A Cappella concert adds international flavor
Concordia’s A Cappella Choir wrapped up its spring tour with a home performance at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward on Sunday, March 25.
“We sang in six different languages including English, Spanish, German, Russian, Zulu, and Latin,” said conductor Dr. Kurt von Kampen.
The concert featured a traditional Russian piece, “Svete tihiy” (Gladsome Light) by Alexandre Gretchaninoff, that is still sung today as part of the vespers service and an original arrangement of “Beautiful Savior” by Concordia professor Jeffrey Blersch, commissioned by Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Wichita, Kan.
In addition, two pieces were led by student conductors, Nick Lee and Michael Palomaki. Palomaki’s piece, “hope, faith, life, love,” was written by contemporary composer Eric Whitacre. Von Kampen explains this is an especially rich piece of music. “It is sung unaccompanied in eight parts and includes lush, harmonic moments as well as some striking dissonance,” said von Kampen.
Lee’s piece is the South African freedom song, “Tshotsholoza.” The song, performed by the men of A Cappella choir, includes driving rhythms and African percussion instruments.
