Sophomore David Eatherton was drawn to Concordia’s “clear Lutheran identity”

David Eatherton is a sophomore from St. Louis, Missouri, studying music education at Concordia University, Nebraska. He is involved in several musical ensembles on campus, including Wind Symphony, A Cappella, Chamber Choir/Vocal Jazz, Low Brass Ensemble and Pep Band.

Eatherton chose to study at Concordia for a few different reasons. First, the clear Lutheran identity. He said, “Christianity is not just something that Concordia puts on its brochures and that professors mention in their syllabi, but it is something that you can see in the people you interact with every day. At Concordia, I can count on seeing the same people in chapel every day and then seeing many of them in churches around Seward County on Sunday.”

He said that both chapel and evening prayer at Concordia have had a “big effect” on his faith. “It is a great blessing to worship and receive the word of God every day, and it is an even bigger blessing to be able to do it with your friends.”

Second, Eatherton was drawn to the high-quality music program in addition to the Lutheran education program. He notes that Concordia’s music program is different because they don’t just make music for the sake of making music. “We make music for the glory of God,” he said. Much of the material that Concordia’s music ensembles perform is rooted in hymnody. In addition to this, Concordia teaches its education students to teach the faith in everything they do, including music.

Eatherton says that the professors have “helped me discover my purpose by reminding me that our purpose is to serve Christ in everything we do.” He noted that his professors made it clear from the beginning that they were there to help students learn, and not just present information. He specifically stated that professor of music Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo, his academic advisor, was always willing to answer his questions and talk about a variety of different academic options.

Eatherton also indicated his strong belief that his experience at Concordia will prepare him for his current and future jobs. This summer, Eatherton is working at a summer camp at a local grade school, which has been challenging for him because he doesn't have a log of experience working with kids more than a few years younger than him. However, his education classes at Concordia prepared him for some of the things he has encountered. He also said that the job is allowing him to learn more through different experiences, especially in classroom management.

“Christianity is not just something that Concordia puts on its brochures and that professors mention in their syllabi, but it is something that you can see in the people you interact with every day.”

His second summer job is being a substitute organist, and he stated that his organ lessons, theory classes, and wide range of musical experiences at Concordia were very helpful in preparing him for this position. He commented, “As I’ve said before, Concordia’s music and education programs are excellent. At Concordia, I’m learning to be a better musician and teacher so I can serve my future students and church.”

After graduation, Eatherton wants to be called as a high school band director at a Lutheran high school somewhere in the U.S. He also would like to play the organ at a church after a few years of teaching.

Eatherton is a third-generation Concordia student, with all four of his grandparents, both his parents, most of his aunts and uncles, several of his cousins and two of his sisters graduating from Concordia. His parents met at Concordia and were married after their graduation in 1996. Since then, they’ve served at several churches in four different states. His dad is an organist, and both his parents have taught music and other subjects throughout their careers. Eatherton has four sisters – three older and one younger. The oldest, Hannah and Rebekah, are both married and served as Lutheran teachers following their graduation. However, they are both becoming full-time moms starting this school year. Ruth is entering her senior year at Concordia University Chicago, studying Lutheran elementary and middle level education. His younger sister, Sarah, is going into her sophomore year of high school.

When asked about his favorite part about the Concordia experience so far, Eatherton responded that it was the community. He said that it did not take much time to form friendships with the people in his class, and he continued meeting new people even into the last weeks of school. He added that the uppperclassmen were very welcoming and a large part of making Concordia feel like home.

The music education program at Concordia is intended for those who wish to teach vocal and instrumental music, or vocal music only, in public or private schools. It includes skill development in the common core of musicianship as well as studies in music education that will allow you to apply educational principles to your everyday work in the classroom. Two tracks are available: comprehensive (instrumental and vocal) music education and vocal music education. Learn more about Concordia’s music education program here.

​​​​​