Josef Sauter: 75 years of choral singing and moving war memories!

Josef Sauter: 75 years of choral singing and moving war memories!

Westhausen, Deutschland - Josef Sauter, a 92-year contemporary witness and active member of the Maurituschor in Westhausen, is celebrating a remarkable anniversary this year: it has been part of the choir singing for 75 years. The self -chosen musical life path began for him on February 7, 1950, invited by Pastor Carl Anton Schips, in his first singing lesson. The solemn annual general meeting praised Sauters loyalty with an atmospheric visit, a special song and a gift basket. Pastor Matthias Reiner also presented him with a certificate, while the chairwoman of the choir, Annemarie Hoffmann, kept a warm laudation in rhyme form that all choir director who had experienced Sauter in the past 75 years. Schwäbische Post reports that ...

Sauter, whose musical development is also accompanied by a beautiful, safe bass voice, looks at another birthday: in May he turns 93. Despite the challenges in his life, including the escape from the French in World War II and the loss of his parents, he remained true to singing to this day. The memories of the bomb attack in Tuttlingen in 1945 and the associated tragedies shaped his childhood while living in Westhausen, sporadically attended school and closed friendships.

The flight and the new beginning

Josef Sauter became a war orphan during the war when his father came from a crowded train and died. He stayed in Westhausen with his mother and sister and finally found stop in the music. The influence of Pastor Schips, who discovered and promoted singing talents in the community, was of great importance for Sauter. It was not just the singing lessons that gave him pleasure; Also his commitment to the Concordia singing association and in a men's quartet that existed until 2012 testifies to his passion.

Sauter was also active professionally for a lifetime. As a carpenter, he worked in a company until his retirement. He was on the way to work for almost 50 years. Today he is brought to the singing lessons by Michael Wigger and emphasizes that singing is doing very well. Schwäbische.de adds that ...

The importance of choral singing

The tradition of choral singing has a long history that goes back to the 19th century, as is documented in the singing museum in Feuchtwangen. The emotional power of the vocals, which comes into its own in both choirs and stadium chants, is emphasized there. Helma Kurz, the volunteer of the singing museum, describes the enthusiasm that is in singing and reminds that choirs often transported political messages in warlike times. Deutschlandfunk Kultur explains that ...

Josef Sauters commitment and his decades of loyalty to the Mauritiuschor illustrate the cultural and social importance of choral singing in the community of Westhausen. While he masters the challenges of his life, the music offers him valuable support and occasion for joy. So singing remains not just a hobby for him, but an essential part of his existence.