Students Visit Lehigh Valley

Abby Eschmann, Kaitlin Sullivan, Caitlin Stamm, Carly Biancaniello, Tom Mangels, Elizabeth Slattery and John Kilberg with the von Trapp children On Friday, December 3, sixth, seventh, and eighth-grade German students from the Garden City Middle School, along with a dozen parent chaperones and two teachers, took a trip to the Lehigh Valley to explore the culture and history of the Pennsylvania Germans in early America. Their trip, as it turned out, was not only rich in history and culture, but also in music.

The day began in Allentown with a concert presented by four of the great-grandchildren of Count Georg von Trapp, whose escape from Nazi oppression was featured in the film “The Sound of Music.” The performers, offspring of the youngest son from Count Georg’s first marriage, (“Kurt” in the movie) range in age from 10 to 16 years. In crystal clear, beautiful voices they sang a wide repertoire of folk songs in English, French and German, along with traditional holiday pieces, and familiar numbers from Broadway, including many from the Rogers and Hammerstein film that made their family famous. The oldest daughter continues a tradition begun by Maria von Trapp during concerts, offering anecdotes about the family between musical numbers. We learned that the primary difference between the Hollywood version and reality was that Maria and Georg were married 11 years and had already sung in concert in America before they left Austria for the last time with their 10 children. As the concert drew to a close the performers invited the audience to sing with them, and afterward, Garden City students were given the opportunity to talk with the performers and get their autographs.

Garden City moms: Mrs. Mangels, Mrs. Ruddy,Mrs. Slattery, Mrs. Hugel and Mrs. Stamm The Garden City group then traveled a few miles eastward to Bethlehem, where they participated in a walking tour of the 250-year-old Moravian settlement led by guides in traditional dress of the 1700s. The town of Bethlehem was given its name on Christmas Eve 1741 by Count Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, who had been benefactor of the Moravian Protestants in Germany. He helped end their centuries of persecution by encouraging them to take their beliefs to the New World. There, they established a system of communal living, where millwrights and artisans introduced their techniques to their new homeland. This included the first municipal water pumping system in colonial America.

The students visited with Santa The Moravian tour in Bethlehem included the Single Sisters’ House, the Single Brethrens’ House and the Gemeinhaus, or community house, which is now a museum. In addition, the group visited “God’s Acre,” a historical Moravian cemetery, and Central Moravian Church, a national landmark of music, where they heard the story of the nativity, or “Putz,” sung and narrated. After a stop at the Moravian Bookstore, the group went on to the Christkindlmarkt - a holiday market much like the ones in every town and city in Germany during Advent. This market features 75 visual artists and craftsmen, authentic German ornaments, food and live holiday music. It was here that Garden City students had an opportunity to show off their vocal talent in a songfest with one of Santa’s helpers.

Students entertained their classmates with Santa’s helper Dr. Hecker and her students would like to thank Mrs. Pauley for sharing her family’s historical journey from Germany to Pennsylvania. Thanks also to GC Music teacher Mrs. Boonshaft for her company and her help as “driver’s guide.” A special Danke schön to parent chaperones Mrs. Cavanaugh, Mrs. Hancock, Mrs. Hugel, Mrs. Lisoski, Mrs. Malfa, Mrs. Mangels, Mrs. Marconi, Mrs. Ruddy, Mrs. Slattery, Mrs. Stamm and Mr. Cunningham.

Seventh-grader Gabe Mollica waited for his autographed program.

Eighth-graders Tyler Hancock and Michael Marconi at the Christkindlmarket Seventh-graders Emily Werner, Elizabeth Cavanaugh and Eleni Andromides sang with Santa’s helper.