Concordia Honor Choir Day brings over 100 high school musicians to campus

On Friday, November 7, Concordia University, Nebraska’s music department hosted their annual National Honor Choir. The event takes place every year on the first weekend of November. The day consistently brings over 100 high school musicians to Concordia’s campus. 

Music department chair and honor choir director Dr. Kurt von Kampen said, “For 27 years, Concordia has hosted a National Honor Choir event on campus. Many of the current students participating in choirs at Concordia were members of this ensemble when they were in high school. The Honor Choir Day is one of the most important days of the year for recruitment of new singers. It is a chance for talented students from around the country to gather and make beautiful music that honors God and teaches about the certain hope of salvation through faith in Christ.” 

“The Honor Choir Day is one of the most important days of the year for recruitment of new singers. It is a chance for talented students from around the country to gather and make beautiful music that honors God and teaches about the certain hope of salvation through faith in Christ.” 

This year, a choir of 145 students was chosen from a pool of 300 student auditions. Fourteen states were represented throughout the choir, including Michigan, Missouri, Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, Indiana, South Dakota, Maryland, Arizona, Iowa, Mississippi, Illinois, Colorado and Florida. 

The students arrived on campus Thursday night and stayed with members of the A Cappella Choir, Cantamus and Male Chorus. Friday consisted of morning rehearsal, lunch, afternoon sectionals and rehearsal, and a dress rehearsal at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, before a joint concert with the A Cappella Choir at 4:30 p.m. in St. John. Members of the Chamber Choir sang with the Honor Choir as section leaders throughout the day. 

The Honor Choir learned four pieces which they sang on their own. A Cappella performed a set of three pieces, and then the two choirs combined for one piece to close the concert. Around 400 people attended the concert. 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.