How was it back then in the GDR? What significance did church music have, under what conditions singing, playing, rehearsing and performing were undertaken? The author, who shortly before the peaceful revolution assumed a leading position in the field of church music and thereby gained some insights into the structures at that time, provides insights into the musical life of the church in the GDR, its challenges and achievements, by communicating many interesting events and personal experiences. It is important to him to acknowledge thankfully the support given by the old Federal Republic. The experiences of that time are of relevance - under very different conditions - also in regard of the future. Wie war das damals in der DDR? Welche Bedeutung hatte die Kirchenmusik, unter welchen Bedingungen wurde gesungen, gespielt, geübt und aufgeführt?Der Autor, der kurz vor der Friedlichen Revolution eine leitende kirchenmusikalische Stellung übernahm und noch Einblick in die damaligen Strukturen gewann, gibt anhand vieler interessanter Begebenheiten und persönlicher Erlebnisse Einblick in das kirchenmusikalische Leben in der DDR, seine Herausforderungen und seine Leistungen. Es ist ihm wichtig, die Unterstützung, die aus der alten Bundesrepublik kam, dankbar zu würdigen. Die Erfahrungen von damals sind auch für die Zukunft - unter ganz anderen Gegebenheiten - relevant. [Under Cross, Hammer, Compass, and Ring of Rye]How was it back then in the GDR? What significance did church music have, under what conditions singing, playing, rehearsing and performing were undertaken?The author, who shortly before the peaceful revolution assumed a leading position in the field of church music and thereby gained some insights into the structures at that time, provides insights into the musical life of the church in the GDR, its challenges and achievements, by communicating many interesting events and personal experiences.It is important to him to acknowledge thankfully the support given by the old Federal Republic. The experiences of that time are of relevance - under very different conditions - also in regard of the future.