The University A Cappella Choir of Concordia traveled to Iowa, Indiana and Michigan on its annual spring tour, March 25-29. The 70-member group performed an eclectic mix of music including "Sleep" by Eric Whitacre, folk songs arranged by Mack Wilberg and Richard Smith, several spirituals by Moses Hogan, original compositions by members of Concordia's music department and "Agnus Dei," Samuel Barber's choral transcription of "Adagio for Strings."
"Agnus Dei" was a challenging piece for the choir, according to choir director Dr. Kurt von Kampen, but well worth mastering. "The slow and sorrowful feeling of 'Adagio for Strings' is a perfect fit for the text Barber chose for his choral version," he said.
A highlight of the tour was the concert in Rochester, Mich. The performance there included guest choir appearances by the Lutheran High School Northwest Concert Choir (Rochester Hills) and St. John Rochester Middle School Chorus.
2009 A Cappella Choir tour itinerary
Wednesday, March 25
Trinity Lutheran Church
3223 University Ave.
Des Moines, Iowa.
7:00 p.m. concert
Thursday, March 26
Immanuel Lutheran Church
1700 Monticello Park Dr.
Valparaiso, Ind.
7:00 p.m. concert
Friday, March 27
Lutheran High School Northwest
1000 Bagley Ave.
Rochester Hills, Mich.
2:00 p.m. assembly
Bronner Performing Arts Center
525 East Genesee St.
Frankenmuth, Mich.
7:30 p.m. concert
Saturday, March 28
St. John Lutheran Church
1011 West University Dr.
Rochester, Mich.
7:00 p.m. concert with students from Lutheran High School Northwest and St. John Lutheran Middle School Choirs
Sunday, March 29
St. John Lutheran Church
1011 West University Dr.
Rochester, Mich.
8:00 a.m. worship
Kramer Chapel, Concordia Theological Seminary
6600 North Clinton St.
Fort Wayne, Ind.
7:30 p.m. concert
2008-09 University A Cappella Choir
Sarah Andrews, Senior, St. Louis, Mo.
Ryan Ankersen, Junior, McCook, Neb.
Lindsey Auten, Junior, Blue Hill, Neb.
Peter Baye, Senior, Green Bay, Wis.
Justin Bishop, Sophomore, Macomb, Mich.
Alisha Bohnert, Junior, Jackson, Mo.
Sara Braatz, Sophomore, Milwaukee, Wis.
Brianne Burrill, Sophomore, Loveland, Colo.
Charles Chaveriat, Sophomore, Brookefield, Wis.
Stephanie Christensen, Junior, Omaha, Neb.
Robert Copley, Freshman, St. Charles, Mo.
Rachel Dermody, Senior, Parnell, Iowa
Brianna Dutton, Senior, Chester, Neb.
Tobiah Elbert, Sophomore, Tokyo, Japan
Matthew Elmshauser, Senior, Littleton, Colo.
Kathleen Garner, Senior, Lansing, Kan.
Julia Gremmer, Freshman, New Braunfels, Texas
Eric Gross, Junior, O'Fallon, Mo.
Matthew Harwell, Senior, Blue Springs, Mo.
David Hasseldahl, Senior, Columbia, Mo.
Megan Heidemann, Sophomore, Seward, Neb.
Benjamin Heins, Sophomore, Higginsville, Mo.
Joshua Heirigs, Sophomore, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Lindsey Himmelberg, Junior, Friend, Neb.
Daniel Huth, Junior, Lafayette, Ind.
Daniel Jansen, Senior, Madison, Neb.
Theron Jenkins Jr., Senior, Baltimore, Md.
James Jensen, Freshman, Denver, Colo.
Krista Johnson, Sophomore, Seward, Neb.
Rebecca Kaaz, Junior, Red Bud, Ill.
Brian Klinge, Senior, Dubuque, Iowa
Aaron Kortze, Sophomore, Rockford, Ill.
Katherine Krause, Junior, Rockford, Ill.
Matthew Krause, Senior, Urbandale, Iowa
Caleb Kruse, Junior, Concordia, Mo.
Kjersten Langewisch, Senior, Seward, Neb.
Nick Lee, Sophomore, Seward, Neb.
Jenna Lindeman, Junior, Arvada, Colo.
Marissa Marler, Senior, Springfield, Mo.
Melanie Maxson, Junior, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Jonathan McDaniel, Senior, Cypress, Calif.
Justin Metcalf, Junior, Saint Louis, Mo.
Johanna Miller, Senior, East Helena, Mont.
Rachel Mol, Senior, Flint, Mich.
Julia Mueller, Senior, Swanville, Minn.
Stephanie Mueller, Freshman, Chicago, Ill.
Michael Palomaki, Sophomore, David City, Neb.
Ashley Panwitz, Senior, Alliance, Neb.
Holly Petersen, Freshman, Seward, Neb.
Chase Reihmann, Sophomore, Marengo, Iowa
Lauren Root, Freshman, Naples, Fla.
Andrew Saenz, Freshman, Denver, Colo.
Laura Seaman, Senior, Lake Mary, Fla.
Aaron Schimm, Senior, Bay City, Mich.
Andrew Schultz, Senior, Houston, Texas
Ann Stevenson, Senior, Peoria, Ill.
Lisa Strom, Senior, Centennial, Colo.
Jason Swan, Senior, Lakewood, Colo.
Paul von Kampen, Sophomore, Seward, Neb.
Rory Wendelin, Freshman, Oberlin, Kan.
Jessica Werner, Senior, Hamburg, Minn.
Amanda Wells, Sophomore, Overland Park, Kan.
Chad Wilshusen, Senior, Fremont, Neb.
Sarah Wolff, Sophomore, Wellington, Kan.
Katelyn Wollman, Junior, Kingsville, Md.
Kelsey Wullenwaber, Freshman, Seward, Neb.