Walter, aka Hirschli (“little deer”), was born October 5, 1965 and grew up in Stein, Appenzell Ausserrhoden, where his family owned the Restaurant Hirschen. Walter discovered his love for making music early in life and joined the wind section of the local music society.
Being a Silvesterklaus (Masked individuals that are part of an old Appenzell tradition that celebrates the New Year, of both Julian and Gregorian calendars) in a "Buebeschüppeli" (a group of boys, that get together as Silvesterkläuse), the group eventually became the successful "Buebechörli Stää" (A choir of boys) where Walter, as one of the founding members, sang for seven years.

At the age of 18 he joined the "Schötzechörli of Stein" (Marksmen choir) and indulged in his great passion for yodeling for 12 years. His love of making music moved him to take bass fiddle lessons with the legendary musician Horn-Sepp.
Together with his friend Josef Rempfler, he founded the group "Städelimusig". A record followed in 1996, in collaboration with his long term yodeling duet partner Hampi Schefer. Later, for over seven years, his contrabass got people moving in the dance band "Promillos from Appenzell".

Walter has been playing bass in the Appenzeller Echo since 2003. Besides making music with Echo, since 2006 he has also conducted the "Chrobeg-Chörli-Gonten" (The Kronberg choir of the village of Gonten). Gonten has become his chosen place of residence. To him, the most beautiful time of the year is around the New Year. That’s when you encounter Hirschli as a marvelous Silvesterklaus as part of the "Waisenhausschuppel" (The orphanage-group).

Professionally Walter Nef is a trainee instructor at a big retail trader of oranges.

Just released is the new CD from Walter Neff "Hirschli" with different formations!
Order now - available from 24 October 2011

The idea was to record his musical creativity on a new CD, with various formations. On this CD you can hear formations and bands, which Walter enjoys precious hours throughout the year - as an active musician and singer and musical director. On four yodelin song, "Hirschli" sings all the voices himself.

Formations & bands on this CD:
Appenzeller Echo, Chlausegruppe Waisehüsler, Chrobeg-Chörli, yodeling duet Gähler / Neff, Yodeling Quartet Grenzgänger, Omsinger Böschelibuebe

Content (Price: 30.- CHF & forwarding charges):

Nr.	Title	Kind	Formation	Sound	PDF
1	Es vo Hondwil mit de Schölle	Zäuerli	Hirschli
2	För d'Karin am Alte-Morge	Chlausezäuerli Walter Frick	Waisehüsler
3	Zwo Sorte Appezöller	Jodellied	Gähler/Neff
4	Öber's Älpli	Jodellied	Chrobeg-Chörli
5	Drei Buuchriibeli	Ländlerli	Appenzeller Echo
6	De Toni bim Melche	Chlausezäuerli Toni Frick	Waisehüsler
7	z'Innerrhode	Jodellied	Böschelibuebe
8	Is Suuflehmeres	Ruggusseli	Hirschli
9	Chorz vor knapp	Polka	Appenzeller Echo
10	De Fricke-Sämi bim Chlause	Chlausezäuerli Sämi Frick	Waisehüsler
11	I bi e Sennebüebli	Jodellied	Grenzgänger
12	De Noldi bim Spasschlause	Zäuerli	Hirschli
13	E-moll Polka	Polka	Appenzeller Echo
14	Isch das nüd Sympathie	Jodellied	Chrobeg-Chörli
15	Bim Hirschli im Reka	Chlausezäuerli	Waisehüsler
16	De Chässalot	Jodellied	Gähler/Neff
17	A de Schwendner Chilbi	Ruggusseli Föschteli	Böschelibuebe
18	Im Puurecheller	Walzer	Appenzeller Echo
19	z'Urnäsch im Hofstöbli	Chlausezäuerli Toni Frick	Waisehüsler
20	Öses Lendli	Jodellied	Hirschli

Contact address:
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or Walter Neff, Schletterstrasse 21, 9108 Gonten, +41 71 794 17 41