The beginning

It was in August 2012 at my first school year opening conference when Fr. Guido pointed out that it would be nice if a somewhat special musical arrangement could take place in the festive service on 15 August. After all, it was the patron saint’s day of the monastery church and a day off from school, insofar as attending the service was part of the program for the students.

Fortunately, he also had a concrete suggestion as to what music and instrumentation could be used to achieve this appropriate solemnity. So on Wednesday, 15 August 2012 – after a single rehearsal the day before – six male voices, half of them monks, sang from the Messe brève for soprano and alto (!) by Léo Delibes. Alessandro Valoriani played the organ and actively supported us in this debut.

So far, so good!

The idea of a project choir was born because of how conveniently located this feast day is in the annual cycle and how inviting Engelberg is in mid-August.

Invitation to the project choir

A compact rehearsal period, an appealing choice of works and the opportunity to spend rehearsals hiking or simply chilling out: an offer for motivated singers from church choirs who are still free from rehearsals at this time (summer vacation) but would still like to sing. At the beginning, people from different contexts came together. Singers from the previous place of work, from the Abbey Choir, even individual students were there who wanted to spend the days of the last week of the vacations singing. A very happy thing! And so on 15 August 2013, on the day of the “Assumption of Mary into Heaven”, the Missa brevis in F by Joseph Haydn was sung with the two soprano solos, which soar into the heavens in delightful coloratura.

This was to be the beginning of a beautiful “tradition” that has been repeated every year since then, apart from the special programs in the Corona years.

During this time, very different works were performed. The program was based, on the one hand, on the expected registrations and, on the other, on unwritten rules, which are as follows:

You can’t do without Mozart. Several times it was the offertory “Alma Dei creatoris”, which is now part of the core repertoire and is simply refreshed, but hardly needs to be rehearsed. A highlight in these years was the first performance of the Coronation Mass in 2015 in the monastery church with a record attendance of almost 70 singers.

A piece sung a capella – despite the orchestra being present. For me, the 100th Psalm by Felix Mendelssohn is the warmest memory. Back then (2018), the choir formed in a circle between the stalls and let the call of the first line of the text “Jauchzet dem Herrn alle Welt” (Shout to the Lord, all the earth) resound with unforgettable power.

Is a reference to the history of the monastery possible? Is it possible to integrate a composition penned by an Engelberg monk, or can any connection be made with the chosen work? Music by Felix Mendelssohn is always suitable, as records of his visits to Engelberg (1831 and 1842) are well documented. In 2024, it was a performance of the Mass in D minor by Joh. Bap. Hilber, who was a monastery student in Engelberg from 1905 to 1910.

Sounding generosity

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”: these words from Felix Mendelssohn’s 2nd Symphony, the “Canticle of Praise”, fulfilled a long-cherished dream this August. At its premiere in 1840, this work was hard to beat in terms of opulence, with several hundred participants and an abundance of instruments. Excerpts from it and an orchestral part reduced to chamber music formation were now on the program in 2025.

This powerful final chord, the solemnity of the service including the short, impressive sermon and the unsurpassable splendid weather during the subsequent drink may express the degree of gratitude towards the monastery. It is an incredible privilege to have been able to be musically active in this way for so many years.

Almost like a class reunion – simply over many years

What a joy it is when young and experienced singers come together at the end and join in this praise of God with equal fervor – or simply in this musical experience, as the case may be.

Time and again, singers who had been at the school themselves have come forward to talk about their experiences and memories in the rare breaks between rehearsals. And then there are people who say goodbye at the closing aperitif on August 15 with the words: “See you next time!”

And the next time is likely to be 15 August 2026. For more detailed information, please visit the monastery’s website. The two audition days before the summer vacations are set to receive the sheet music and get to know the music. These are Corpus Christi, 4 June 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. and Saturday, June 13, also from 1.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.

If this report appeals to you, please do not hesitate to register now at stiftschor@stiftsschule-engelberg.ch.

Palm Sunday and Triduum Paschale

The Triduum Paschale is the central highlight of the Catholic liturgical year, which celebrates the suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It begins on the evening of Maundy Thursday and ends on Easter Sunday. The three days, including Good Friday, form the foundation of the Christian faith.

During their days of reflection, the students of the 2nd upper school can experience this highlight of the church year in a very special way.

From Palm Sunday and the Easter days, the Abbey Choir accompanies the liturgy of the Triduum Paschale. You can find the exact times under the link below.

Ruth Mory Wigger
Collegiate bandmaster