The Spatzen need friends!

Spatzen Weinberg 2

The Children’s Choir “Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen” has existed for over 70 years and during this time has developed into one of the best children’s choirs in the world. Founded by Prof. Josef Wolfgang Ziegler (*1906 – † 2000) in 1949 in the well-known wine town of Gumpoldskirchen in Lower Austria, its main purpose was to convey the joy of music to children. In 1969, his daughter Elisabeth Ziegler took over the musical direction of the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen with great commitment and joy and led to many great successes before she handed over her position in 2019 and became honorary president. For decades, a loving and almost family-like atmosphere has generated excellence and top-class performance.

WHAT DO THE GUMPLDSKIRCHNER SPATZEN STAND FOR?

The Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen simply love to sing and to convey their message that we can all learn from each other and live together in peace. This renders the Spatzen ambassadors of Austrian culture in the world. But there is more to that. They also have a deep desire to bring global culture home to Austria. Discovering one’s own roots, thinking outside the box, seeing the world through children’s eyes – a philosophy that manifests itself in the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen’s song repertoire encompassing a capella music of all eras, Austrian folk songs, traditional Viennese songs and world music ranging from musicals to popular music.

SUCCESS IN AUSTRIA AND THROUGHOUT THE WORLD

32 seasons at the Vienna State Opera and other Vienna opera houses labelled the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen the “Vienna State Opera children’s choir”.
10 years as an integral artistic part of Placido Domingo’s show “Christmas in Vienna” – among many world stars, international concert tours to the USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe, CD-productions as well as top results in international choir competitions have shaped the artistic life of the choir and have earned them an impeccable reputation throughout the world.
No matter who – Leonard Bernstein, Claudio Abbado, the three tenors, Charles Aznavour, Michael Bolton, Helene Fischer, Udo Jürgens, the Scorpions or Martin Grubinger – all of them were deeply impressed by the quality of the choir.
Last but by no means least it was the ORF show “Die grosse Chance der Chöre” (Austria’s “…got talent” equivalent) where the Spatzen did not only sing their way into listeners’ hearts all over the world but also reached the top 3 in the grand finale.

HOW DO THE SPATZEN WORK?

The Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen are not just a children’s choir, they are much more!
They are a fellowship of singers making music history. Highest priority is given to the children’s needs and a family-like atmosphere between them and their vocal coaching team. The key to success is a well-balanced mix of intensive work and professional vocal education accompanied by childlike delight in making music. The entire team of choirmasters, voice teachers, répétiteurs and choreographers can lay the foundation for possible artistic careers later in life. Quite a few of the Spatzen have become stars.

THE SPATZEN NEED FRIENDS – BE ONE OF THEM!

Despite all their professionalism in the artistic field the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen continuously reach their financial and organisational limits.
For that reason the society of the “Freunde der Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen” (friends’ association) was founded in order to enable the children to fully concentrate on their artistic work and do what they can do best – singing!

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT THE SPATZEN?

Travel costs, bus transfers, food, lodging on concert tours – the Spatzen can only fly away when their financial needs are met and a safe trip for the children can be assured. Therefore, many parents and Altspatzen (former choir members) have become members of the friends’ association and also, more and more fans and friends provide generous financial support by means of either a membership fee, an individual donation or within the framework of corporate sponsorship
Bank account details of the “Freunde der Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen”:
IBAN: AT12 3225 0080 0040 0119

The chairwoman of the association, Christine Scheitz, welcomes new members, sponsors and voluntary support. ch.scheitz@gmx.at Tel: +43 664 9202530

Gumpoldskirchen, Land Niederösterreich