Christmas spirit fills the air during 2014 Christmas at Concordia weekend

Concordia celebrated the Christmas season with its annual Christmas at Concordia concerts Dec. 5-7 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Christmas at Concordia weekend also included the 20th annual Scholarship Parade of Homes and a community reception.
“The concerts have been a cherished tradition for decades,” said Concordia Director of University and Alumni Relations Adam Hengeveld. “People travel from all over the country to attend the concerts, and the Scholarship Parade of Homes and community reception gave our guests and the local community additional ways to enjoy Christmas at Concordia weekend.”
The concerts featured the University A Cappella Choir, University Symphonic Band, Male Chorus, Handbell Choir, Women’s Chorale and University Brass Ensemble. The groups performed traditional hymns of the season and requested audience participation throughout the concerts. Scripture readings and original music from Concordia students and faculty were also part of the celebration.
The annual Scholarship Parade of Homes celebrated its 20th anniversary of raising scholarship dollars for high school seniors in Seward County who will attend Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward or Southeast Community College in Milford. The homes of five families were featured on this year’s parade: Randy and Jill Baack, Bob and Ann Briggs, Jon and Krista Burhoop, Bonnie Etzold, and Todd and Mindy LaVelle.
Concordia hosted the first annual community Christmas reception on Dec. 7 in the conference room of the Janzow Campus Center. The reception included holiday-inspired refreshments, Christmas music, including a live piano performance from Concordia Professor Pete Prochnow, and comments from Concordia President Brian Friedrich and Jones National Bank & Trust Co. President Max Wake. Christmas at Concordia weekend events were made possible through the generous support of Jones National Bank & Trust Co.

The reception also included what Concordia hopes to be a traditional Christmas tree lighting near the university’s new outdoor plaza just north of Janzow Campus Center. The lighting of the 25-foot spruce tree was sponsored by the Seward associates of Thrivent Financial. Community members are invited to visit the Christmas tree and plaza at any time.
Concordia students who performed in the Christmas at Concordia concerts include (alphabetical by state, city, and last name):
Alaska
Cameron Christiansen, sophomore, Palmer, Ala., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir and Male Chorus
Arkansas
Joseph Pierson, sophomore, Van Buren, Ark., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
California
Amy McDaniel, senior, Cypress, Calif., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
Anna McDaniel, senior, Cypress, Calif., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Hope Taylor, sophomore, Foothill Ranch, Calif., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Zachary Visconti, senior, Fremont, Calif., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Laura Wiederrich, junior, Lodi, Calif., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Jacob Fink, freshman, Long Beach, Calif., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Ashley Johnson, freshman, Long Beach, Calif., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Rianne Gross, senior, Riverside, Calif., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Ryan Gross, junior, Riverside, Calif., playing trumpet in Symphonic Band and bells in Handbell Choir
Abigail Connick, senior, Salida, Calif., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band and bells in Handbell Choir
Joshua Weishaar, senior, Salinas, Calif., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Sarah Weishaar, freshman, Salinas, Calif., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Lindsay Sampson, freshman, Tustin, Calif., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Colorado
T. David Lindeman, senior, Arvada, Colo., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Benjamin Leeper, sophomore, Falcon, Colo., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Allison Caudle, sophomore, Greeley, Colo., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Cassie Nagel, junior, Lafayette, Colo., playing flute in Symphonic Band
Grace Stults, freshman, Monte Vista, Colo., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Florida
Evan Root, senior, Naples, Fla., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Joseph Koenig, senior, Orlando, Fla., playing bass clarinet in Symphonic Band
Meredith Locke, freshman, Winter Haven, Fla., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Idaho
Isaiah Garza, senior, Hailey, Idaho, playing percussion in Symphonic Band
Illinois
Kali Weishaar, sophomore, Altamont, Ill., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Larissa Geyer, sophomore, Arlington Hts, Ill., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
James Peterson, senior, Carterville, Ill., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Quincy Rensner, sophomore, Effingham, Ill., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Jacob Henson, sophomore, Herrin, Ill., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Kelsey Franke, sophomore, Hoopeston, Ill., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Keith Kettner, senior, Jacob, Ill., singing bass II in Male Chorus
