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, from 2006 to 2015 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.

“Hirschli” CD’s on your own
On these following CD’s you will find the whole range of Appenzell natural yodel singing: