Concordia Nebraska's Vocal Jazz ensemble to embark on Spring 2025 tour

by Hope Nelson

Seward, NE (04/16/2025) — From May 11-18, Concordia Nebraska's Vocal Jazz choir will travel to Kansas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana and Missouri as part of their spring 2025 tour. Throughout its nearly two-decade history, the choir has traveled extensively across the United States.

The Vocal Jazz ensemble was formed in the fall of 2006 and has earned a reputation of excellence in the performance of jazz and pop-influenced choral music. The choir has performed throughout the Midwest at locations including the Sheldon Performing Arts Centerin St. Louis, Missouri, and the Nebraska Music Education Association's annual fall conference, along with on-campus performances each semester.

Students in the Vocal Jazz choir are representative of a diverse cross section of academic disciplines from within the university. They are chosen by audition, and all are members of the University A Cappella Choir, an internationally acclaimed touring 72-voice concert choir.

The choir is under the direction of Dr. Kurt von Kampen, who also serves as the conductor of the university's A Cappella Choir. 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-Lincoln.

Professor of Music and renowned pianist Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo will perform with the choir. She holds a degree in music education from Concordia University Chicago and two graduate degrees in piano performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Admission to concerts is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray travel costs of the choir.

Tour Itinerary:

Sunday, May 11

Ascension Lutheran Church, Wichita, Kan.

Concert 7 p.m.

Monday, May 12

Redeemer Lutheran Church, Mountain Home, Ark.

Concert 7 p.m.

Tuesday, May 13

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Memphis, Tenn.

Concert 7 p.m.

Wednesday, May 14

Living Faith Lutheran Church, Cumming, Ga.

Concert 7 p.m.

Thursday, May 15

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Cullman, Ala.

Concert 7 p.m.

Friday, May 16

Grace Lutheran Church, Pensacola, Fla.

Concert 7 p.m.

Saturday, May 17

Trinity Lutheran Church, Baton Rouge, La.

Concert 7 p.m.

Sunday, May 18

Immanuel Lutheran Church, Washington, Mo.

Concert 7 p.m.

Members of the Vocal Jazz choir include:

David Eatherton, freshman, St. Louis, Mo., Tenor

Lydia Edmonds, freshman, Gretna, Neb., Alto

Michaela Gibbs, freshman, Virginia Beach, Va., Soprano

Kirsten Horne, senior, Seward, Neb., Soprano

Joshua Jurchen, junior, Seward, Neb., Bass

Ellie Lehr, junior, