Despite dwindling participation, choir members remain dedicated

The choir is Ohio's second-oldest German chorus.
By KATIE LIBECCO
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- The Youngstown Maennerchor Club Choir has 143 years of German music tradition, but participation has dwindled to an all-time low, and the remaining members are doing everything they can to recruit more people.
German immigrants established the Youngstown Maennerchor Choir in 1863 to celebrate their heritage through music. The choir sings traditional German family music.
Between the men's choir and the women's choir, the Youngstown Maennerchor averaged about 100 participants until the decline of membership began about 1975. The men and women's choirs combined in 1989. Today, there are only 12 active choir members.
Choir director Jerry Rezanka of Campbell has worked with the group for 25 years. He said there were about 24 members when he began. Rezanka said he's tried to recruit singers while giving music lessons at Youngstown State University, among other things.
"The problem getting new singers is that there's no new immigrants," said choir president Wolfgang Wengler of Youngstown.
Keeping tradition alive
He moved to this area from Germany in 1956 and has been in the Youngstown Maennerchor Choir for 40 years. Wengler hosts a German music program from 11 a.m. to noon on Saturdays on radio station 90.7 FM, which advertises German music and heritage.
Wengler said the Youngstown Maennerchor, located at 831 Mahoning Ave., is "trying just about everything" to recruit young, new members, including advertising, concerts and public performances.
To help "get the group's name out there," a chorus of four men and three women sang to groups as they finished tours of Loghurst Farm Museum in Canfield. German food also was served.
At 25-years-old, Mindy Owens, a Girard resident, is the youngest member of the choir. She joined five years ago.
"It hurts. It's just unfortunate that people don't celebrate their heritage anymore," Owens said. "You need to celebrate your heritage. If you forget it, you lose it."
Owens said most of her family members have been in the chorus at some time in their lives. She said that she participates to keep the tradition alive.
"When we go to national events, there's very few people in my age group. We need more young people," Owens said. "I'm usually one of the youngest, if not the youngest person there."
Owens said she thinks part of the problem is parents not pushing their kids to participate in things like the Youngstown Maennerchor.
The choir is the second-oldest German chorus in Ohio, behind the Columbus Maennerchor.
Widespread declines
Wayne Owens, Columbus Maennerchor's general manager, said the number of people involved in that choir also has declined. He said there are about 65 people in the men's chorus and about 65 in the women's. The Columbus Maennerchor also has a KinderChor chorus for children.
Wayne Owens said he's aware that other German choirs in Ohio have seen decreased participation.
"I think it's a national thing. ... Younger generations don't join fraternal organizations like they used to. Not like my generation did anyway," he said.
A one-year membership to the Youngstown Maennerchor costs $35 for a single adult and $50 for couples. To participate in the choir, there is an additional $25 travel fee.
Membership is open to people of all ethnic backgrounds.
Wengler and other members said it is not necessary to speak or read German to sing with the choir -- new recruits are taught the language along the way.
For more information, call (330) 746-9322.