The Choir

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Founded in 1851, the Washington Saengerbund is the oldest singing society in continuous existence in the Washington D.C. Metro area. 

Christopher Knoedler was born and raised in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He was a member of Salem Evangelical Lutheran Church, the oldest (1833) Lutheran Church in Michigan which was founded by a large population of German immigrants that settled in the area. He began playing the organ in church when he was 12 years old, then in adult life he also became the director of the church’s choir.

    Christopher attended Eastern Michigan University where he had the opportunity to study organ with Dr. Mary Ida Yost and choral music with Prof. Emily Lowe. He had the privilege to tour the UK for four weeks with the EMU Madrigal Singers under the direction of Prof. Lowe.

    Music has been a large part of Christopher’s life from teaching piano lessons and playing the organ for many churches to being the director of several choirs both sacred and secular. Additionally, he has been very involved in community theater having directed, music directed and produced many productions.

    Having sung previously with the Washington Sängerbund, Christopher is excited to have returned to the group, but this time as the conductor. For Christmas 2021, he led the first public performance since the choir resumed singing after the global pandemic shut down all activity for more than a year. He is impressed by the choir’s strong desire to make music and is humbled by the warm acceptance they have already shown him.