The Grand Gospel Summer Concert featuring the Ciscoes as part of the Zarrentiner Monastery Market
36 degrees, sweltering heat—what a summer! With a busy choir weekend in Southern-style weather, the Zarrentin gospel choir “The Ciscoes” kicked off preparations for this year’s summer concert at the end of June. Located right on the lake, the Ratzeburg Youth Hostel provided the perfect setting.
Some of us took advantage of the breaks to take a dip in the lake. Spray bottles, fans, hand fans, damp towels… anything that could provide a bit of relief from the heat was put to use. Armed with plenty of idealism, a great sense of humor, relaxed discipline, and a deep joy in being together—and constantly challenged by our energetic choir director Barbara Rupp—the singers achieved the desired result by the end of the workshop.
The foundation for the 2026 summer repertoire had been laid. Once again, there will be a varied program featuring old hits to sing along to and a few new songs to enjoy. New to the repertoire: “SHACKLES” (German: “Fesseln”), a former No. 1 on the U.S. gospel charts: “Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance!”
Choir: gospelchor-zarrentin.de
Monastery Market: gtv-zarrentin.de/veranstaltungen
Text: Jochen Reinalda
Photo: Tillman Kiehn