Joel Prince, freshman, Mascoutah, Ill., singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Lauren Sperry, freshman, Oneida, Ill., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Matthew Kortze, freshman, Rockford, Ill., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Sarah Krause, sophomore, Rockford, Ill., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Rachel Krause, junior, Rockford, Ill., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Alyssa Newton, senior, Rockford, Ill., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Carly Bueltmann, freshman, Tremont, Ill., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Leah Maag, senior, Waterloo, Ill., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale, playing flute in Symphonic Band and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Karina Keating, sophomore, Woodstock, Ill., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale and playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Indiana
Jordan Millwood, freshman, Evansville, Ind., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Jennifer Reynolds, junior, Fort Wayne, Ind., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir, playing trumpet in Symphonic Band and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Andrew Bloch, junior, Seymour, Ind., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
International
Christina Bernard, freshman, Port-Au-Prince, Haiti, singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Heather Rasch, sophomore, Jos, Nigeria, singing soprano I in Women's Choral and playing French horn in Symphonic Band
Iowa
Rachel Burger, sophomore, Adel, Iowa, singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir and playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Luke Wohlgemuth, senior, Alton, Iowa, singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Cole Wohlgemuth, freshman, Alton, Iowa, playing baritone in Symphonic Band
Chelsea Wohlgemuth, freshman, Alton, Iowa, singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Morgan Eggert, freshman, Atkins, Iowa, singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Kenzie Woltemath, junior, Atkins, Iowa, singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Courtney Upmann, senior, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, playing flute in Symphonic Band
Charity Espinosa, freshman, Clarinda, Iowa, playing baritone in Symphonic Band
Hannah Keuning, senior, Dexter, Iowa, singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Megan Barz, freshman, Dubuque, Iowa, singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Hannah Weber, senior, Manchester, Iowa, playing trombone in Symphonic Band and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Hayley Buchholz, senior, McCook, Iowa, singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Ellen Franzmeier, senior, Newell, Iowa, playing alto saxophone in Symphonic Band and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Ian Moore, senior, Newton, Iowa, singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Noel Vickery, senior, Ocheyedan, Iowa, singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Emily Jensen, junior, Sioux City, Iowa, singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Peter Klinge, senior, State Center, Iowa, singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Wesly Williams, senior, Vinton, Iowa, singing bass I in Male Chorus
Allison Luscombe, senior, West Des Moines, Iowa, singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Kansas
Caleb Wehling, sophomore, Liberal, Kan., playing percussion in Symphonic Band
Marcelino Varona, senior, Olathe, Kan., playing flute in Symphonic Band
Karen Webber, senior, Olathe, Kan., playing bassoon in Symphonic Band
Madeline Osborne, sophomore, Overland Park, Kan., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Zachary Klatt, senior, Shawnee Mission, Kan., singing tenor II in A Cappella Choir and playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Kelsey Adcock, freshman, Wamego, Kan., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Christian Schultz, senior, Wamego, Kan., singing bass I in Male Chorus and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Sloane Crawshaw, sophomore, Wichita, Kan., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Helena Dieckhoff, junior, Wichita, Kan., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Molly Goltl, freshman, Wichita, Kan., playing alto saxophone in Symphonic Band
Massachusetts
Michaela Gierke, senior, Billerica, Mass., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Tyler Hoyt, freshman, Tyngsboro, Mass., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Michigan
Carlie Mueller, sophomore, Frankenmuth, Mich., playing alto saxophone in Symphonic Band
Emily Sievert, freshman, Frankenmuth, Mich., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Benjamin Sievert, senior, Frankenmuth, Mich., playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Emily Fehn, freshman, Freeland, Mich., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Minnesota
Thomas Wyatt, senior, Bethel, Minn., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Jessica Krome, senior, Fairmont, Minn., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Mark Esser, freshman, Mayer, Minn., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Rebecca Trautman, senior, Moorhead, Minn., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Rebekah Holten, senior, Nicollet, Minn., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir and alto II in Women's Chorale
Micah Holten, freshman, Nicollet, Minn., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Mason Koeritz, junior, Northrop, Minn., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Shannon O'Brien, freshman, Winona, Minn., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Missouri
Emily Steensma, freshman, Blue Springs, Mo., playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Benjamin Hayter, sophomore, Concordia, Mo., singing tenor II in A Cappella Choir and Male Chorus
Emily Kollbaum, sophomore, Concordia, Mo., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Zachary Kollbaum, senior, Concordia, Mo., singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Tim Mehl, freshman, Concordia, Mo., singing bass II in Male Chorus
