We sing for Jesus

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

We sing for Jesus is a musical work in the Christian music scene, which today forms the roof over the Voices for Christ choir under the direction of Ruthild Eicker , the Eicker family formation and the singing duo Elsa & Ernst August Eicker .

History and Development

The musical work was created in 1966 with the establishment of the Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Choir by Ernst August Eicker , who had previously conducted several larger project choirs such as the so-called "Alliance Choirs" of the German Evangelical Alliance or Janz Team Campaign Choirs .

Initially brought into being by Robert Bührer only for the musical framework program of an evangelism by merging two local parish choirs, the choir community was initially continued, as the evangelist and then director of Radio Evangile invited to a subsequent event in Strasbourg . Having become aware of this, the choir was subsequently discovered by Evangeliums-Rundfunk in Germany and the publisher Gerth Medien . Recordings for radio and vinyl soon followed. We sing for Jesus continued to grow as a musical work through other formations such as the Wir-singen-für-Jesus guitar choir and the singing duo Elsa & Ernst August Eicker , which had been known as such since 1963 through record singles . When her two daughters Ruthild and Cornelia grew up, the family quartet The Eickers was formed and in 1971 Elsa Eicker founded the Wir-singen-für-Jesus children's choir .

In the years it was active from 1966 to 2004, the Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor ( Wir- Singen -für-Jesus-Choir) reached a broad spectrum of listeners with its special range of styles, from classical church music to the New Spiritual Song to gospel and Christian pop music . In addition to the first trip abroad to France a few weeks after its first appearance, the choir, which always counts sixty to one hundred voices, toured several times in different countries such as the USA, Israel, Canada, Italy, Switzerland and Brazil. In Germany, the choir sometimes performed with numerous well-known musicians and speakers such as Doris Loh , Margret Birkenfeld , Sören & Bettina , Gerhard Bergmann and appeared in the ZDF television service .

The Eickers as a quartet were the first to hit the thousand mark under the most popular title on the radio program “Gern Hearts” on gospel radio with “Look back”.

After 16 years of choir leadership, Elsa Eicker handed the children's choir over to her daughter, now a music teacher, Ruthild. Under her leadership, this was expanded into a children's and youth choir and finally renamed Kids For Christ . Among the successes of the musical work of Wir singen für Jesus unter und für Kinder are above all the children's musicals by Ruthild Eicker. Her debut work “The Living Book” was performed so successfully for almost ten years that a follow-up project was published in 2004 with “The Good News”. Children's choir work has been suspended since 2006.

In 2004 Ernst August Eicker resigned the direction of his choir after more than 4,000 appearances. Since then, Ruthild Eicker has continued the choir work with the vocal formation Voices For Christ, reduced to approx. 25 voices . The group was already successfully involved in children's musicals in previous years. In addition to concert activities, music and video production, the group has also performed at major Christian music festivals.

Discography

Singles

Record singles

year title Contributors Label Remarks
page A Side B
1963
  • Is it true that Jesus died for me?
  • O do not let the spirit flee from you
 Elsa & Ernst August Eicker Gerth Media
Single 45,677 		Debut single of the duo
1964
  • Bring the lifeline (the lifeline)
  • Oh how beautiful does Jesus' name sound
  • When I looked through my book of life (Come on, he accepts sinners)
    ( Ernst August Eicker )
Elsa & Ernst August Eicker Gerth Media
Single 45,694
1966
  • Sin would be blood red
  • O Jesus, you are standing outside
  • Jesus guides me safely
  • I know the father up there sees
 Elsa & Ernst August Eicker Gerth Media
Single 45,929
196?
  • God's people must never tire
  • Mighty rivers of blessings
  • Hallelujah, extol the cross (The cross, it stands firm) 1
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Ernst August Eicker

Gerth Media
Single 75,940 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1967 God will carry you Elsa & Ernst August Eicker Gerth Media
Single 45,946
  • God will carry you
  • Are you looking for peace
  • Once people lay wrapped in darkness
  • It goes home
1966
  • Master, the winds rage
  • I was so weak and guilty
  • I want to strive for life (you guide my steps)
 We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
Single 45,949 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1967
  • Who sees Jesus on the cross in faith
  • Jesus guides me everywhere 1
  • Soul, up, I will announce it 1
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Ernst August Eicker

Gerth Media
Single 45,956 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1967 Elsa & Ernst August Eicker Gerth Media
Single 75,963
1969 Jerusalem We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Ernst August Eicker

