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