Cenedra White, senior, Fulton, Mo., playing bells in Handbell Choir
Ethan Mirly, sophomore, Jackson, Mo., singing bass II in Male Chorus
Matthew Lehenbauer, sophomore, Lake Ozark, Mo., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Karen Burgess, junior, Lee’s Summit, Mo., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Kenton Burgess, freshman, Lee's Summit, Mo., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Emma Gottschamer, freshman, Lee's Summit, Mo., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Todd Rakow, freshman, Lohman, Mo., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Abby Whitener, freshman, Manchester, Mo., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Aaron Hentges, sophomore, Oak Grove, Mo., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Logan Schoessel, freshman, Raymore, Mo., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Angela Steinbacher, junior, Saint Charles, Mo., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Andrew Crist, junior, Springfield, Mo., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Karl Rovey, senior, Springfield, Mo., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir and playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Sarah Brutlag, sophomore, St. Louis, Mo., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Claire Fuhler, freshman, St. Louis, Mo., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Kaellyn Marrs, senior, St. Louis, Mo., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Samantha Coomer, freshman, Wentzville, Mo., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Montana
Allison Ebel, freshman, Billings, Mont., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Nebraska
Barbara Leising, senior, Arapahoe, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir and playing in Handbells Choir
Mary Leising, senior, Arapahoe, Neb., playing bells in Handbell Choir
Andrea Leising, junior, Arapahoe, Neb., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Mallory Parrish, freshman, Auburn, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Daniel Heiser, senior, Aurora, Neb., playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Elizabeth Larson, junior, Aurora, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Zach Hagenson, senior, Bellevue, Neb., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir and playing tuba in Symphonic Band
McKenzie Akeson, freshman, Chappell, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Courtney Burma, senior, Columbus, Neb., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Allison Mackie, freshman, Columbus, Neb., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Brianna Rerucha, senior, Columbus, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Naomi Ristvedt, junior, Crete, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir, singing soprano II in Women's Chorale and playing flute in Symphonic Band
Joel Ristvedt, freshman, Crete, Neb., playing french horn in Symphonic Band
Stephanie Schroeder, senior, Deshler, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Christine Beune, sophomore, Dodge, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Karlene Embretson, freshman, Falls City, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Harmony Fiala, freshman, Fremont, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Hope Moural, freshman, Fremont, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Amanda Ruether, freshman, Fremont, Neb., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Erika Neugebauer, senior, Gering, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale and playing French horn in Symphonic Band
Lara Bergdolt, senior, Grand Island, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Courtney Hiegel, sophomore, Grand Island, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Lauren Staehr, junior, Grand Island, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir and Women's Chorale
Alex Coldiron, freshman, Gretna, Neb., singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Carly Rushman, freshman, Gurley, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Jonathon Carnoali, senior, Hampton, Neb., playing tenor saxophone in Symphonic Band
Michael Sanderson, freshman, Hastings, Neb., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Brooke McNiel, freshman, Holdrege, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Paul Gaschler, senior, Imperial, Neb., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Tapainga Kahle, freshman, Imperial, Neb., singing soprano I in A Cappella Choir
Tyce Clark, freshman, Kenesaw, Neb., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Michael Duffy, freshman, Kenesaw, Neb., singing bass II in Male Chorus
Tanner Bohlender, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Adam Meirose, junior, Lincoln, Neb., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Rebecca Odom, senior, Lincoln, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Braxton Parde, freshman, Lincoln, Neb., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir and Male Chorus
Clara Rich, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir and playing alto saxophone in Symphonic Band
Luke Riley, senior, Lincoln, Neb., singing bass I in A Cappella Choir
Erika Troester, junior, Lincoln, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Emma Schmeling, freshman, Louisville, Neb., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Stephanie Coley, junior, Mitchell, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
Angelica Blomenberg, sophomore, Norfolk, Neb., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale and playing oboe in Symphonic Band
Cara Colligan, freshman, Norfolk, Neb., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Paul Nelson, sophomore, Norfolk, Neb., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Shelby Stolze, junior, Norfolk, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
