Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund awards grant for learning experience trip for church music students

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund recently awarded Professor of Music Dr. Joseph Herl $750 to defray travel costs to the annual Vi Messerli Memorial Lectures in Church Music event at Concordia University Chicago for church music students. The event will take place October 18-20, 2026. 

Herl explained that the sessions and networking opportunities available at this event will give students opportunities and experiences that they can take into their future careers. 

“Besides attending workshops and other events, our students will also be able to mingle with some outstanding church musicians and with church music students from other universities.”

“This two-day event over fall break features presenters and clinicians from all over the country,” said Herl. “Besides attending workshops and other events, our students will also be able to mingle with some outstanding church musicians and with church music students from other universities.” 

 Concordia University, Nebraska’s Academic Excellence and Innovation Fund was created in 2024 to encourage and celebrate faculty and student scholarship, placing particular focus on the intersection of faith and specific disciplines as well as critical issues in the family, church and world. The grants provide funds to support scholarship, providing resources to guide scholarly efforts. The fund was developed as part of the university’s SALT and LIGHT strategic plan.