GW
Grace Woelmer
  • Elementary Education with an edorsement in Vocal Music
  • Class of 2017
  • Allen, Texas

Grace Woelmer participates in Christmas at Concordia

2014 Dec 9

Concordia University, Nebraska celebrated the Christmas season with its annual Christmas at Concordia concerts Dec. 5-7 at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. Christmas at Concordia weekend also included the 20th annual Scholarship Parade of Homes and a community reception.

Students participating in the concerts include:

Grace Woelmer, a freshman from Allen, Texas, Soprano II in Women's Chorale

"The concerts have been a cherished tradition for decades," said Concordia Director of University and Alumni Relations Adam Hengeveld. "People travel from all over the country to attend the concerts, and the Scholarship Parade of Homes and community reception gave our guests and the local community additional ways to enjoy Christmas at Concordia weekend."

The concerts featured the University A Cappella Choir, University Symphonic Band, Male Chorus, Handbell Choir, Women's Chorale and University Brass Ensemble. The groups performed traditional hymns of the season and requested audience participation throughout the concerts. Scripture readings and original music from Concordia students and faculty were also part of the celebration.

The annual Scholarship Parade of Homes celebrated its 20th anniversary of raising scholarship dollars for high school seniors in Seward County who will attend Concordia University, Nebraska in Seward or Southeast Community College in Milford. The homes of five families were featured on this year's parade: Randy and Jill Baack, Bob and Ann Briggs, Jon and Krista Burhoop, Bonnie Etzold, and Todd and Mindy LaVelle.

Concordia hosted the first annual community Christmas reception on Dec. 7 in the conference room of the Janzow Campus Center. The reception included holiday-inspired refreshments, Christmas music, including a live piano performance from Concordia Professor Pete Prochnow, and comments from Concordia President Brian Friedrich and Jones National Bank & Trust Co. President Max Wake. Christmas at Concordia weekend events were made possible through the generous support of Jones National Bank & Trust Co.

The reception also included what Concordia hopes to be a traditional Christmas tree lighting near the university's new outdoor plaza just north of Janzow Campus Center. The lighting of the 25-foot spruce tree was sponsored by the Seward associates of Thrivent Financial. Community members are invited to visit the Christmas tree and plaza at any time.