Chamber orchestra performs

Concordia’s newest musical ensemble, the Chamber Orchestra, took the stage Thursday, March 8, for its third full concert of the season.

Conducted by Dr. Christopher Nichols, the orchestra performed pieces from three different periods in musical history. The first piece in the orchestra’s repertoire was “Overture to Coriolanus” by Ludwig van Beethoven. This programmatic work depicts the plot of Heinrich Joseph von Collin’s Coriolanus, a story resulting in the title character’s demise.

The orchestra also presented “Symphony in F major” by Carl Philip Emanuel Bach, son of composer Johann Sebastian Bach. “Symphony” illustrates the transition between the baroque and classical periods of music.

Finally, the ensemble played Antonín Dvořák’s “Czech Suite,” an arrangement in five movements. This piece includes the musical styles of traditional Czech dances and also depicts the flowing rivers and hilly landscape of Bohemia.

According to Nichols, the Chamber Orchestra’s first year is going well. The orchestra has grown, adding three members from surrounding communities. It has performed during services at Christ Lutheran Church in Lincoln and will participate in a joint concert with Concordia Schools of Omaha in April.

“We’re very excited about this concert and the joint concert in April!” Nichols said.

Orchestra members:

Emily Brandt, Junior, Loveland, Colo.

Byron Dow, Senior, Arlington, Texas

Julia Gremmer, Senior, New Braunfels, Texas

Joel Heckmann, Junior, Canton, S.D.

Jonathan Heckmann, Freshman, Canton, S.D.

Kelly Jacob, Sophomore, Winnebago, Neb.

Erin Kelley, Sophomore, Danbury, Neb.

Natalie Kesar, Sophomore, Omaha, Neb.

Sarah Langness, Sophomore, Larned, Kan.

Sarah Mahnken, Senior, Schleswig, Iowa

Stephanie Mueller, Senior, Wheaton, Ill.

Erik Scherer, Sophomore, Bismarck, N.D.

Andrew Schwartz, Junior, Greeley, Colo.

Katelyn Sievert, Junior, Frankenmuth, Mich.

Justin Tayon, Junior, Belleville, Ill.