Students debut works at Fall 2021 Composers Recital

Concordia University, Nebraska held its Fall Composers Recital on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward.

Included in the program were premiere performances of pieces written by seven Concordia student composers, comprising a variety of music written for vocals, piano, winds, strings and drums.

“It was an excellent opportunity for our student composers to showcase their talents,” Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, professor of music, said. “It is rare to see that number of premiere performances in one recital, and we were excited for our students to share their talents with the community.”

Watch the performance, recorded by St. John Lutheran Church

The music is listed by program order, with the composer first, followed by the performers:

“I. Adagio” from Sonata in C Major

Composed and performed by Calvin Rohde, sophomore, Reed City, Mich.

“Joy in Affliction (Psalm 27)

Composed by Thomas Schulteis, sophomore, Parker, Colo.

Katie Benkendorf, junior, Uniontown, Mo., soprano

Kathryn Castens, junior, New Haven, Ind., soprano

Renata Peperkorn, junior, Rocklin, Calif., soprano

Nathan Pennington, junior, Lincoln, Neb., baritone

Benjamin Brenckle, sophomore, Kewaskum, Wis., baritone

Calvin Rohde, baritone

“Psalm 150”

Composed by Katie Benkendorf

Jill Bultemeier, junior, Texarkana, Texas, soprano

Renata Peperkorn, piano

Rebekah Eatherton, senior, Sheboygan, Wis., flute

“Kyrie”

Composed by Gillian Mettenbrink, junior, Seward, Neb.

Conducted by Bethany Zeckzer, senior, New Haven, Ind.

Hannah Eatherton, senior, Sheboygan, Wis., soprano

Rebekah Eatherton, soprano

Hannah Cmeyla, junior, Bay City, Mich., alto

Jacee Pfeifer, senior, Holdrege, Neb., alto

Isaac Weander, junior, Norfolk, Neb., tenor

Caleb Zeckzer, sophomore, New Haven, Ind., tenor

Calvin Rohde, bass

Nathan Pennington, bass

“The Second Coming”

Composed by Nathan Pennington

Rachel Fisher, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb. soprano and solo

Bethany Zeckzer, alto

Trent Bruntz, senior, Hastings, Neb., tenor

James Gramzow, senior, Royal Oak, Mich., baritone

Nathan Pennington, piano

“This Family”

Composed by Garret Drews, senior, Fremont, Neb.

Garret Drews, tenor

Bethany Zeckzer, piano

Rosie Grothaus, senior, Lincoln, Neb., cello

“A Melody for Friends: For the boys”

Composed by Bethany Zeckzer

Bethany Zeckzer, alto saxophone

Isaac Weander, alto saxophone

Daniel Oberdieck, sophomore, Elizabeth, Ind., baritone

Ben Toenjes, junior, Bakersfield, Calif., tuba