Zelter badge

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Official representation of the Zelter badge in the Federal Law Gazette
Zelter plaque from the Göttschied Choral Society from Idar-Oberstein

The Zelter badge was donated in 1956 by Federal President Theodor Heuss as a state award to honor choir associations that have made a name for themselves in choral music and folk song. It was designed by the Cologne sculptor Heribert Calleen .

history

As early as 1909, the Berliner Liedertafel , a men's choir founded by Carl Friedrich Zelter in 1884 , donated a Zelter plaque for services to German men's singing. Both individuals and corporations were honored (first the city of Berlin, also the German Singers' Association, last in 1930 the Erfurt Men's Choir). The history of the Zelter badge as a state award goes back to the 1920s . The for the needs of amateur music minded Prussian Minister of Science, Art and Education, Otto Boelitz , donated by Circular in 1922 three artistically designed commemorative sheets as state recognition for amateur choirs celebrate its 50-, 75- and 100-year existence. A few years later the memorial leaves were replaced by plaques in bronze, silver and gold. These Zelter plaques were awarded until the beginning of 1942.

During the reconstruction after the war, the German Choir Association took the initiative to revive the Zelter badge as state recognition for long-term efforts and special achievements in the field of choral singing.

On August 7, 1956, Federal President Heuss signed the decree that stipulates that the Zelter plaque will be awarded again in recognition of the 100th anniversary of a choir. The opening words of the decree read:

“I donate the Zelter plaque as an award for choir associations that have made special contributions to the maintenance of choral music and German folk songs and thus to the promotion of cultural life . The details of the award are determined by special guidelines "

- Bonn, August 7, 1956 The Federal President Theodor Heuss The Deputy Federal Chancellor Blücher The Federal Minister of the Interior Dr. Schröder

Guidelines

The guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge were most recently revised by a decree of the Federal President of November 19, 2014 ( Federal Law Gazette I p. 1761 ).

Foundation purpose

The Zelter badge is intended as an award for choir associations that have made special merits in the care of choral music and German folk songs and thus in promoting cultural life.

Appearance and texture

The badge is oval, has the dimensions: 16 cm (height) × 14 cm (width) and is made of bronze . It shows on its front the portrait of Carl Friedrich Zelter (1758–1832), founder of the first Liedertafel and director of the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin , and on the reverse the federal eagle with the inscription: For merits to choral singing and folk song .

Eligibility for proposals and application process

The right to make proposals, which should lead to the award of the Zelter plaque, must be provided by the responsible state minister of culture of the states based on a recommendation from the respective recommendation committees. These proposals are then to be forwarded to the Federal Minister of the Interior, who submits them to the Federal President for a decision. Applications must be submitted in writing to the recommendation committee (or the state ministry or the diplomatic or consular representation) by June 30th of the year. An official form must be used for this. In addition to the application, documents must be attached that reflect the choir's activities in the field of musical or popular values ​​over the past five years.

Award practice

Awarding of the tent plaque to choirs from Schleswig-Holstein (1964)

The Zelter badge is awarded by the Federal President on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of a choir association, but only on application. The prerequisite for the award is the proof that the choir has dedicated itself to the cultivation of choral singing in serious and successful musical work and has acquired artistic or popular education services within the framework of the local conditions. In particular, the activity of the choir association in the five years prior to the application is authoritative and must be recognized accordingly. The plaque is traditionally presented on Sunday Laetare three weeks before Easter in a central ceremony by the Federal President or his representative (State Minister of Culture) together with a certificate.

Excellent choirs (selection)

Awarded to foreign choirs

The Zelter badge can also be awarded to choir associations abroad. The proposals for this are submitted by the Foreign Office based on the recommendation of the Committee of Recommendations. However, the applications must first be submitted to the competent German diplomatic mission there. These applications are then forwarded to the Federal Minister of the Interior via the Foreign Office. The official representation of the Federal Republic of Germany in the country concerned will then hand over the certificate and sticker.

Others

According to the Federal Association of German Choir Associations e. V. were awarded a total of 9,755 Zelter plaques between 1957 and 2002, including 60 plaques to choirs abroad. In 2009 the plaque was awarded to 133 choirs. A comparable award for music associations is the Pro-Musica badge .

literature

  • Franz Spath: The Office of the Federal President . 3. Edition. Droste Verlag, Düsseldorf 1982, p. 97.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Günter Ziesemer: On the history of the Zelter plaque , in: Lied und Chor. Journal for the entire choir. Official organ of the German Singers Association , October 2004
  2. ↑ a b Guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, point 1, Federal Law Gazette No. 39 of August 14, 1956.
  3. ↑ Guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, point 3, Federal Law Gazette No. 39 of August 14, 1956.
  4. ↑ Guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, point 4, Federal Law Gazette No. 39 of August 14, 1956.
  5. ↑ Guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, point 2, Federal Law Gazette No. 39 of August 14, 1956.
  6. ↑ Guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, point 8, Federal Law Gazette No. 39 of August 14, 1956.
  7. ↑ Lotte Baumanns, Ulrich Köhler, Thorsten Wrigge (eds.): The SV manual . 3. Edition. Aachen 2002, ISBN 3-89873-419-6 , p. 401 .
  8. ↑ Highlights. sinfonischer-chor-aachen.de; Retrieved January 21, 2010.
  9. ↑ Decree on the amendment to the guidelines for awarding the Zelter badge, Item 9, Federal Law Gazette No. 40 of July 30, 1960.
  10. ↑ Four choirs are awarded the Zelter badge. Archived from the original on April 21, 2010 ; Retrieved April 25, 2009 .