Gerth Media
Single 45,971 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
  • Jerusalem (I saw it in a dream) [single version] 1
  • Praise in his sanctuary
  • And so spoke he who sits on the throne
1970 How much God loved the world Elsa & Ernst August Eicker
Wetzlar studio choir *
under the direction of Margret Birkenfeld 		Gerth Media
Single 75,990 		* Designation at initial publication: "Members of the Wetzlar Evangelium Choir"
1966 We are young people We-sing-for-Jesus guitar choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
Single 45,108 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Guitar choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
  • We are young people
  • Once I was looking for earthly joy
  • Oh how wonderful it is to know
  • Medley: Sing Hallelujah / I'm happy / Never again / Yes to be young (I'm young and I'm free)
196? People who found Jesus We-sing-for-Jesus guitar choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
Single 75,121 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Guitar choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
  • People who found Jesus
  • Did you consecrate yourself to the Lord early?
  • Sing it to me again
  • If after the night of death
1975 In the stars God's work I see We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		We sing for Jesus
Privat Pressing
Single 65,410 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
  • In the stars (In the stars God's work I see)
  • Torn the world
    [from LP no. 20274]
  • We'll live with him (Risen from the grave night)
  • His goodness and grace (without path, without light, without help)
    [from LP no. 20274]
  • Yes that is wonderful
1969
  • Your sin torments you
  • Soul, your Savior is free from bonds
  • Praise him, praise him 1
  • I do not know when Christ my King will appear 1
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Ernst August Eicker
string group Gerlach

Gerth media
single 		* Designation at the initial publication: "Youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1975
  • Do you have no room for Jesus
  • A day's work for the Savior
 Elsa & Ernst August Eicker
Wetzlar studio choir
under the direction of Margret Birkenfeld 		Gerth media
single no. ? 		Publication of the two music tracks in the form of the single shown here is questionable.

CD singles

year title Contributors Label Remarks
2006 Hold On To Me Voices For Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		We sing for Jesus
no? 		Single was released as an enhanced CD
[1] Hold On To Me • [2] There For Me • [3] Keep The Candle Burning • [4] Where Is Your Love

Albums

year title Contributors Label Remarks
1974 Miracle of grace of Jesus We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Cornelia Eicker
2 Ruthild Eicker
3 Ernst August Eicker
Elsa & Ernst August Eicker
The Eickers
Frauentzett from We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir :
• Elsa Eicker
• Irmel Busch
• Hanna Ottofülling

We sing for Jesus
LP 20274
MC 20274 		* Designation at the initial publication varies between “Choir: 'Wir singen für Jesus'” and sometimes “Youth choir 'Wir singen für Jesus'”;
Alternative LP-No .: F 65.138;
Rights today with Gerth Medien ( LC -13743)
[1] Glorious is life 1; 2 • [2] If you know Jesus ( The Eickers ) • [3] One day we will see him (When we see need and misery) • [4] Torn the world apart • [5] Just tell him everything (Jesus leaves me never alone) ( Elsa & Ernst August Eicker ) • [6] His goodness and grace (Without path, without light, without help) • [7] Once in heaven ( Cornelia Eicker ; Ruthild Eicker ) • [8] happiness (Happiness means) ( The Eickers ) • [9] Whether the sun will shine tomorrow ( Cornelia Eicker ; Ruthild Eicker ) • [10] There is joy in you • [11] Miracles of the grace of Jesus 3 • [12] Where there is no more cloud piles up (women's choir from Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor ) • [13] Tell me, Wächter ( Ernst August Eicker ; women's choir from Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor ) • [14] Will the Lord find us watching ( When Jesus comes and rewards his own) ( The Eickers ) • [15] Lord, God, we praise you (Ambrosian hymn of praise)
1976 10 years We-Sing-for-Jesus-Choir * We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir **
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker

1 Cornelia Eicker
2 Ruthild Eicker
3 Ernst August Eicker
4 The Eickers
5 We-sing-for-Jesus-Children's Choir
under the direction of Elsa Eicker
Frauentzett from We-sing-for-Jesus Choir :
• Renate Wader
• Irmel Busch
• Hanna Ottofülling

