Category Archives: MMC Activities

Stiftungsfest 2016

On Saturday February 13th, we had our annual Stiftungsfest celebration. This year we did something a little different: we took a bus to Monroe for dinner at the Turner Hall. Before dinner we stopped at Minhas Brewery to sample some of their products and sing a few songs. And on our way back to Madison we stopped at Puemple’s Olde Tavern in New Glarus for a beer and a few more songs.

Here are some pictures – click on the thumbnail to see the larger image.

Stiftungsfest 2016

We encountered a little turbulence on our bus ride to Monroe, so the flight attendant distributed Jaegermeister. Purely for medicinal purposes of course.

Stiftungsfest 2016

Our first stop was the Minhas Brewery. Here's a view of the "Great Wall of Regal Brau" outside of the tasting room.

Stiftungsfest 2016

We were able to sample several of the Minhas beers.

Stiftungsfest 2016

And naturally we sang a few songs.

Stiftungsfest 2016

The tasting room is a very comformtable place to have a beer and sing.

Stiftungsfest 2016

Afterward we headed for the bus, which was conveniently parked by the Distillery.

Stiftungsfest 2016

Nobody leaves Minhas empty handed!

Stiftungsfest 2016

Our next stop was happy hour and dinner at the Monroe Turner Hall.

Stiftungsfest 2016

Happy Hour seemed to live up to its name!

Stiftungsfest 2016

Monroe Turners does not fool around when it comes to pretzels!

Stiftungsfest 2016

Our president had a few words before dinner.

Stiftungsfest 2016

After dinner we sang a few songs, and then it was time to go.

Stiftungsfest 2016

We stopped at Puemple's Tavern in New Glarus for a beer. Here Erik is taking a picture of me taking a picture.

Stiftungsfest 2016

After a beer and a few songs, it was time to head back to Madison.

Bethel Lutheran Church 2016

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On Friday February 12th we braved the traffic and cold temperatures to perform for the Friendship club at Bethel Lutheran Church. We sang for about a half hour and afterward some of the group headed for refreshments at the Essen Haus.

Here are a few pictures. As always, click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.

Bethel Lutheran Church Performance

Thanks to Paul H for the Lutheran socks...

Bethel Lutheran Church Performance

Warming up under the direction of Paul E

Bethel Lutheran Church Performance

We has some time before we performed, so we had to keep our throats warm...

Bethel Lutheran Church Performance

...or at least that's our story. And we're sticking to it.

International Festival 2016

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Sorry this has taken me so long to post, but here are some photos form our performance at the International Festival on Saturday January 9th at the Overture Center. We had a good crowd in the Rotunda Room and after the performance we went over to the Come Back Inn for “refreshments.”

Thanks to Paul Wertsch for two of the photos. As always, click on the thumbnail image to see the larger photo.

International Festival 2016

We performed at the Overture Center's International Festival on January 9th

International Festival 2016

Due to a scheduling conflict we had to warm up in a much smaller space than normal

International Festival 2016

It was a decent sized dressing room but we just barely fit. However the acoustics were great.

International Festival 2016

There was a good crowd in the Rotunda Room as we lined up for the performance.

International Festival 2016

Just waiting for the introduction...

International Festival 2016

Getting ready to move onto the stage, or "head towards the light" as someone said.

International Festival 2016

Afterward we had some refreshments at the Come Back Inn.

Oakwood Village Christmas Concert 2015

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On Thursday December 18th we performed at Oakwood Village. Our friend and former member Dick Layman invited us to come and sing and we did. We had a great turnout for the concert and afterward we adjourned to the dining area for refreshments and some more singing. As always, we had a great time at Oakwood Village. thanks for inviting us Dick!

Here are some photos. As always click on the thumbnail to see the larger photo.

Oakwood Village

Warming up backstage. The room had surprisingly good acoustics.

Oakwood Village

At the "after party" in the dining area

Oakwood Village

There were sandwiches and a traditional German beverage

Oakwood Village

There was a good turnout at the concert and the party.

