The Tanunda Liedertafel in concert: Lisa enjoys the music in the Barossa Valley region of South Australia

Tuesday nights in Tanunda sees a tradition that goes back one hundred and forty five years. A bunch of blokes gather in the basement of the Tanunda Soldier's Memorial Hall for a tipple and a song or two. The Tanunda Liedertafel is a Barossa institution, which has been going strong since 1861.

Conductor, Robert Homburg's been a member since he was 22 and follows in the footsteps of his father who was the conductor for fifty years. Here history runs deep and like a full-bodied Barossa Red, it's a blend of the old Barossa Deutsche and all that's followed since.

The Tanunda Liedertafel is all about camaraderie, a wine or two and "musique". Not much has changed since a group of German speaking farm workers, cellar hands, pickers, pruners and winemakers got together 145 years ago.

"Most of the music we sing today is traditional German music," said Vaughan Heenan. "One of the pieces we're singing this year, is exactly the same piece that was sung at our first concert at the Tanunda Hotel on the 16th of October 1861."

Throughout it's history the men of the Tanunda Liedertafel have competed in numerous Zangerfests or festivals of German music.

"The name Liedertafel is literally translated as 'singing table', said Vaughan. "So imagine a group of men sitting around a table with a "schluck" (a drink) in their hand and singing and having remembrances of their days back in Germany,"

And for those early Barossa Deutsche the pull of the heartstrings are never more powerful than at Christmas.

The Tanunda Liedertafel is performing at the Tanunda Show Hall on November 17th. Tickets are $22 and can be purchased from the choir's Treasurer John Boyce on 8563 2361. If you have any further question please email info@postcards-sa.com.au

The Tanunda Liedertafel The 2006 Kaffee Abend Concert Tanunda Show Hall November 17th Tickets $22 Contact John Boyce on 8563 2361.

Published 5th November 2006