Music

Concordia University, Nebraska’s music programs offer rigorous preparation to glorify God in your future vocations through the study and performance of music. Through applied lessons, participation in one of our outstanding ensembles or academic music pursuits, hundreds of students of any major can make great music and lifelong friendships at Concordia.

Want to learn more? 

A Distinctive Education

  • About a third of Concordia students participate in music through lessons, ensembles and classes. 
  • Several ensembles tour nationally, and the A Cappella Choir takes an international tour every four years. 
  • Music majors from 20+ different states call Concordia home. 
  • Students may spend a semester in Cambridge, England’s leading center for choral and church music. 
  • There are 12 organs on campus by 11 different builders. 
  • Most pianos in the music department were manufactured by Steinway, and we are on the way to becoming an all-Steinway school. 
  • Concordia students won the biennial Richard Hillert Award in Student Composition in 2018, 2020 and 2022. 
  • Concordia students won the biennial Norma Aamodt-Nelson Student Scholar Award of the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians in 2021 and 2023. 
  • A Concordia graduate was a 2023 winner of the Metropolitan Opera’s Eric and Dominique Laffont Competition. 
  • Concordia is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music

Events for High School Students 

National Honor Band

Each year, the best high school instrumentalists from around the country audition to be a part of Concordia’s National Honor Band. In their time on campus, selected participants work with Concordia's music faculty and students in rehearsals and a performance. 

Apply for National Honor Band

National Honor Choir

High school singers from around the country can audition to be part of Concordia’s National Honor Choir and work with music faculty and students in rehearsals and a performance. 

Apply for National Honor Choir

Summer Music Camp

Explore your God-given musical talents with our summer music camp for high schoolers! Attend music classes and rehearsals with Concordia faculty and students.

Discover Your Spark

Summer Chamber Choir

The Summer Chamber Choir gives Seward-area high school students an opportunity to work with the conductor of our top choirs. Auditions are held beginning in April, with rehearsals twice per week and performances on July 4 and in August. 

Upcoming Events and Tours

 

Friday 22 March '24 7:00pm
Student Composers Recital
Borland Center Recital Hall
Saturday 23 March '24 1:00pm
Senior Recital – Grace Miller [organ]
Borland Center Recital Hall
Saturday 23 March '24 3:00pm
Senior Recital – Emily Black [piano]
Borland Center Recital Hall
Saturday 23 March '24 5:00pm
Trombone Choir Recital
Borland Center Recital Hall

Christmas at Concordia

Christmas at Concordia is a cherished annual tradition of scripture readings, hymns and choral and instrumental music from Concordia students and faculty. More than 3,000 attendees travel from all over the country to attend the concert series. 

Learn more about Christmas at Concordia

Academic Programs

Church Music
B.Mus.
Arts icon Church Work icon100%career outcome rate
Music
B.A.
Arts icon Humanities icon100%career outcome rate
Music Education
B.Mus.
Arts icon Church Work icon Education icon Humanities icon98%career outcome rate

Music Faculty

Concordia’s award-winning music faculty includes active recitalists, clinicians, composers and church musicians. 

  • All 5 full-time music faculty members have received teaching awards. 
  • 300+ published musical compositions 
  • 20+ part-time specialists teach applied lessons, composition and other courses. 

Meet the faculty

Concordia ensembles performing in concert

Music Ensembles

All students are welcome to audition for ensembles, even if you aren’t a music major. Concordia's ensembles provide professional music education and performance preparation in a wide range of vocal and instrumental combinations. 

View Concordia's Ensembles

Music student playing the organ in the Recital Hall

Music Facilities

At Concordia Nebraska, students who perform in music ensembles have access to rehearsal spaces, practice rooms, instruments, a recital hall and a recording studio, each designed to support and encourage your musical endeavors. Here, you’ll find everything you need to become the musician you want to be. 

View our music facilities

A Cappella Choir practicing in the front of the Recital Hall

Music Scholarships

Concordia values the talents and music contributions of students in all programs—any new student is eligible for a music scholarship, regardless of major. Students intending to major in music are invited to audition for our full-tuition music scholarship, awarded by competition each fall. For the full tuition scholarship awarded in 2025-26, auditions must be received by October 25, 2024.

Learn more about music scholarships

Music Student Handbook

The Music Student Handbook is designed as a guide to procedures, regulations and other aspects of academic life for music students at Concordia University, Nebraska. 

2023-24 Music Student Handbook

 

For more information, contact: 

Department of Music
music@cune.edu
402-643-7282

Music News