About Us
The North American Swiss Singing Alliance (NASSA) is a international Swiss Singing organization, currently comprised of 13 Swiss choral groups from the Upper Mid-West and Canada, representing approximately 300 singers in mixed, men's, women's and yodel choirs.
Our Story
The primary objectives of NASSA are to bring Swiss singing societies together, and to foster and elevate Swiss national folksongs and yodel songs. This is accomplished every three years through a Swiss singing festival, or Singerfest, that is hosted by an individual member society. The main features of each Singerfest, besides a good dose of Gemutlichkeit, are a competition singing event amongst member choirs, and a Mass Concert for the public. Both events combine the efforts and talents of all the singers.
Formed in the late 1800s with singing societies from only the United States, the organization was originally known as the Swiss American Singing Alliance.
In 1988, the Jodlerklub Heimattreu of Calgary, Alberta hosted the first Sangerfest held in Canada (after joining the organization in 1982) and subsequently, the name was changed to the North American Swiss Singing Alliance.
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NASSA is managed by an Executive Board and representatives from each of its member societies.
At the tenth Sangerfest held in St. Louis, Missouri in 1917, a Bundes Banner, or society flag was endowed to the Swiss American Singing Alliance. Since that time, the Bundes Banner has been ceremonially passed at each festival from one host society to the next.
There is a companion organization to NASSA on the west coast called the United Swiss Singing Societies of the Pacific Coast
(USSSPC), which was formed in 1934 and also has festivals to promote similar goals and objectives. One main difference in the festivals of these two national organizations is that the USSSPC features an exhibition, rather than a competitive, singing event amongst its member societies.
Since the late 1990s, the Swiss Center of North America has promoted the heritage, history, culture and accomplishments of the Swiss in the U.S. and Canada. It is located in New Glarus, Wisconsin, and is supported by donations. The Donald G. Tritt Library collects art, books, and other artifacts from Swiss descendants, including memorabilia from our Sangerfests. (www.theswisscenter.org)
Schweizer Mannerchor Helvetia
The first meeting of the Schweizer Männerchor Helvetia occurred on April 23, 1870. An organizing committee was elected for the purpose of drafting a constitution and beginning the work of appealing to the many Swiss living in the cities of Allegheny and Pittsburgh. The Schweizer Männerchor Helvetia is a founding member of the North American Swiss Singing Alliance and has participated in most fests since 1897--hosting in 1939, 1971, 1997, and 2024.
While we are Pittsburgh's oldest extant Swiss cultural organization, the city once boasted three Swiss choruses--with two others being formed, for a time, as the city grew beyond its urban core.
Our founding was firmly rooted in the urban Männerchor tradition, sharing a significant amount of repertoire--and directors--with the local German choruses. As time went on, new relationships were formed with a greater diversity of Swiss singing groups. This followed the establishment of NASSA, helping the group to develop a more distinctly Swiss character.
As we approached our 75th anniversary, the demands of World War II led to a decline in the number of men in the chorus. Ladies joined the group for some time helping to keep the chorus alive during war time. Ever since 1955, the chorus has continued its tradition of singing as a men's choral ensemble.
Today's chorus has a repertoire ranging from classical art songs, folk, patriotic music, yodels, and more.