Cassie Boeka, sophomore, North Platte, Neb., playing trumpet in Symphonic Band
Erik Geilenkirchen, junior, North Platte, Neb., singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Ben Montgomery, junior, North Platte, Neb., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Elyssia Finch, junior, Omaha, Neb., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Alyssa Holley, freshman, Omaha, Neb., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Natalie Kesar, senior, Omaha, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
Ethan Kesar, junior, Omaha, Neb., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir and playing baritone saxophone in Symphonic Band
Tyler Miles, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Stephanie Van Blair, sophomore, Omaha, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
John Woruo, freshman, Omaha, Neb., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Laura Hedstrom, freshman, Oxford, Neb., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir
Arianne Greco, senior, Papillion, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Todd Brueckner, junior, Perryville, Mo., singing tenor II in Male Chorus and playing oboe in Symphonic Band
Beth Ahlers, junior, Pierce, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Emily Taylor, senior, Pierce, Neb., playing percussion in Symphonic Band
Rosa Gonzales, freshman, Schuyler, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Jordan Schut, junior, Scribner, Neb., playing saxophone in Symphonic Band
Cole Berry, sophomore, Seward, Neb., playing trombone in Symphonic Band
Hayli Frosheiser, freshman, Seward, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Molly Kenow, senior, Seward, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Victoria Kenow, sophomore, Seward, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Titus Kromminga, sophomore, Seward, Neb., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Adrienne Langewisch, senior, Seward, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Cameron Loges, freshman, Seward, Neb., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Brian Maxson, senior, Seward, Neb., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Ted Mehl, sophomore, Seward, Neb., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
Emmi Moll, sophomore, Seward, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Olivia Pace, senior, Seward, Neb., singing alto II in Women's Chorale
Krysten Piano, senior, Seward, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Elisha Scheiber, freshman, Seward, Neb., singing alto I in A Cappella Choir
Alexander Scheiber, senior, Seward, Neb., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Paul Soulek, Seward, NE, singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Lauren Wilcox, freshman, Seward, Neb., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Emily Hayes, freshman, Superior, Neb., singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Sarah Smith, senior, Unadilla, Neb., singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Michaela Curran, junior, Wahoo, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Jalynn Woollen, junior, Wilcox, Neb., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
New Hampshire
Sean Carpenter, senior, Hollis, N.H., singing bass I in Male Chorus
New Mexico
Talitha Elbert, junior, Albuquerque, N.M., singing soprano II in A Cappella Choir
Nathan Elbert, freshman, Albuquerque, N.M., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Christa Groeling, freshman, Albuquerque, N.M., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
New York
Alexander Goodwin, freshman, Greece, N.Y., singing tenor II in Male Chorus
North Carolina
Joel Marquardt, senior, Denver, N.C., playing percussion in Symphonic Band
Emily Theiss, junior, Raleigh, N.C., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
North Dakota
Erik Scherer, senior, Bismarck, N.D., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Caleb Worral, freshman, Fargo, N.D., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Chad Berg, sophomore, West Fargo, N.D., singing bass I in Male Chorus
Erika Borslien, sophomore, West Fargo, N.D., singing alto II in Women's Chorale and playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Jonathan Jahnke, junior, West Fargo, N.D., singing tenor II in A Cappella Choir
Nevada
Nicolas Harding, senior, Yerington, Nev., singing bass I in Male Chorus, playing baritone in Symphonic Band, and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Oklahoma
Allison Seeliger, freshman, Edmond, Okla., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Pennsylvania
Beth Holle, sophomore, Stewartstown, Pa., playing percussion in Symphonic Band
Eric Souer, sophomore, Venetia, Pa., singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir and Male Chorus
David Souer, freshman, Venetia, Pa., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
South Dakota
Jonathan Heckmann, senior, Caton, S.D., singing bass II in A Cappella Choir
Cassandra Engbrecht, sophomore, Marion, S.D., singing alto I in Women's Chorale
Devon Thompson, freshman, Sioux Falls, S.D., singing tenor I in Male Chorus
Texas
Grace Woelmer, freshman, Allen, Texas, singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Mikayla Eifert, freshman, Houston, Texas, playing trombone in Symphonic Band
Taylor Rankel, freshman, Spring, Texas, singing soprano I in Women's Chorale
Beth Frerking, sophomore, Tomball, Texas, singing soprano II in Women's Chorale
Jordan Miller, senior, Tomball, Texas, singing tenor I in A Cappella Choir
Washington
Rachel Dahlke, senior, Everett, Wash., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band and playing bells in Handbell Choir
Wisconsin
Rachel Bohnhoff, senior, Plymouth, Wis., playing clarinet in Symphonic Band
Sarah Aumann, freshman, Racine, Wis., singing alto II in A Cappella Choir