Holiday happenings

For the first time, Concordia will take its annual Christmas concert to Omaha for a performance. On Saturday, Dec. 8, a concert will be given at 2 p.m. at St. Mark Lutheran Church in West Omaha.

A Concordia Christmas will return to its traditional home of St. John Lutheran Church in Seward for two concerts on Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 and 7 p.m. All performances are free, but tickets are required.

"We are very excited to take this performance to Omaha," said Jeffrey Blersch, chair of Concordia's Department of Music. "After contemplating it for a few years, now is the time."

The concerts will weave together Scripture readings and Christmas music from around the world. The concert program will also include some traditional holiday hymns and pieces composed by members of the department.

Many of the university's music ensembles are participating, including the University A Cappella Choir, University Wind Ensemble, handbell choirs, Concordia Singers, Chamber Choir and the Brass Ensemble. In all, more than 150 student musicians will be involved.

For the first time, concert-goers will be able to take home some Christmas music as well. Concordia's latest CD, In Thy Sweet Humility: A Concordia Christmas, will be released in time for the concerts. The disc contains many of the songs performed each year at the concert along with holiday favorites by the Brass Ensemble. Included in the printed material are four devotions, written by Concordia faculty, based on four of the hymns included each year.

To continue the celebrations, a holiday reception will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. at Three Cedars following the concert in Omaha, while attendees of the concerts in Seward will have the opportunity to enjoy a holiday buffet at Janzow Campus Center between 4:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Buffet tickets are available through Concordia's alumni and university events office by calling 1-800-535-5494, ext. 7240. The reception and buffet tickets are $15 for adults and $7.50 for children.

Concert ticket update: Concert tickets are SOLD OUT for all A Concordia Christmas performances.

Concordia's holiday happenings

Concordia's Senior Art Exhibition opening

• Four senior art students will show and speak about their current work. The show is a culmination of their work at Concordia and allows each student the opportunity to clarify and develop a body of unified work. The exhibit runs through Dec. 19.
• Marxhausen Gallery of Art, Jesse Hall, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Sunday, Dec. 2 from 1-4 p.m.
• Free

A Concordia Christmas

• Many of the university's music ensembles are participating, including the University A Cappella Choir, University Wind Ensemble, handbell choirs, Concordia Singers, Chamber Choir and the Brass Ensemble. In all, more than 150 student musicians will be involved.
• Saturday, Dec. 8, 2 p.m., St. Mark Lutheran Church, 1821 North 90th Street, Omaha CONCERT SOLD OUT
• Sunday, Dec. 9, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., St. John Lutheran Church, 919 North Columbia Avenue, Seward CONCERTS SOLD OUT

Concordia Holiday Reception

• Enjoy a festive buffet of hors d'oeuvres after the A Concordia Christmas concert at St. Mark Lutheran Church.
• Saturday, Dec. 8 from 4-6 p.m.
• Three Cedars, 533 North 86th Street, Omaha
• Adults $15, Children $7.50; tickets available from the alumni office, Weller 204, on Concordia's campus or by calling 1-800-535-5494, ext. 7240.

Concordia Holiday Buffet

• Enjoy a festive buffet meal before or after A Concordia Christmas concert or the Scholarship Parade of Homes.
• John W. Cattle Sr. Conference Room, Janzow Campus Center, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Sunday, Dec. 9, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Adults $15, Children $7.50; tickets available from the alumni office, Weller 204, on Concordia's campus or by calling 1-800-535-5494, ext. 7240.

Scholarship Parade of Homes

• Explore four beautiful homes each uniquely decorated for Christmas. Both turn of the century and new homes are included, displaying the taste and talents of their owners. This is the 13th year for this popular event, and funds raised go to support a local scholarship program.
• Sunday, Dec. 9, from 12:30-4:30 p.m.
• Advance tickets are $8 per person and available from the alumni office, Weller 204, on Concordia's campus or by calling 1-800-535-5494, ext. 7240. Tickets also available from The Cattle National Bank & Trust Co., Jones National Bank & Trust Co. and Fashions by Barb in Seward. Tickets can be purchased on the day of the event for $10 at the main entrance of Seward High School and in the lobby of Weller Hall on Concordia's campus between noon and 2:30 p.m.

Ceramics Sale

• Hand-crafted ceramic items created by Concordia University professors and students will be for sale.
• Brommer Hall, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Friday, Dec. 7, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday, Dec. 8, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

IMPROVable

• The evening will allow the actors and audience members enjoy themselves as they explore the joys and pitfalls of life through the improvisational theatre of the IMPROVable. It will be a night of fun and games in a laid back environment.
• Studio Theatre, Music Center, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Friday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.
• Free; seating is first-come, first-served

Journey to the Manger

• Journey to the Manger is a student-led, outdoor, devotional event involving live scenes depicting a journey through the history of the nativity from the prophesies from Isaiah to the manger where Christ was born. Participants will experience Jesus' birth in a new and personal way. Refreshments are available following.
• Weller Hall, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Tuesday, Dec. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m.; journeys begin every few minutes
• Free, donations accepted

Chamber Ensembles Concert

• A select group of chamber ensembles from the Department of Music at Concordia University will perform.
• Music Center Room 226, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m.
• Free

Winter JazzFest

• The Vocal Jazz Choir and the Jazz Band will each perform an energetic collection of jazz standards and then combine their talents on a selection or two.
• Weller Hall, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Friday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
• Free

Handbell Concert

• Concordia's handbell choirs will perform a collection of holiday favorites and handbell repertoire employing various ringing techniques and song compositions.
• Thom Leadership Education Center Auditorium, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Sunday, Dec. 16, at 3 p.m.
• Free

Concordia University-Seward Community Band Concert

• This annual Christmas concert will include a variety of music including an audience sing-along of Christmas carols and selections from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite. The band is comprised of both students and community members and will put on a show for the whole family.
• Weller Auditorium, Concordia University, 800 North Columbia Avenue, Seward
• Tuesday, Dec. 18, at 7:30 p.m.
• Free

Concert update: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the University-Community Band Concert has been rescheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 22.  Chorale will still perform at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 18.