Choir Member Profiles
Andrew Mills
Joined in 1999.
Primarily Bass, but occasionally solos in Baritone and/or Tenor.
When my wife went on a Liederkranz trip as the accompanist without me in 1995 I figured I’d better join so that I could go with her the next time. I joined in 1999 so I could learn the songs in time for the next trip.
My mother was a church organist and I have sung in choirs since my early days. I was a boy soprano and would regularly perform in church and in community musicals.
I am a descendant of a German family that arrived in Canada in 1760. The Steeves (German: Stief) family settled near Moncton NB. My father (Jim) was posted to Soest Germany with the Canadian Forces from 1967 to 1970 which put me in Germany from when I was 9 until I was 12. Then, when I grew up, I joined the Air Force and was deployed to Baden Baden during the summers of 1980 and 1981. In my working career (in plastics) I also travelled to Germany to attend the big plastic fair at Messe Duesseldorf every 3 years.
I married Karen Mills who was the Liederkranz pianist for 17 years. I met her when she was playing for a singing class I was taking. A lady in that same singing class suggested Karen play for the Liederkranz.
In my retirement I golf twice a week in the summer and curl twice a week in the winter. I’m also treasurer of my church. My big activity each year is to organize a tour of energy efficient homes called the Eco-Solar Home Tour www.ecosolar.ca. I have also updated our 1949 home all the way to net-zero energy with a ground-source heat pump and 44 solar panels.
Bernd “Bernie” Hornung
Joined in 2019.
Principally a Bass but can manage baritone.
I joined Liederkranz for a different experience to what I had been singing, more secular. Also I wanted to maintain what little German language skills I still had.
According to family lore, I have been singing since my second Christmas. I sang alto as in the children’s choir at Church and progressed through adult. I have sung at Ascension Lutheran Church for over 30 years and previously with Notre Dame de Banane and Concordia Community chorus. I took Grade 4 piano as a child and one year of guitar. I know my way around the instruments but cannot really play them. I think hand coordination and strength were affected by my having had Polio as an infant.
I was born and raised in Calgary and moved to Edmonton when I married an Edmontonian.
I am retired and a widower with two children and two grandsons.
I listen to music (classical and 50s-60s folk), read, watch TV (now into streaming) and have done extensive genealogical research (online based). Lucas Cranach, the Reformation painter and friend of Luther is my 16th great grandfather.
Music has always been part of my life and will continue to be so. My worst fear would be to lose the ability to hear music in the world.
Edgar “Ed” Janot
Joined in 1992.
Bass
Besides his strong voice in the choir bass section, Ed ensures each choir member has all the up-to-date sheet music. Our choir's note-wort. Also, Ed manages the Tombola, our annual choir fundraiser, keeps the temperature in the practice room regulated and tends to many other tasks, which keeps the affairs of the choir in order.
Ed was born on a farm in Northern Alberta to parents who immigrated from Germany who instilled in him the love of German culture and music.
Ed helps serve breakfast to the homeless each Wednesday morning at the Rock Shelter. Married to Loretta, they have 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren.
"I found my singing voice and a great group of friends when I joined Männerchor Liederkranz."
Odo Gorfer
Joined Liederkranz in 1972
Sings Bass.
Before Edmonton, Odo lived in Myrhofen, Austria.
Despite not having any musical background prior to the choir, Odo joined because Ernst Maier, his neighbour in Myrhofen, sang in the choir.
Before retiring, Odo worked as a Carpenter.
He’s married and has two grown children.
Outside of choir he’s interested in gardening, woodworking, and making schnapps.
🎶 Singen mit der Liederkranz macht viel Spaß und ist gut für die Gesundheit. Singen nach der Probe mit etwas Schnapps ist auch schön! 🎶
Ralph Osterwoldt
Joined in 2023
Sings Bass
Ralph says he joined the choir for the “High quality singers to tune in with.” As for musical background, he has sung in numerous choirs for classical works in Ottawa and at university; along with lots of piano as a youth.
Before residing in Edmonton, Ralph studied in Freiburg, Victoria, Oxford. He had various work postings, including Kenya, Germany, Washington DC, Laos, Geneva, but mostly Ottawa.
Ralph was employed as a Specialist in Environmental law & policy, international aid with UN and Canada's federal government.
He was previously married and has two children in their 20s.
His interests outside of choir include outdoors hiking, canoeing, and gardening.
“Freude!”