Full old town squares during the Long Night of Choirs
lifestyle
At the Long Night of Choirs, thousands of Salzburg residents listened to the 53 participating choirs and singing groups from the city and state. The singers immersed downtown Salzburg in a cloud of sound on Wednesday evening. A total of 20 locations were sung late into the night.
53 choirs and singing groups from the city and state of Salzburg populated the old town of Salzburg on Wednesday evening and played music in the open air as well as in unusual places such as the House of Nature. Strolling and enjoying was announced for the visitors.
Joy for the singers and the audience
The joy could be felt on both sides – among the many singers and the audience. The full halls and seats in the state capital were an important sign of life after two long years of the pandemic, which not all choirs survived. “Enough is never enough, but thank God we still have many choirs. We were originally 423 and now there are 415 choirs nationwide,” says Dieter Schaffer, President of the Salzburg Choir Association.
Laying the foundation for a fascination with music at a young age
Singing on Wednesday was an expression of joie de vivre and an expression of lived tradition. Once again it was evident that singing connects. It is all the more important to those responsible that the foundation stone for a fascination with music is laid at an early age. If the foundation stone is missing, it is very difficult to get someone to sing.
“Singing is more than just music”
“If you haven’t experienced at a young age what a feeling of pleasure it can be to be able to use your own voice and to be able to enjoy it, then later on you won’t feel the attraction of going to the choir anymore,” says music teacher and choir director Moritz Guttman. According to Guttmann, singing does not only consist of the music, but also the interaction and the social aspects shape and make up the fascination.