Concordia University A Cappella Choir tours Europe

Concordia University, Nebraska’s premier vocal ensemble, the University A Cappella Choir toured Europe, performed in Switzerland, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Lithuania and Latvia. The 24-day tour began May 11 and concluded June 3.
Forty singers, under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen, performed in 13 cities including Morges, Switzerland; Frankfurt, Kronach and Leipzig, Germany; Prague, Cesky Tesin and Ostrava, Czech Republic; Zilina, Slovakia; Cieszyn, Chorzow and Jelenia Góra, Poland; Vilnius Lithuania; and Riga, Latvia.
The choir toured Spain in 2009, and von Kampen said the ensemble was eager to travel again.
“Now we begin the journey,” he said prior to the tour. “The students and I are excited to see what kind of opportunities await us - opportunities to sing great music in wonderful cathedrals, to witness to the love of Christ in song and to bond together in His love. Pray for Concordia’s A Cappella Choir as we carry on the 75-year tradition of bringing the Gospel message in song to the world.”
Visit www.cune.edu/arts/music/a-cappella/ for the full European tour itinerary.
Concordia A Cappella Choir has been performing concerts and joining congregations in worship for 74 years. More than 180 students audition each fall for one of 72 spots in the internationally renowned concert choir. Student membership includes majors from most academic disciplines at the university and represents more than 15 different states and foreign countries.
One of the United States’ oldest touring Lutheran college choirs, the A Cappella Choir has performed throughout the U.S. and its international tours have included Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Spain, Mexico and Australia.
The choir has been invited to perform for music conferences, choral festivals and international competitions in recent years. They received the Gold Medal for performance at the 12th annual Australian International Music Festival and earned a spot in the winners circle at the 42nd annual International Choral Competition in Spittal an der Drau in Austria. The choir has regularly performed for the Nebraska Music Education Association’s annual conference and was one of two Nebraska choirs selected to perform for the American Choral Directors Association North Central Division choral hour in March 2006.
A Cappella Choir members
Joseph Beran, Senior, Lincoln, Neb., Bass
Robert Cody, Senior, Alamosa, Colo., Tenor
Helena Dieckhoff, Freshman, Wichita, Kan., Soprano
Arianne Greco, Sophomore, Papillion, Neb., Soprano
Jonathan Jahnke, Freshman, West Fargo, N.D., Tenor
James Jensen, Senior, Denver, Colo., Tenor
Joel Kaldahl, Freshman, Spencer, Iowa, Tenor
Luke Kaldahl, Junior, Spencer, Iowa, Tenor
Jenna Karlin, Sophomore, Lincoln, Neb., Alto
Katie Keily, Senior, Norman, Ind., Soprano
Natalie Kesar, Junior, Omaha, Neb., Alto
Zachary Klatt, Sophomore, Overland Park, Kan.
Alexander Klenz, Junior, Milwaukee, Wis., Tenor
Adrienne Langewisch, Sophomore, Seward, Neb., Alto
Andrew Lehenbauer, Senior, Lake Ozark, Mo., Bass
David Lindeman, Sophomore, Arvada, Colo., Bass
Kelsey Livingston, Junior, Lone Tree, Colo., Alto
Sarah Lohmeyer, Junior, Lincoln, Neb., Alto
Julie Marquardt, Junior, Janesville, Minn., Alto
Briar McCoy, Senior, Lincoln, Neb., Bass
Jordan Miller, Sophomore, Tomball, Texas, Tenor
Stephanie Mueller, Sophomore, Wheaton, Ill., Soprano
Hilary Murray, Junior, Houston, Texas, Alto
Olivia Oetting, Junior, Seward, Neb., Soprano
J'Nae Rempfer, Senior, Blairstown, Iowa, Alto
Tabitha Richters, Freshman, Utica, Neb., Soprano
Brianna Ritter, Sophomore, Columbus, Neb., Soprano
Kassidy Rixstine, Sophomore, Seward, Neb., Soprano
Holly Saalfeld, Senior, Seward, Neb., Soprano
Benjamin Schulteis, Sophomore, Greenfield, Iowa, Bass
Michael Scheer, Junior, Lincoln, Neb., Bass
Katelyn Sievert, Senior, Frankenmuth, Mich., Alto
Megan Sparling, Freshman, Columbus, Neb., Alto
Shelby Stolze, Freshman, Norfolk, Neb., Soprano
Erika Troester, Freshman, Lincoln, Neb., Alto
Andrew Van Velson, Senior, North Platte, Neb., Bass
Andrea von Kampen, Freshman, Seward, Neb., Soprano
Joshua Weishaar, Sophomore, Salinas, Calif., Bass
Steven Whitney, Senior, Kenyon, Minn.
Luke Wohlegmuth, Sophomore, Alton, Iowa, Bass