The San Antonio Liederkranz
Established July 11th, 1892
Our 134th Year!
The San Antonio Liederkranz, a distinguished all-male (TTBB) choir, traces its roots back to 134 years ago when Fr. Henry Pfefferkorn founded it as the Men’s Choir of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in downtown San Antonio, Texas.
Primarily, the choir enriches the spiritual ambiance of St. Joseph's by performing at the 11:00 Mass every fourth Sunday, excluding July, August, and December—when their mesmerizing voices fill the sacred space of Midnight Mass. Beyond their church duties, they organize two pivotal fundraising concerts annually. The Spring/Summer Concert, typically held in June or July, features a repertoire of secular music. Similarly, the first or second Sunday of December marks their highly anticipated Christmas Concert, where they captivate audiences with a blend of English, German, and Latin Christmas carols.
The choir proudly holds membership in two prestigious Texas Sängerbunds: the Deutsch-Texanisher Sängebund and the Texanischer Gebirgs Sängerbund. Both Bunds host a Sängerfest—one in the Spring and another in the Fall. Additionally, they are affiliated with the Nord-Amerikanischer Sängerbund, enhancing their network and exposure within the singing community.
Rehearsals are a cornerstone of their commitment, taking place every Monday night at 7:00 PM in the historic King William Neighborhood at St Joseph’s Hall, 420 Cesar Chavez/Durango. Welcoming aspiring singers aged 18 and above, with a passion for vocal excellence and camaraderie, the choir encourages individuals to audition any Monday evening. Their inclusive ethos aims to continually enrich their ranks with fresh talent.
The San Antonio Liederkranz, Inc, operates as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, embodying a commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and cultural preservation.
Primarily, the choir enriches the spiritual ambiance of St. Joseph's by performing at the 11:00 Mass every fourth Sunday, excluding July, August, and December—when their mesmerizing voices fill the sacred space of Midnight Mass. Beyond their church duties, they organize two pivotal fundraising concerts annually. The Spring/Summer Concert, typically held in June or July, features a repertoire of secular music. Similarly, the first or second Sunday of December marks their highly anticipated Christmas Concert, where they captivate audiences with a blend of English, German, and Latin Christmas carols.
The choir proudly holds membership in two prestigious Texas Sängerbunds: the Deutsch-Texanisher Sängebund and the Texanischer Gebirgs Sängerbund. Both Bunds host a Sängerfest—one in the Spring and another in the Fall. Additionally, they are affiliated with the Nord-Amerikanischer Sängerbund, enhancing their network and exposure within the singing community.
Rehearsals are a cornerstone of their commitment, taking place every Monday night at 7:00 PM in the historic King William Neighborhood at St Joseph’s Hall, 420 Cesar Chavez/Durango. Welcoming aspiring singers aged 18 and above, with a passion for vocal excellence and camaraderie, the choir encourages individuals to audition any Monday evening. Their inclusive ethos aims to continually enrich their ranks with fresh talent.
The San Antonio Liederkranz, Inc, operates as a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization, embodying a commitment to artistic excellence, community engagement, and cultural preservation.
Thanks to the San Antonio Photo Imaging Center(SAPHOTO.COM) (founded by former member, Carl Schiele) which not only touched up this 120-year-old photo but also provided us with a digital format for our web page
Next Public Event in 2026:
FORTH SUNDAY MASS FOR FEBRUARY 2026
First Sunday Of Lent
February 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM
St Joseph Catholic Church Downtown
First Sunday Of Lent
February 22, 2026 - 11:00 AM
St Joseph Catholic Church Downtown
February 28, 2026
San Antonio Liederkranz will perform at 190th Anniversary of Texas Independence
The San Antonio Liederkranz, an acclaimed all-male choral ensemble, has been invited to help commemorate the 190 anniversary of Texas Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the historic birthplace of Texas.
This milestone celebration will feature musical performances, historical reenactments, and presentations from organizations dedicated to preserving the state’s heritage.
Founded in 1892 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown San Antonio, the Liederkranz was established to promote German culture and musical excellence in the community. Today, the ensemble continues that tradition, performing sacred and secular works in German, English, and Latin. In addition to their regular appearances at St. Joseph’s Church and their annual Spring and Christmas Concerts, the group is an active member of two distinguished Texas singing societies: the Deutsch-Texanisches Sängerbund and the Texanisches Gebirgs Sängerbund.
This year’s appearance at Washington-on-the-Brazos carries special meaning, as the current Liederkranz members will honor their predecessors who performed there in 1938, shortly after the amphitheater first opened.
The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site reopened on November 8, 2025, following a $51 million renovation. It remains one of Texas’s most important landmarks—where 59 elected delegates declared independence from Mexico, drafted a new constitution, and established an interim government for the Republic of Texas.
Those wishing to support the San Antonio Liederkranz in this historic performance are encouraged to call (210) 846-7400 for more information.
Below is the website for the occasion:
https://wheretexasbecametexas.org/events/texas-independence-day-celebration-8/
--
San Antonio Liederkranz will perform at 190th Anniversary of Texas Independence
The San Antonio Liederkranz, an acclaimed all-male choral ensemble, has been invited to help commemorate the 190 anniversary of Texas Independence at Washington-on-the-Brazos, the historic birthplace of Texas.
This milestone celebration will feature musical performances, historical reenactments, and presentations from organizations dedicated to preserving the state’s heritage.
Founded in 1892 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in downtown San Antonio, the Liederkranz was established to promote German culture and musical excellence in the community. Today, the ensemble continues that tradition, performing sacred and secular works in German, English, and Latin. In addition to their regular appearances at St. Joseph’s Church and their annual Spring and Christmas Concerts, the group is an active member of two distinguished Texas singing societies: the Deutsch-Texanisches Sängerbund and the Texanisches Gebirgs Sängerbund.
This year’s appearance at Washington-on-the-Brazos carries special meaning, as the current Liederkranz members will honor their predecessors who performed there in 1938, shortly after the amphitheater first opened.
The Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site reopened on November 8, 2025, following a $51 million renovation. It remains one of Texas’s most important landmarks—where 59 elected delegates declared independence from Mexico, drafted a new constitution, and established an interim government for the Republic of Texas.
Those wishing to support the San Antonio Liederkranz in this historic performance are encouraged to call (210) 846-7400 for more information.
Below is the website for the occasion:
https://wheretexasbecametexas.org/events/texas-independence-day-celebration-8/
--