 members
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Adelaide 12th June 1860
Nothing to report.

Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 19th June 1860
After practice the committee assembled in the adjoining room to discuss the dinner for the Jubilee celebration.

Mr. Wedemeyer is prepared to offer a hot meal for 4s p.p., but without poultry, cake etc. The members accepted his offer.

Mr. Schlegel will donate the flowers for the decoration in the hall and Mr. Ziegler will hopefully contribute some decorations. The tickets will be issued next Tuesday.

Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 26th June 1860

With regard to tickets for the Jubilee celebrations Mr. Ziegler proposed that all members be issued with 5 tickets instead of four as was decided in a previous meeting. The reason he gave was that some members will not be present anymore after the concert. This proposal was seconded and unanimous accepted. After practice all members were asked to be early on Sunday morning to assist with decoration of the hall and tables.

Mr. Ziegler also proposed that Mr. Schrader bring his lyre [for decoration purposes] (apparently Herr Schrader kept this instrument for safekeeping. It had previously been purchased by the ALT for £1). Mr. Armbrüster will ask the German club to lend us their German Flag, to display it next to the English Flag, in the festivity hall.

The committee asked all members to bring their unsold tickets back by Friday evening and furthermore let the committee know how many people will attend the evening dinner.

Present were 19 members.
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Adelaide 3rd July 1860

1. The evening was set for the 22nd October, because the premises was in use on the 15th October, the original date.
2. Each member shall be given 6 tickets to sell @ 2s6d, and they have to pay for the ones that are not sold or handed back by Friday evening 10 pm to Mr. Armbrüster. Those tickets could be used by the members for their disposal until Monday midday.
3. That Mr. Oehlmann will be invited by the committee [as a special guest].
4. New tickets for the occasion will be printed with the following wording:

Adelaider Liedertafel Entertainment Evening
22nd October 1860 at the Hamburg Hotel.
Entry tickets for ...
Introduced by ...
Beginning at 8 pm

5. That no general table setup will be arranged because of the evening entertainment. Coffee and cake will be organised between Mr Wedemeyer and the committee, and served between 12 and 1 pm.
6. Members will be asked that if there are any volunteers for solo items for the concert to let the committee know at least 8 days in advance.
7. The following songs have been selected and have to be practiced:

Wir sind ein fest geschlossener Bund
Grün,ja grün – with instrumental accompaniment.
Ich verbleibe froh
Still und schauerlich
Grandma will dance

A new song from Mr. Linger will be premiered.
Present were 14 members.
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Adelaide 25th September 1860
For the evening two quartets need to be prepared and practiced. The singers will be: Mr. Reinhardt and Eitzen – 1. Tenor, Mr. Maraun and Andler – 2. Tenor, Mr. Braun and Muhr – 1. Bass, Mr. Schierenbeck and Armbrüster – 2. Bass. Since the time is too short to practice a new song for this occasion, the marching song “Frisch gesungen Kompanie” was selected. Mr. Wedemeyer reported that the hall was otherwise occupied next Tuesday and the practice was shifted to the following Thursday. Mr. Muhr declined to be a part of the evening entertainment as an official committee member.
Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 4th October 1860
Mr. Wedemeyer was asked to present a price for coffee and cake at the evening. He asked for two guineas, which was accepted.
Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 9th October 1860
Several members voted against the “marching song” because it has been sung too many times. Instead, “Unsere Weiher grünen wieder” was accepted. The music was distributed by Mr. Schierenbeck.
Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 16th October 1860
The programme was read to members and unanimously approved. Present were 18 members.
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Adelaide 23rd October 1860
At last night's celebrations numerous guests were very surprised at the more than 16 piece programme for the concert. It started with the overture to “Weisse Dame” by the Schrader’sche Music Corps. This was followed by the choir with “Der Sänger” (the singer) and followed by an duet from “Wilhelm Tell“ for cornet played by Mr. Schrader and Heidecker.

After this followed a quartet with “Die Kapelle“ (the chapel) sung by Mr. Reinhardt, Maraun, Braun and Schierenbeck. Then came Mr. Niehuus with the parody of "Die Tonleiter eines Männernamens" (the scale of a man's name) followed by the Liedertafel “Ich erblicke froh“ (I feel happy). That was followed by Mr. Oehlmann with a solo "In den Augen liegt das Herz" (in the eyes lies the heart) and the choir finished the first bracket of with “Grün, ja grün“ (green, yes green).

The second bracket started with the overture from “Eliza and Cloudin“ followed by the choir and after this an cornet solo from Mr. Heidecker, and then the quartet sang from the “Der Schneid.“ The next piece was “Frühlingslied“ (spring song) and then  solos by Mr. Schierenbeck – “Lebewohl“ (farewell) and “Maria“. The choir finished the concert with “Der Walzer“ (the waltz) and Mr. Ziegler topped this with a self written joke.

