Concordia University Vocal Jazz to perform at GPLEC banquet

Concordia University, Nebraska’s Vocal Jazz Choir has planned a full fall performance season traveling and performing across Nebraska. The season includes a performance at the Great Plains Lutheran Educators Conference (GPLEC) Banquet on October 18. The banquet is at 6 p.m. in the Seward County Ag Pavilion in Seward, Nebraska, not far from the Concordia University, Nebraska campus.   

“Singing for the Great Plains Lutheran Educators Conference is a great gig for the choir,” said Dr. Kurt von Kampen, music department chair and director of the Vocal Jazz Choir. “Everyone that attends is in such a good mood and they are really ready for the type of music we perform. It’s entertaining, nostalgic and fun.” 

GPLEC is a professional development event designed for pre-K through 12th grade Lutheran school colleagues from the select Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LCMS) districts.  This year’s conference is the second triennial meeting of GPLEC. 

The conference aims to bring Christian mission-fit professional development opportunities to Concordia Nebraska’s Lutheran school colleagues while simultaneously providing an opportunity for collaboration among teachers across district lines. “The idea for a regional Lutheran School conference in the Great Plains, with a schedule that accommodated pre-school through high school calendars, was born on a napkin about eight years ago,” said event organizer and Concordia Director of Dual Credit Dr. Beth Pester. “The way this opportunity for Concordia to collaborate with our Lutheran school partners has grown is the work of our amazing God through His people – He's got this and we can’t wait to have everyone here!” 

The event will include keynote speeches by Concordia Nebraska President Dr. Bernard Bull,  Director of Secondary Education Dr. David Rindt,  and Director of Counseling Kathy L’Heureux. The conference will also feature exhibitor booths, worship and fellowship opportunities. 

“Singing for the Great Plains Lutheran Educators Conference is a great gig for the choir. Everyone that attends is in such a good mood and they are really ready for the type of music we perform. It’s entertaining, nostalgic and fun.”

Over 625 Lutheran school colleagues are expected to attend. This includes teachers, administrators, directors, paras, coaches, counselors, and admissions and development directors.  

The choir was invited to perform at the first GPLEC conference three years ago. The attendees loved the experience, and so did Pester, who invited them to sing again at the upcoming banquet.  

The Vocal Jazz Choir was formed in the fall 2006 and has earned a reputation of excellence in jazz and pop-style choral music. The choir has performed throughout the United States along with local and on-campus performances each semester.  

Students in the Vocal Jazz Choir represent a variety of academic studies across the university. Members are chosen by audition and are all members of the internationally-acclaimed University A Cappella Choir.  

The Vocal Jazz Choir is under the direction of von Kampen, who also serves as the director of the A Cappella Choir. Von Kampen has 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.  

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

The performance will feature pieces such as Stacey Gibbs’ arrangement of the spiritual “Standin’ in the Need of Prayer” and David von Kampen’s brand-new arrangement of the John Lennon and Paul McCartney hit “Penny Lane.” 

Students in the University Vocal Jazz Choir include: 

Sean Duffy, senior, Kenesaw, Nebraska, Bass 

David Eatherton, junior, St. Louis, Missouri, Tenor 

Lydia Edmonds, junior, Gretna, Nebraska, Soprano 

Lydia Fink, junior, Olathe, Kansas, Soprano 

Michaela Gibbs, junior, Belleville, Illinois, Soprano 

Melissa Oblinger, junior, Tomball, Texas, Alto 

Timothy Pester, sophomore, Seward, Nebraska, Bass 

Jacob Speckhard, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tenor 

Johanna Speckhard, sophomore, Munster, Indiana, Alto 

Samantha Vogel, sophomore, Sussex, Wisconsin, Alto 

Naomi Weber, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alto 

Yeabsira Yidnekachew, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bass 

Micah Zeckzer, junior, New Haven, Indiana, 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.