We sing for Jesus
MC 70276
LP 20276 (?) 		* Original title when initially published: “Ten years of choir 'Wir singen für Jesus'”;
** Designation at the time of initial publication: “Chorus 'We sing for Jesus'”;
Alternative LP-No .: F 665.655;
Rights today with Gerth Medien ( LC -13743)
[1] Prayers are miraculous performers • [2] Out of sins 1; 2 • [3] Believe God • [4] The rough old cross (there it was written on Golgotha) 4 • [5] Glorious hours ( Cornelia Eicker ; Ruthild Eicker ) • [6] Make me ready at all times (Make me ready for you ready) ( We-sing-for-Jesus-children's choir ) • [7] Praise and praise the Lord (O Lord, I thank you) 5 • [8] I want to exalt you, my God • [9] Give God Love space (give God's love space) ( We-sing-for-Jesus-children's choir ) • [10] The Savior takes care of you (women's dance from Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor ) • [11] Do you know about people 3 • [12] In the dust by the road (women's choir from Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor ) • [13] At Jesus' hand ( The Eickers ) • [14] The new heaven (I saw a new heaven) 4
1978 We go through time We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,781 		* Designation at initial publication: "Choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1979 It's a good way Cornelia Eicker *
Ruthild Eicker * 		Gerth Media
LP 33,792 		* Designation at initial publication: "The Eickers"
1980 He gave me joy We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,797 		* Designation at initial publication: "Choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1981 10 years We-sing-for-Jesus-Children's Choir *
anniversary record 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Children's Choir **
under the direction of Elsa Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,640 		* Original title on initial appearance: “10 years of children's choir 'Wir singen für Jesus' - Jubilee record”;
** Designation at initial publication: "Children's choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1982 We want to spread the word We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir *
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,913 		* Designation at initial publication: "Choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1984 Let's praise him together We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,930
1986 Praise the Lord, all the world
20 years of "We sing for Jesus" * 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,945 		Double album with compilation part from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications on the second sound carrier;
* Subtitle at initial publication: "We sing for Jesus Choir - 1966–1986"
1988 Praise his glory We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,964
1991 We sing for Jesus
25 years "We sing for Jesus" * 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir under the direction of Ernst August Eicker
Kids For Christ **
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 38.987 		* Subtitles on initial appearance: "25 years we sing for Jesus choir - 20 years children's choir";
** Designation at initial publication: "Children's choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
1993 Give glory to our God We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 39.021
1996 God is the reason for our joy
30 years of singing for Jesus choir 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.075
2000 Jesus, you are Lord We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.193
2002 Festival of Christmas carols We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker
Voices For Christ *
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker
Kids For Christ **
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker
Family Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.242 		* Designation at initial publication: "Voices";
** Designation at initial publication: "Children's and youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"

Children's musicals

year title Contributors Label Remarks
1997 The living book
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		Kids For Christ **
Voices For Christ **
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.724 		* Subtitle at initial publication: “A musical with the children's and youth choir 'Wir singen für Jesus'”;
** Designation at initial publication: "Children's and youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
2001 Christmas time online
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		Kids For Christ
Voices for Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.754 		* Subtitle at initial publication: "A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker-Grothe with the 'Wir singen für Jesus' team"
2004 The good news
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		Kids For Christ
Voices For Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.774 		* Subtitle at initial publication: "A musical with the 'We sing for Jesus' team and 'Voices'"
2011 Rock am Riff
How Jona got into the belly of the fish
A children's mini-musical by Ruthild Eicker with the FCSL-Kids and Voices For Christ * 		FSCL-Kids
Voices For Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Edition Media-Pro
110501-CD 		* Subtitle at initial publication: "Children's Mini-Musical"
2014 The lions are on the loose!
The lion who didn't want to eat Daniel
A children's mini- musical by Ruthild Eicker with the FSCL-Kids and Voices For Christ * 		FSCL-Kids
Voices For Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Edition Media-Pro
140601-CD 		* Subtitle at initial publication: "A children's mini-musical by Ruthild Eicker"
[1] Scene 1 • [2] Jungle rock • [3] Scene 2 • [4] The lions are loose • [6] Trust in God, Daniel • [7] Scene 4 • [8] Scene 5 • [9 ] God is wonderful • [10] Scene 6 • [11] Scene 7 • [12] Jungle rock (recapitulation)

Concept albums

year title Contributors Label Remarks
1969 Through life with Jesus
readings and short speeches by Robert Bührer with music from the We-sing-for-Jesus choir * 		Robert Bührer (speaker)
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
LP 33,733 		* Subtitles for initial publication: “Readings and brief addresses: Robert Bührer”;
In addition to first-time releases, the album contains music tracks in secondary use from previous releases

Compilation albums

The following list is limited to compilation albums with Wir singen für Jesus , or his individual artists and formations, as the express subject of the compilation.

