The secret of choral singing

Two singers from the Lucerne Concert Choir talk about what choral singing means to them.

Photo: zVg

Isa Glanzmann, kindergarten teacher

I actually sing very often: at home, in the forest, in kindergarten. It was always my dream to sing in a classical choir. I've been singing in the Lucerne Concert Choir for three years now and I have the impression that my voice has become clearer and purer. This has to do with the many rehearsals and the very good choir direction. I also practise a lot at home, because it's important to me that the wonderful works we get to sing are really successful when we perform at the KKL.

Singing makes me totally happy, the rehearsals are always too short for me. I enjoy the community in the choir and appreciate the contact between the generations. Many cheerful, friendly people come together here. I find that very enriching!

The big highlight of the choir year for me is the first rehearsal together with the professional orchestra and the soloists. A great moment - being in the middle of the music and immersing yourself in it. When the first chords ring out, tears flow again and again because it makes me so happy.
 

Photo: zVg

Robert Humbel, chemistry teacher

I started my choral career in the Kantichor and later sang in the Academic Choir of the ETH and the University of Zurich. In Lucerne, I ended up in the Lucerne Concert Choir because I felt at home in this large choir from the very first rehearsal. Singing makes me forget my everyday problems. I experience myself as a creative part of a big whole. Each choir member has to pay attention to themselves, their surroundings and the conductor, and only together can something new emerge. I experience wonderful moments in the process.

Over the years, my voice has improved and my musical understanding has deepened. The social contacts in the choir are also important to me. I've found a group that still sits together after rehearsals. I'm in good hands there.

Once a year we give a big concert in the KKL. It's always an experience to perform in this hall. As we've rehearsed intensively for a year, I'm hardly nervous. My family is listening in the audience. The event is simply wonderful.
 

Photo: zVg

Simona Brauchli, social education worker

I've been singing since the 2nd primary school class. I liked singing straight away. After a long break, I started looking for a new choir. So I said to myself: why don't you join my mother's choir? It's a wonderful opportunity for us to experience something together.

I like to sing classical music. I already loved these pieces in the children's choir. I often ask myself how it was possible for someone to come up with such great works. I really enjoy being part of a large choir. When we get better at singing a piece over time and the notes sit and rub against each other, I sometimes feel a tingling in my stomach. It's a wonderful feeling. I love being part of this great whole.

The real highlight for me is when the orchestra joins in the week before the big performance. Everything makes sense in one fell swoop. Then I experience a real wow feeling. It's just great! I'm nervous when I perform at the KKL, not because of the singing, but because I'm delivering the flowers. Apart from that, I think it's great that a great project is coming to an end and I'm looking forward to the new work.
 

Photo: zVg

Volker Appel, occupational therapist

I've actually always sung: I used to sing in the youth choir, then in the church choir, in the chamber choir and here in Switzerland for over 25 years in the Lucerne Concert Choir. We practise a whole year on one work. I like getting to know a new classical work every year. Every composer is different. You have to understand each one anew. When it comes to interpretation, I follow the conductor and like to be surprised.

The highlight every year is of course the performance at the KKL. I'm always nervous - even after such a long time in the choir. I love the atmosphere after the performance, that feeling of relaxation and relief when everything has gone well. The choir gives everything and is fully concentrated - it's logical that we're pretty exhausted at the end. It's an incredibly wonderful feeling to have worked together on something great.