Dear Editor:

I looked for a review of the concert given by the Vienna Boys Choir last Friday night and didn’t see one. Could have been one in the paper and I missed it. However, this was a performance that was certainly deserving of comment and a signal event in the cultural life of LaGrange.

The word “phenomenal” could be used to describe the performance. In fact, you would probably use that word a lot. These performers are kids, most younger than 12, but if you weren’t watching, except for the beautiful soprano voices, you wouldn’t really know that. The musicianship and polish was, in a word, phenomenal. They sing mostly in German, which you would expect, but you also get songs in Hindi, Hebrew and English. And they don’t just sing. A highlight for me was a young man with a drum and an accordion player who could almost make you appreciate that instrument.

The Vienna Boys Choir has a history and tradition dating from the Holy Roman Empire in the early 15th century. The current repertory includes traditional classical songs - Bach, Mozart, Schubert and, of course, Johann Strauss - but they do folk songs and even music from Sting. I heard a “Bei mir bist du schoen” that was as good as the Andrews Sisters, and I’m old enough to remember the Andrews Sisters. A very appreciative crowd wrung out two encores, concluding with “Chattanooga Choo-Choo.” Delightful with the German accent. In all, it was a phenomenal night.

It is especially important to recognize the Callaway Foundation and LaGrange College for providing this visit of the Vienna Boys Choir to Callaway Auditorium. I, for one, hope for many more events like this one in the future.

In the interest of full disclosure, I am an employee of LaGrange College but also a music lover and this was really a spectacular performance.

Chuck Kraemer

Cheyenne Drive, LaGrange