On January 10, 2026, we sang our New Year’s concert in the Inselkirche on Hermannswerder. The surroundings were magical: winter afternoon light falling through the trees onto glittery snow and ice. The deep silence on the nearly traffic-free peninsula. People walking and skating on the frozen River Havel.
Our warm-up singing before the concert took full advantage of the wonderful acoustics of the church, and the collective excitement and anticipation reached a first climax. In the parish hall, we were able to briefly gather and fortify ourselves just before the concert. When we returned to the church, nearly every seat was taken.
The concert that followed was a highlight for many of us and a strong gesture of hope for a good start to 2026. In just three months of rehearsals and with seven new singers, we managed to get our New Year’s program ready for the big day.
The selection of songs was, as usual, eclectic (Christmas, winter, New Year’s, church and jazz songs, a lullaby, a candombe song), making for a great, varied, experience: From the very contemplative and solemn to relaxed jazz songs to the rousing Afro-Uruguayan candombe.
This was our setlist:
- Ndikhokhele (South Africa)
- Cantique de Jean Racine (France)
- När det lider mot jul (Sweden)
- Tuikkikaa oi joulun tähtöset (Finland)
- As times goes by (USA, world premiere of the choir arrangement by Michael Zigutkin, *Moonlight and love songs… a quote from this song)
- Mary did you know (USA)
- Die Nacht (Austria)
- Schedrik (Ukraine)
- Lass Du mich stille werden (Germany)
- Candombe (Uruguay)
- Stemning (Sweden/Denmark)
- Dobrij wechir tobi (Ukraine)
- Lullaby (USA)
- Whisper not (USA)
Afterwards, there was a joyful reunion with former members, friends and relatives who had come to hear us sing.
We received some fantastic feedback from our general audience. For example, from Martina:
Your concert was fantastic. A wonderful musical experience. I thoroughly enjoyed this afternoon and once again realized what singing can achieve. You were absolutely brilliant.
Or:
Yesterday was soooooo great. The mix, the linguistic virtuosity… Simply wonderful. I’m looking forward to your next concert.” (C.H.)
After the concert, we celebrated together in the nearby parish hall, carried on singing and brought the day to a fitting close.
A big thank you goes to the parish, which hosted our New Year’s concert for the fourth time at this special location with the use of the church and the adjacent premises, and with the support of the sexton and the pastor.