Although the Coplay Saengerbund celebrated its 96th anniversary Sunday, it is already planning for 2017 when the club at Fifth Street and Schreiber Avenue will reach the century mark.

With Austrian-Geman music at the core of the club's foundation, the Stiftungfest for decades has been held in the grove under the magnificent towering trees. A concert takes place indoors with polka music outdoors afterward.

Not much has changed and Sunday was no exception. The air-conditioned hall was packed with a crowd enjoying the music. The outdoor pavilion featured the Josef Kroboth Orchestra. An Austrian style food court offered brat; pork and sauerkraut, German potato salad and other European fare.

In his first year as club president, Kevin Fritz, said he wants "to keep the heritage of the club going."

The music has been a vital part of the club for 96 years and the club's musicians are looking forward to the 100th birthday of the club.

The Coplay Saengerbund Chorus, under the direction of Joseph Weber and accompanist Kathy Alonzo, performed a variety of selections including "Gruss Die Heimat," a Forever Everly (Brothers) medley, an abridged version of the "Complete History of Western Music" and "Dear Land of Home."

Chorus singers included Delores DiSante, Clara Glover, Gina Houck, Hilda Koetting, Frieda Peischler, Joan Oplinger, Ida Bartholomew, Cathy Boyer, Stella Eberhart, Cathy Marx, Dorothy Trinkle, Helen Vetrok, Margaret Weber, Rev. Tim Boyer, Pat Demillo, Robert Holland, Alfred Lederer, Steve Rosco, Joe Geosits, Paul Reinsmith and John Wechsler.

The club's Hianzchor under the direction of Robert Strauch, who also played button box accordion, performed "Steig ich den Berg hinauf," "Zwei rehbraune augen," "In einer kleinen Taverne," "I ben holt a Lump."

The singers were Pauline Albert, Ida Bartholomew, Dolores DiSante, Stella Eberhart, Marie Giedl, Gisela Herrmann, Hermanine Jarosch, Eleanor Kovalchick, Freida Peischler, Helen Vetrok, Joe Geosits, Frank Jarisch, Alfred Lederer, John Mikitsh, Joseph Petersell, Reinhold Radke, Frank Serensits, Rubert Tobisch, Barbara Tobisch and Dorothy Trinkle.

Performances by the Reading Liederkranz Chorus and the Lancaster Hobby Chor also were well received.