Appenzell Ausserrhoden honors creative artists
The Canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden presented the CHF 10,000 recognition prize to Chorwald under the direction of conductor Jürg Surber.
Chorwald is the second winner of the Ausserrhoden Recognition Award. According to the canton, choral singing has a long tradition in Appenzell Ausserrhoden and encourages a broad public to engage in cultural activities. Individual professional musicians such as Jürg Surber, the long-standing conductor of the Chorwald, are often able to motivate choirs with their enthusiasm and expertise. This year's cantonal recognition award is therefore also representative of the great commitment shown by other choirs in the canton.
Founded in 1983 as Gemischter Chor Wald AR from a merger between the men's choir founded in 1879 and the women's and daughters' choir founded in 1904, the Chorwald is now a regional choir with over 60 active members from all the surrounding villages.
The performer and choreographer Gisa Frank received the Culture Prize, which is endowed with 25,000 francs. She was born in 1960 and grew up in southern Germany and on Lake Constance in Thurgau. She has lived in Rehetobel since 1988. Gisa Frank, trained in contemporary dance, performative forms of movement and bodywork, has been active in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden for more than twenty years.