Oakwood Village

It was one of the larger crowds we've had at Oakwood Village

Oakwood Village

Traditional holiday sock photo

Oakwood Village

We had a good time singing with the crowd

Oakwood Village

Ralph leading the traditional singing of "I've been working on a railroad"

Oakwood Village

Our host and former Maennerchor singer Dick Layman. Thanks for inviting us Dick! We had a great time!

Christmas Concert & Dinner 2015

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“A heartfelt thanks to all of those who attended the Madison Männerchor (MMC) Christmas concert Sunday afternoon. We very much appreciate your support and sincerely hope you had a good time in helping us celebrate the holiday season. We hope you enjoyed the concert as much as we enjoyed performing for you. For those who stayed for dinner, we hope you enjoyed the meal. It is always a treat to have good catered food like we had from Cranberry Creek and Ralph Clasen’s outstanding ham baked in sourdough.

I hope some of the men who attended the concert take us up on our concert ticket rebate offer by attending one of our Thursday night rehearsals, either in January or February. We practice every Thursday night at 8:00 pm at Madison Turner Hall. We hope to see you there. Our next practice is Thursday, January 7th at 8:00 pm. We are taking the holidays off and we have a performance this Thursday at Oakwood Village West at 7:00 pm.

Thanks again and everyone “hab ein Frohen Weihnachten und ein Guten Rutsch ins Neu Jahr.” (Merry Christmas and Happy New Year)”

Gϋnther Ruch, President
Madison Männerchor

Here are a few photos from the concert and dinner on Sunday December 13th – as always, click on the small image to see the larger photo.

: Lake Monona on the way to set up for the concert. We hit 60 degrees for the high and it rained all afternoon.

: Set up was very easy this year, thanks to Jason from the Turner’s staff.

: Warming up just before the concert. Notice the group standing near the brandy 🙂

: The mandatory concert sock photo

: Sankt Nikolaus paid us a visit after the concert

: One of the children did not want to wait for a present

: Sankt Nikolaus and his helpers handed out gifts to all of the children

: We had the traditional ham baked in sourdough bread along with turkey, mashed potatoes and all of the trimmings

: We had a great crowd this year. Hope to see you in 2016!

Christmas Concert and Dinner 2015

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A visit from Sankt Nikolaus

Our annual Christmas Concert & Dinner will be held at Turner Hall, 3001 S Stoughton Road in Madison, on Sunday December 13, 2015 at 3:00 p.m. After the concert, there will be a visit from Sankt Nikolaus followed by dinner at approximately 5:00 p.m.

Tickets are $23/adult and children 13 or older. Children under 13 eat free when with an adult also eating dinner. Cash bar. Tickets for the concert only are $8/adult. Tickets can be purchased at the door but we would appreciate it if you made a reservation in advance. For the full details, including how to make a reservation, please click on the link below:

Christmas Concert & Dinner information

Please make your reservations by December 3rd if possible. Email xmas@madisonmaennerchor.org or call Alan at (608) 335-0770.

Wauktoberfest 2015

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We sang at Wauktoberfest on the Endres Manufacturing grounds in Waunakee on Sunday September 20th. As we’ve been doing for the last few years, we sing our first set, then pause for the Dachshund races, and then sing a second set. It was a beautiful day and I think we all had a good time. Strangely though, the Wauktoberfest goat mascot (a.k.a. “Greg’s Nemesis”) was not present.

Here are some photos; as always click on the small image to see the full picture.

Wauktoberfest 2015

We gathered at 2:00 on the Wauktoberfest grounds. Just Too Accordions were on the stage

Wauktoberfest 2015

We spent some time "warming up" before starting our first set at 2:30.

Wauktoberfest 2015

We had a good crowd for the first set

Wauktoberfest 2015

The acoustics in the tent are not optimal, but we gave it our best shot

Wauktoberfest 2015

At 3:00 we took a break for the Dachshund Races. This is the start of the first heat, which included the eventual winner Abraham.

Wauktoberfest 2015

Our friend Squeaky was late in registering, but managed to get into the fourth heat.

Wauktoberfest 2015

I think this was the second heat.

Wauktoberfest 2015

In the fourth heat, Mercury took an early lead over Squeaky

Wauktoberfest 2015

But Squeaky didn't give up and momentarily took the lead though Mercury won. Better luck next year Squeaky!

