Music Ensembles

Directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen

Founded in 1938, the University A Cappella Choir performs both sacred and secular choral music, including newly commissioned works.  

The choir’s members are selected by audition at the start of the fall semester. A Cappella rehearses 5 hours per week with additional sectional rehearsals. 

The University A Cappella Choir has been performing concerts and joining congregations in worship for over 80 years. One of America’s oldest touring Lutheran college choirs, it has performed extensively throughout the United States (including Hawaii) and internationally in Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Spain, Mexico, South Africa and Australia. 

The choir has frequently been invited to perform at conferences of the Nebraska Music Educators Association and the American Choral Directors Association and at other festivals and competitions. It received the gold medal at the 12th Australian International Music Festival in Sydney and earned a spot in the winner’s circle at the prestigious 42nd International Choral Competition in Spittal an der Drau, Austria. 

Directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen

The University Chamber Choir is a select choir that sings classical chamber music and vocal jazz. Its members are selected from the University A Cappella Choir.  

The choir rehearses two hours per week with additional sectional rehearsals. 

In addition to the usual concert and church performances, the choir tours during the spring semester and in May. Past tours have taken the choir to Phoenix, Orlando, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Denver. 

As the Vocal Jazz Choir, the ensemble performs on campus and at jazz festivals in the Great Plains and Upper Midwest. 

Directed by Paul Soulek

The Male Chorus is a select TTBB ensemble with a repertoire of sacred and secular choral music from earliest times to the present.  

Male Chorus rehearses 3 hours per week. Auditions are held at the start of the fall semester; new members are also accepted for the spring semester if there are openings. 

The ensemble sings for worship services, hymn festivals and community events throughout the academic year and performs at the annual Christmas at Concordia concerts and the spring Festival of Anthems and Lessons. The Male Chorus occasionally collaborates with the treble ensemble Cantamus to sing mixed choir (SATB) music. 

Directed by Dr. Jeffrey Blersch

Cantamus performs music for treble voices. Its name, which means “we sing” in Latin, represents the importance of singing together as one voice, sharing our common faith and experiences through song. Members of the choir represent many academic disciplines, and the repertoire of the ensemble is chosen from the full spectrum of choral music from early historical periods to the present. Cantamus occasionally collaborates with the Male Chorus to sing mixed choir (SATB) music.  

Cantamus rehearses 3 hours per week with additional sectional rehearsals. Auditions are held at the start of the fall semester; new members are also accepted for the spring semester if there are openings. 

Cantamus performs regularly for worship services and concerts in Seward and the surrounding areas and at the annual Christmas at Concordia concerts. In November 2021 it was invited to perform at the Nebraska Music Educators Association annual conference. 

Directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen

Mixed Chorus is a non-auditioned SATB choir similar to a church choir. Its focus is on the development of vocal and choral technique, and it performs sacred choral literature of easy to medium difficulty for services in the campus chapel and St. John Lutheran Church.  

Mixed Chorus rehearses on Tuesday evenings for an hour and a quarter. New members are accepted each semester. 

Directed by Robert Cody

The University Wind Symphony is Concordia’s premier instrumental ensemble. Its repertoire is chosen from the entire spectrum of wind ensemble and concert band literature and includes newly commissioned works.  

The University Wind Symphony rehearses on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday afternoons for a total of five hours per week with additional sectional rehearsals. Auditions for the ensemble are held at the start of the fall semester. 

The ensemble tours regionally and nationally; its performances have been featured on The Lutheran Hour radio broadcast.  

Directed by Kate Mathews

The University Orchestra is open to all students and community members who play a string, wind or percussion instrument. The ensemble performs a wide variety of chamber and symphonic masterworks within a collegial and supportive educational atmosphere.  

No audition is required to participate, but auditions may be held for placement within sections. 

The orchestra rehearses on Sunday and Tuesday evenings and performs each semester in concert.

Directed by Robert Cody

The University Band performs a diverse array of traditional and sacred band music.  

Membership is open to all Concordia students and members of the Seward community. No audition is required to participate, but auditions are held for placement within sections. 

The band rehearses on Tuesday evenings for an hour and a quarter and performs each semester in concert. 

Directed by Jessica Kite

With two 14-member choirs and a 40-year tradition, Concordia has one of the most venerable handbell programs in the Midwest.  

Both choirs—a beginning and an advanced group—are auditioned ensembles. Previous experience is not required for the beginning ensemble, but the ability to read music is necessary. Auditions are held at the start of the fall semester; new members are also accepted for the spring semester if there are openings. 

The advanced group, the Concordia Handbell Choir, performs regular concerts and at chapel and church services, workshops and the annual Christmas at Concordia extravaganza. It has also performed on NET, Nebraska’s public radio network, and for the Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the state capitol.

The handbell choirs perform with a combination of Schulmerich and Malmark handbells and handchimes ranging from G1 to C9. They also utilize two octaves of Schulmerich Silver Melody Bells and Malmark CymBells. The use of silver, bronze and aluminum instruments allows the ensembles to play a full range of advanced repertoire featuring a variety of bell timbres and techniques. 

The handbell choirs each rehearse on Monday and Thursday evenings for an hour. 

Directed by Robert Cody

The University Jazz Band performs concerts and at other events on campus and in the community. Auditions are held at the start of the fall semester; new members are also accepted for the spring semester if there are openings. The band rehearses two hours per week.