year title Contributors Label Remarks
1994 Wish songs We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 39.037 		Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1978 to 1991
1999 The most beautiful songs from the We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir wish songs
• Volume 2 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.146 		Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1965 to 1993
2001 Living with Jesus is joy
The most beautiful songs from the We-sing-for-Jesus children's choir and Kids For Christ * 		We-sing-for-Jesus children's choir
under the direction of Elsa Eicker
Kids For Christ
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.756 		* Subtitle at initial publication: “The most beautiful songs from the children's and youth choir 'Wir singen für Jesus'”;
Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1979 to 1997
2001 Sing Hallelujah
wish-songs • Volume 3 		We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.210 		Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1963 to 1988
2006 I look back
40 years "We sing for Jesus" 		We-singen-für-Jesus-Chor
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker
We-singen-für-Jesus-Kinderchor *
under the direction of Elsa Eicker
Voices For Christ **
under the direction of Ruthild Eicker
Die Eickers *** 		Gerth Media
CD 939.318 		Media combination of music CD and DVD;
Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1963 to 2000;
On the DVD also partly video recordings in secondary use in addition to music videos, an interview with Ruthild and Ernst August Eicker by Jürgen Werth as well as a photo slideshow in the first publication;
* Designation at initial publication: “Children's and Youth Choir”;
** Designation at the initial publication: "We sing for Jesus Team";
*** Name at initial publication: "Familie Eicker"
2010 Unforgotten 8 - Elsa & Ernst August Eicker
Elsa & Ernst August Eicker and We-sing-for-Jesus-Choirs *
Original recordings from the years 1964–1970 		Elsa & Ernst August Eicker
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker
We-sing-for-Jesus-Guitar Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Gerth Media
CD 939.419 		* Subtitles on initial publication: " Elsa & Ernst August Eicker with choir";
Compilation album from secondary exploitation titles from previous publications from 1964 to 1970

Special publications

year title Contributors publishing company Remarks
1995 A day of joy Bärbel Wilde (author)
We-sing-for-Jesus-Choir
under the direction of Ernst August Eicker 		Johannis-Verlag
ISBN 3-501-05031-3 		Media combination of small format picture book with texts by Bärbel Wilde and music CD with four music tracks in secondary use from previous publications of the Wir-singen-für-Jesus-Chor
[1] Praise the Lord, the mighty King of Honor [from Gerth Medien - LP no. 33.964 ] • The new Hallelujah [from Gerth Medien - CD-No. 39.021 ] • [3] There is joy in you [from Gerth Medien - CD-No. 38,987 ] • [4] Peace with you [from Gerth Medien - LP-No. 33,913 ]

Filmography

year title publishing company Remarks
1995 On the way to Ninive
A musical for children and adults by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		We sing for Jesus
VHS		 Stage show production with Kids For Christ and Voices for Christ under the direction of Ruthild Eicker ;
* Subtitles at initial publication: “A musical for children and adults with songs and scenes by Lebrecht Heidenreich , Johannes Nitsch and Ruthild Eicker ”;
** Designation at the initial publication: "We sing for Jesus children's and youth choir"
1997 The living book
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		ERF-Verlag
VHS 21058		 Studio production recording of the stage show with Kids For Christ and Voices for Christ under the direction of Ruthild Eicker ;
* Subtitle at initial publication: “A musical with the children's and youth choir 'Wir singen für Jesus'”;
** Designation at initial publication: "Children's and youth choir 'We sing for Jesus'"
2004 Christmas time online
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		Gerth Medien
DVD 045023
Media-Pro 		Film adaptation with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ under the direction of Ruthild Eicker ;
* Subtitle at initial publication: "A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker-Grothe with the 'Wir singen für Jesus' team"
2005 The good news
A children's musical by Ruthild Eicker with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ * 		Gerth Media
DVD 045025		 Studio production recording of the stage show with Kids For Christ and Voices For Christ under the direction of Ruthild Eicker ;
* Subtitle at initial publication: "A musical with the 'We sing for Jesus' team and 'Voices'"

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://ccmrezis.de/sonstiges/features/interview-wsfjc.htm (link not available)
  2. ↑ http://www.wirsingenfuerjesus.de/downloads/lebenslaufbericht.pdf
  3. ↑ Ruthild Eicker ( Memento from March 5, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  4. ↑ http://www.wirsingenfuerjesus.de/service/newsarchiv/1000xschauichzurueck.html
  5. ↑ Archive link ( Memento from April 19, 2016 in the Internet Archive )
  6. ↑ Ruthild Eicker-Grothe takes over the choir "Wir singen für Jesus" ( Memento from July 9, 2012 in the web archive archive.today )
  7. ↑ http://www.musikansich.de/verbindungen/0603/news/p7_01.html
  8. ↑ http://www.wirsingenfuerjesus.de/images/2gmfestival.jpg