In 1863, Eintracht, the first Trinity choir, was formed.  The group later changed its name to Geselligkeit and eventually to the English name Mixed Choir.  The choir’s name was first changed by Sam Goehringer on May 2, 1904.  It has been suggested the name was changed because the name “Eintracht” lent itself too readily to the suggestion of “Niedertracht” or “Zwietracht.”  Eintracht means harmony or unity in German; Niedertracht means meanness or baseness; Zwietracht means strife or discord; Geselligkeit means sociability, good fellowship.

Mixed Choir in 1928

A number of interesting and humorous choir stories have been recorded in Trinity's history.  One of these involves an incident that took place in a rehearsal under Mr. Wilk, while practicing “Ich hebe meine Augen auf zu den Bergen”.  Every time a certain bass voice set in, the altos were thrown off by one of the strong bass voices.  Mr. Wilk scolded the alto offender and received the disarming rejoinder, “Well, when that bass sets in, he sings so beautifully that I forget my part.”

Another story is told when Sam Goehringer was director.  He was experiencing difficulty in getting the singers to feel the rhythm in a certain piece of music.  Finally, at this particular rehearsal, he shouted: “You can all go to the dance on Saturday night and dance a waltz.  Why can’t you sing in waltz time?  If you can’t get it, I’m going to dance it for you.”  And sure enough, he danced out the rhythm of the ¾ time of the music, and before long the choir was singing to his satisfaction.

An interesting story can be found when choir members tried to purchase a Bible as a gift for Maria Goehringer whose marriage to Otto Herhold was to take place on May 18, 1902.  They planned to buy a Bible, but since none was available in the city, they ordered one.  Because Bibles were difficult to come by those days,  it didn’t arrive in time.  The committee was then instructed at the last minute to buy a bookcase instead.

October 10, 1911 is an important date in early choir history.  It was on that date that smoking was ruled out during rehearsals.  At this time in the choir's history, the ladies outnumbered the men and were finally able to win the vote.  On Jan. 4, 1916, smoking was again allowed, but "only during intermission."

A musical held on Feb. 5, 1922

During the 1920s, it was an annual custom for members of the Mixed Choir to perform an annual musical in the basement of the church.  At that time, a stage and seating were part of the furnishings under the church nave.

A musical held on Feb. 12, 1923

Another prominent choir in Trinity's music history was the Männerchor (men's choir) Harmonie.  The group was organized in February, 1888.  They first met at Henry Nagel’s shoe store at 829 N. Eighth street.  The choir planned to study the Lutheran chorales, and to sing for both divine services and other events where the singing of folk songs would be appropriate.  Many of these social gatherings took place at evening performances called Abendunterhaltungen.   The aims and purposes of the choir in 1938 were recorded as 1) to foster increased love for, and singing of, Lutheran chorales and folk-songs; 2) to hold annual Sängerfests; 3) to satisfy the desire for social contacts; and 4) to encourage friendly competition between member choirs.

Harmonie Choir at 25th Anniversary in 1913

Before the Harmonie choir, there was a choir named Feierabend (meaning time for leisure after work; spare, or free time).  One interesting event from their history occurred when the choir sang the words “therefore we are not afraid” in a particular song, and at that same moment the director collapsed.  They thought it best not to sing for a while, and after some time the Harmonie choir was formed.  Members of the Feierabend requested the men join their choir instead of starting their own, but they chose not to, and thus it was the end of Feierabend.

Pictures of some of the other music ensembles from Trinity can be found below.

Senior Mixed Choir - organized in 1863
Photo from 1953

Junior Mixed Choir - organized in 1936
Photo from 1953

Männerchor - organized in 1888
Photo from 1938

School Chorus - organized in 1939
Photo from 1953

Church Band - founded in 1870
Photo from 1928

School Band - organized in 1939
Photo from 1953