Concordia Nebraska’s Vocal Jazz ensemble to embark on Spring 2025 tour

From May 11-19, Concordia Nebraska’s Vocal Jazz choir will travel to Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Missouri as part of their spring 2025 tour. Throughout its nearly two-decade history, the choir has traveled extensively across the United States.  

The Vocal Jazz ensemble was formed in the fall of 2006 and has earned a reputation of excellence in the performance of jazz and pop-influenced choral music. The choir has performed throughout the Midwest at locations including the Sheldon Performing Arts Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the Nebraska Music Education Association’s annual fall conference, along with on-campus performances each semester. 

Students in the Vocal Jazz choir are representative of a diverse cross section of academic disciplines from within the university. They are chosen by audition, and all are members of the University A Cappella Choir, an internationally acclaimed touring 72-voice concert choir. 

The choir is under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen, who also serves as the conductor of the university’s A Cappella Choir. Von Kampen earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Concordia University, Nebraska, a master’s degree in choral conducting from Oakland University and a doctorate in choral music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.  

Professor of Music and renowned pianist Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo will perform with the choir. She holds a degree in music education from Concordia University Chicago and two graduate degrees in piano performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Admission to concerts is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray travel costs of the choir. 

Tour Itinerary:  

Sunday, May 11 

Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kan.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Monday, May 12 

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Mountain Home, Ark.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Tuesday, May 13 

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tenn.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Wednesday, May 14 

Living Faith Lutheran Church, Cumming, Ga.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Thursday, May 15 

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Cullman, Ala.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Friday, May 16 

Grace Lutheran Church, Pensacola, Fla.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Saturday, May 17 

Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, La.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Monday, May 19

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Mo.  

Concert 7 p.m. 

Members of the Vocal Jazz choir include:  

David Eatherton, freshman, St. Louis, Mo., Tenor 

Lydia Edmonds, freshman, Gretna, Neb., Alto 

Michaela Gibbs, freshman, Virginia Beach, Va., Soprano 

Kirsten Horne, senior, Seward, Neb., Soprano 

Joshua Jurchen, junior, Seward, Neb., Bass 

Ellie Lehr, junior, Omaha, Neb., Alto 

Evan Moloney, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind., Bass 

Melissa Oblinger, freshman, Tomball, Tex., Alto 

Tara Pester, sophomore, Seward, Neb., Alto 

Grant Rohde, junior, Reed City, Mich., Bass 

Morgan Rohde, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind., Alto 

Joel Smith, junior, Earlham, Iowa, Bass 

Logan Walgate, senior, St. Charles, Mo., Tenor 

Micah Zeckzer, freshman, New Haven, Ind., Tenor 

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.