Joyful donors support University A Cappella Choir, music department with special gifts

Founded in 1938, the audition-based Concordia University, Nebraska  A Cappella Choir has a far-reaching legacy of memorable performances. One of America’s oldest touring Lutheran college choirs, the University A Cappella Choir has performed concerts and joined congregations in worship throughout the United States (including Hawaii) and internationally in Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Spain, Mexico, South Africa and Australia.  

This summer, the choir will travel to Ireland to share the love of Jesus with others through music. 

A Cappella members are selected by audition at the start of the fall semester. The choir rehearses five hours per week with additional sectional rehearsals and usually has about 70 members. 

Directing this talented group of choristers is a joy and an honor said Concordia Nebraska Music Department Chair and A Cappella Director Dr. Kurt von Kampen. He is mindful, however, that high-impact experiences come with very real costs. From performance attire to music costs to travel expenses to rehearsal space, the costs for the choir are great, but the benefits are many, he said. 

Thankfully, many joyful donors have stepped forward to support and university and the choir with their gifts. 

“The A Cappella Choir is a costly enterprise, and the support we receive from donors helps us to fully fund the unique aspects of a touring concert choir,” said von Kampen. “Recent gifts from our generous donors have gone to directly to things like new performance attire, Steinway pianos for the A Cappella rehearsal studio, sheet music and travel costs that go above the normal touring budget. Some of these gifts have gone into an endowment fund, specifically for the A Cappella Choir, which will help meet the needs of the choir long into the future without impacting the regular budget.” 

“There is a small but growing set of operating endowments and direct gifts creating a margin for excellence for Concordia programs, including music. These gifts ensure the long-term health and success of the programs they support. They also allow students and faculty to participate in special, high-impact experiences.”

Many supporters of Concordia Nebraska’s music program and the A Cappella choir wish to remain publicly anonymous, but their gifts have a dramatic impact. Special giftssupporting the choir and music department include: 

• A Cappella Choir Operating Endowment: This recently-established endowment will support the operations and expenses of the group, underwriting activities similar to their recent performance of Brahm’s Requiem with the Wichita Grand Opera. These funds are earmarked to support von Kampen’s work with the choir, financing music, instruments, technologies and other needs. “The benefactors see the choir as a powerful spiritual experience for students and everyone they encounter. They believe A Cappella has the potential to attract and prepare exceptional future Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod music educators,” explained Senior Director of Development and Engagement Scott Seevers. 

• Vocal Music Endowment: This special estate gift, not yet realized, will one day support vocal music operations at the university, providing helpful funding for A Cappella Choirtravel expenses for both national and international tours. 

• Music Operations Endowment: Another family is funding an endowment now, with a commitment to increase its impact through an estate gift in the future. The endowment will provide important resources for music ensembles’ special events, concerts and tours.  

• Gift for immediate needs: An inspired couple, after witnessing first-hand the impact of an A Cappella concert on both the audience and choir members, provided a one-time gift to fund long-needed attire for choir members. While it’s something most people don’t think about, the gift supports one of many ongoing needs of a busy touring choir. 

“These recent gifts are varied in structure, but they are incredibly generous, all focused on supporting vocal music in some way,” said Seevers. “People who really like the idea of supporting the operations of any program can make an impact today or contribute to an endowment that extends the impact over decades.” 

“75 percent of Concordia Nebraska’s endowments are dedicated to scholarships, mostly church work and academic scholarships,” explained Seevers. “There is a small but growing set of operating endowments and direct gifts creating a margin for excellence for Concordia programs, including music. These gifts ensure the long-term health and success of the programs they support. They also allow students and faculty to participate in special, high-impact experiences.”  

This March, we invite you to join us for Seeds of Generosity, a month-long celebration of giving and impact at Concordia University, Nebraska. Together, we’re sowing seeds of faith, learning and service that will grow for generations to come. Every gift—whether large or small—helps sustain our mission to provide Christ-centered education, support our students and prepare servant leaders for the church and the world.