Choir charms Minden audience

by Sheila Gardner

Staff Writer

More than 300 people packed the CVIC Hall on Sunday to hear a youth choir from Minden's sister city in Germany.

"This is the best singing I've heard in this hall," said Town Board Member Bob Hadfield at the conclusion of a one-hour performance by the Tookula Choir. "Do you agree with me?"

Minden was the second stop on the choir's three-week tour of the United States, with planned performances in Minden, Neb., and Minden, Iowa, along with San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and ending July 16 at the Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp in Greenville, Mich.

"Remember, Minden, Nevada, is the real Minden," Hadfield joked.

The youth choir arrived Saturday night, staying with 24 families, and left early Monday for Salt Lake City.

Expecting an audience of 200, organizers set up 100 more chairs as people started arriving 45 minutes before the 6:30 p.m. concert.

Dozens of people lined the stairs and balcony to listen to the music.

"When we arrived, from the first second, we felt comfortable and at home," Choir Director Thomas Wirtz told the audience.

He invited everyone to join Minden, Germany, as it celebrates its 250th anniversary next summer of the battle at Minden.

The singers performed a variety of music from German folksongs to spirituals and pop tunes.

The performance closed with an encore of John Denver's "Leaving on a Jet Plane."

The young choir received two standing ovations.

The town distributed small souvenirs to the choir and the singers brought T-shirts and other items for their hosts.

"You make us proud to be your hosts," Hadfield said. "You've made some friends for life here."