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