Walter, aka Hirschli (“little deer”), was born on October 5, 1965, and grew up in Stein AR at the Restaurant Hirschen. From an early age, Walter discovered his love of music and joined the local brass band as a wind player.

As a Silvesterchlaus in a group of young boys “Buebeschüppeli“, the successful “Buebechörli Stää” emerged, in which Walter sang as a founding member for seven years.

At the age of 18, he joined the “Schötzechörli Stein AR“, where he pursued his great passion for yodeling for around twelve years. His enthusiasm for music also led him to learn to play the double bass under the guidance of the legendary Horn-Sepp.

Through his friendship with Josef Rempfler, the group “Städelimusig” was founded, and in 1996 a recording was made together with his yodeling duet partner at the time, Hampi Schefer. For seven years, Walter provided the rhythmic backbone on bass for the dance band “Promillos from Appenzell“.

Since 2003, Hirschli has been the bassist for Appenzeller Echo. Alongside his work with the Echo, he served as conductor of the “Chrobeg-Chörli Gonten” from 2006 to 2015, in the village where he also resides. For 50 years, Hirschli enjoyed what he considered the most wonderful time of the year as a Silvesterchlaus.

Walter Neff works for Breitenmoser Appenzeller Fleischspezialitäten AG as well as for Appenzellerland Tourism AI.

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