After 148 years: MGV Hessenland has to close – Where are the singers?

After 148 years: MGV Hessenland has to close – Where are the singers?

The end of a long-standing chapter is coming to Gieselwerder: after 148 years, the Hessenland men's choir has decided to close its doors. How HNA reports, the decision was made on Friday last week and reflects the challenges that many singing societies in the region have to contend with.

With only twelve members able to sing, singing had become practically impossible. The club, founded in 1877 and once very popular as one of the largest men's choirs in the area with over 30 active members, has lost a significant number of members in recent years not only due to a lack of young singers, but also due to the negative effects of the corona pandemic. Comparative singing by the Sollingen Singers' Association is now a thing of the past.

Review and challenges

The last chairman, Heinrich Romberg, 72 years old, is now one of the club's youngest singers. About a decade ago, the choir was expanded in terms of personnel by adding female singers, but this did not lead to averting the threat of dissolution. The lack of younger singers, who often choose sports such as handball or football, has further exacerbated the situation.

The club proudly celebrated its 140th anniversary in 2017, but the corona pandemic presented the community with unprecedented challenges. “At a performance at Christmas 2024 there were only 14 singers present, in January 2025 there were only twelve,” reported HNA. The regular rehearsals and performances that are so important for club life were not possible for a long time or were only possible with restrictions.

In March 2025, the members discussed the future at the annual general meeting, and only a final meeting in June led to the agreed end with a majority of votes of 25 active and passive members.

The broader perspective

The situation of MGV Hessenland is not an isolated case. In other regions of Germany, choirs also fought for survival during and after the pandemic. According to a study that surveyed over 4,400 choirs in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, less than a third of the choirs were able to maintain their membership numbers. Over 50% of children's and youth choirs are experiencing major losses, and many choirs report reduced musical quality and poor cohesion among members, such as NMZ describes.

At the same time, it shows that the challenges that clubs like MGV Hessenland are experiencing also question the stability of the cultural landscape as a whole. The lack of young talent and interest in communal singing is a challenge that needs to be taken seriously.

Finally, it should be noted that the MGV Hessenland and its members can look back on a long tradition. Despite the painful farewell, there remains hope that choral music in the region will never completely fall silent.