Area fourth-graders honor Concordia A Cappella Choir with tree planting

Concordia partnered with area fourth-graders to plant a tree April 24 in honor of the University A Cappella Choir’s 75th anniversary and Arbor Day. Concordia also received the “Friend of Tree” award from the Seward Tree Board for its on-campus arboretum.

The planting was the result of efforts by Concordia, the General Federation of Women’s Clubs, the Seward Arts Council and local fourth grade classes. Students plant a tree each year in observance of Arbor Day, which fell on April 25.

Nearly 250 people were invited to attend the ceremony, including Nebraska Sen. Greg Adams, Seward Mayor Josh Eickmeier, Seward City Administrator Brett Baker, the Seward Tree Board, Director of the University A Cappella Choir Dr. Kurt von Kampen, choir members and Concordia Nebraska President Rev. Dr. Brian Friedrich.

“The program involved St. John’s fourth-graders sharing all that trees do for us and that a tree was once used for Christ’s crucifixion, a sacrifice for our forgiveness of sins,” Adam Hengeveld, director of alumni and university relations at Concordia, said. “Seward Elementary’s presentation shared with us about the man J. Sterling Morton and how he helped create Arbor Day and brought trees to Nebraska.”

Rumery Lawn & Landscape, LLC, of Seward served as a business partner for the planting. The University A Cappella Choir performed a song, and then a group of choir members, fourth grade students and other attendees went out to plant the tree near the Music Building on the Concordia campus.