Wauktoberfest 2015

Just barely had enough time to get a slice of "Warrior" pizza (bratwurst, sauerkraut and onions) before our second set

Wauktoberfest 2015

By the end of the second set the crowd had thinned out but there were still brats and beer to be consumed. We'll see you next year at Wauktoberfest!

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

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On Saturday September 12th we made our annual visit to the Essen Haus Oktoberfest. It was a beautiful day and the Badgers won their home opener and we had a great time as always. I’ve posted a few photos below; as always click on the small image to see the larger photo.

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

We spent some time warming up before we sang.

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

Nothing like a brat, sauerkraut and potato salad to give you the strength to get through a long Oktoberfest afternoon.

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

It was a beautiful day in Madison: sunny but cool.

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

There was a good crowd in the Essen Haus parking lot.

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

After we sang, it was "Asbach Uralt time" once again

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

Having two hands can be very convenient when it's Asbach Uralt time

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

Still working on the Asbach

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

But perhaps we really shouldn't consider it "work"...

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

Still a few glasses left...

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

The Dorf Kapelle starting playing a little after 4:00

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

As always, they were amazing

Essen Haus Oktoberfest 2015

No, Ron did not empty all those glasses by himself 🙂

Cemetery Sing 2015

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On Sunday August 30th we had our annual Cemetery Sing. We did things a little differently this year: we rented a bus, which made the logistics a lot easier and also took the opportunity to visit a few of our sponsors.

We started at Turner Hall, and then drove to the Spartan Bowl in McFarland. After warming up with a few songs and a drink or two, it was off to Roselawn Memorial in Monona. We sang a few songs in remembrance of Ernst Roth, Roger Attoe and the other friends who are buried here.

On our way to lunch, we stopped at Slice’s Bar & Grill for some refreshments. After a drink or tow, and a couple of songs we went on our way to Kavanaugh’s Esquire Club for lunch. We had bacon cheeseburgers and they were great!

Our next stop was Highland Memory Gardens. We sang two songs in memory of Pat Burke and Jerry Braier, who passed away this summer.

On our way back to Turner Hall, we stopped at the Great Dane Eastside, where we took the opportunity to sing a few songs and drink some more beer. Then it was time to head back to Turner Hall.

Here are some photos from the Cemetery Sing. As always, please click on the small image to see the larger photo.

At the Spartan Bowl

Our first stop was the Spartan Bowl in McFarland

At the Spartan Bowl

We had a good warm up...

At the Spartan Bowl

...and then it was time to hit the road

At the Spartan Bowl

The bus was just the right size for the group.

On the bus!

And it was very comfortable too.

Roselawn Memorial Park

We stopped at Roselawn Memorial Park

Roselawn Memorial Park

Paying our respects to our departed members at Roselawn

At Slice's Bar & Grill

Next stop: Slice's Bar & Grill

At Slice's Bar & Grill

We stopped for a drink (or two) and sang a few songs

At Slice's Bar & Grill

And then it was time to go

At Kavanaugh's Esquire Club

We had lunch at Kavanaugh's Esquire Club

At Kavanaugh's Esquire Club

Bacon cheeseburger, fries and Spaten Oktoberfest. Very good!

At Kavanaugh's Esquire Club

After lunch it was time to hit the road

Highland Memory Gardens

At Highland Memory Gardens, to pay our respects to our deceased members, especially Jerry who passed away this summer. He is greatly missed.

At the Great Dane Eastside

Our final stop was the Great Dane Eastside

At the Great Dane Eastside

Apparently they will let practically anybody in the door here 🙂

At the Great Dane Eastside

Oops, we need another pitcher!

At the Great Dane Eastside

And then it was time to head back to Turner Hall

Charleston House 2015

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On Thursday June 25th we traveled to Beaver Dam to sing at the Charleston House. We’ve sung there a number of times in the past, but this was the first time we sang there outdoors – of course it was also the first time we had been there in the summer. some of the sections were a little shorthanded but we seemed to do ok. Afterward we headed down the street to John’s for some beer and more singing.

Here are some photos from Beaver Dam. As always, click on the small image to see a larger version of the picture.