MK
Mason Koeritz
  • Class of 2018
  • Northrop, Minn.

Mason Koeritz and Concordia University's A Cappella Choir to perform throughout South Africa

2017 Apr 27

Mason Koeritz of Northrop, Minn. and the University A Cappella Choir from Concordia University, Nebraska, will travel to South Africa for its international tour May 7-27, 2017. The 74 voice choir was auditioned to get the number of students to 44, which is the optimum number to travel with internationally.

"This place has been on our hearts and minds for more than two years," said Dr. Kurt von Kampen, conductor. "We don't know what God has in store for us but we are prepared to serve Him through our singing and interactions with the people of South Africa. We know that will be blessed as much as those who come to hear us perform."

The internationally acclaimed choir will perform concerts at churches and schools in eight cities on their 20-day tour. Concert sites include Atlanta, Georgia, Johannesburg, Middelburg, Kruger, Swaziland, St. Lucia, Durban, Lesotho and Pretoria.

During their travels, the choir will get to experience a safari and tour the city of Durban, as well as visit the Nelson Mandela museum. They will also get to perform with a Swazi Tribal Choir and visit Krueger National Park.

The choir performs full-length concerts, high school assemblies and church worship services. The repertoire of sacred and secular choral compositions spans all historical periods and is representative of many cultures. This year's concert features the works of Paul Manz, Johann Sebastian Bach, Franics Poulenc, Austin Theriot, Robert Shaw and Alice Parker, among others.

The A Cappella Choir has toured the U.S. each year and internationally approximately every four years since its inception in 1939, performing throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia and Mexico. It also has participated in international choral festivals in Australia and Austria, placing first and third respectively while under the direction of Dr. von Kampen.

Von Kampen earned 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.