Half an hour after the concert began the weather changed and a bad thunderstorm lasted for the rest of the night. This may have motivated the audience [not to request encores], and the applause was spasmodic. But the applause for the solos and music pieces were enthusiastic, and had to be repeated again and again. Even though it was very sultry, most of the guests still enjoyed dancing afterwards until 5am.
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Adelaide 30th October 1860

Choir practice next day was cancelled. On Wednesday the quarterly GM was held. Mr. Braun read the financial statement with the proviso of not having received the money from the concert tickets. No changes to the constitution were brought forward. This evening the song “Brüder lasst uns lustig sein“ (brothers let us be happy) was introduced, by the undersigned and seconded by Mr. Braun. Mr. Maeth suggested the song “Herr Wirt noch einen Schoppen Wein“ (Mr. barman another glass of wine) seconded by Mr. Eitzen. Both songs were unanimously accepted and Mr. Braun was asked to write them into the song books.

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 6th November 1860

Mr. Braun informed the committee of the new total in the cash book, including October income from the last concert. The new amount comes to ₤5. 9.10

Present were 18 members
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Adelaide 13th November 1860 

An invitation to the German club's picnic on Christmas day was read to the members, but postponed to next Tuesday for discussion.

Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 20th November 1860

The invitation from the German club was the first item on the agenda. Read, discussed and unanimously accepted. Furthermore Mr. Armbrüster was given authority to speak on behalf of the Liedertafel to the German club committee and discuss important matters for the forthcoming event. Mr. Eitzen proposed Mr. Hanhen to become a new member of the Liedertafel, seconded by Mr. Maraun.

Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 27th November 1860

Mr. Hanhen was auditioned by Mr. Linger and assigned as a 1st Tenor. His new membership was unanimously accepted.

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 4th December 1860

Mr. Armbrüster reported that the train [for the German club's picnic] will leave at 8 am on the 25th Dec. The Liedertafel will be picked up at the Hamburg Hotel and join the train later. The second carriage has been reserved for the singers. The price for adults are 4s. per person return fare and for children under 12 years of age 1s.6d. All carriages have to be decorated with German and English flags so the Liedertafel has to do the same with their carriage.

Also was proposed that the Liedertafel sing the “Song of Australia“. Mr. Wedemeyer will lend his English flag to the choir and a German flag will be found amongst the items stored by Mr. Schrader. Mr. Mühr will be in charge of the flags and Mr. Maraun will bring the flag poles. Our banner has to be carefully installed to avoid damage. For this reason Mr. Armbrüster volunteered to hold the banner throughout the journey. The songs will be announced after the next practice.

After practice it was decided that on the coming Saturday the Liedertafel will perform for Councillor Mr. Voss a serenade. The committee agreed to the following songs: 1. Das ist der Tag des Herrn ,2. Und hörst du das mächtige Klingen, 3. Auf ihr Brüder lasst uns wallen. The singers went to Mr. Voss’s house. After the songs were sung all members were served wine and beer and had a good time until after 1am in the morning.

Present were 17 members.
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Adelaide 11th December 1860

Mr. Reinhardt proposed the song “Der Alte der die Stunden misst“ and it was seconded by Mr. Armbrüster. After practice the committee members went in to the next room to discuss some points for the forthcoming picnic. It was decided that the “Song of Australia“ [had been performed too often] and was to be replaced by the song “Das ist der Tag des Herrn”. A small committee was formed, consisting of the members Schierenbeck, Armbrüster and Ziegler to report to the club committee at next Tuesday’s practice evening.

Present were 17 members
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Adelaide 18th December 1860

The songs for the picnic submitted to the Liedertafel by the committee were sung. After this some important arrangements for the picnic were discussed. Mr. Ziegler submitted the proposition that new years eve be celebrated, [the same] as every year. Mr. Wedemeyer could not give his permission because [the Hotel Hamburg's] Restaurant was already booked for that night. Therefore Mr. Ziegler suggested Mr. Ligget's restaurant in Stepney, which has a beautiful garden. This suggestion was well accepted and 12 members were interested in join in the celebrations. The next choir practice was postponed till the 3rd of January 1861.

Present were 16 members.
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Adelaide 25th December 1860

Today was a wonderful day for all participants at the picnic, and only one member was absent. The weather did its best and all were in high spirits. The songs of the Liedertafel received lots of applause. After returning back to the restaurant, Mr. Wedemeyer apologised to the members and offered his establishment for the new years eve celebrations after all to the Liedertafel. He had misread the dates. [This pleased the members] because the premises in Stepney was so far from the city (3.5 Km, or 5 minutes on today's roads). 

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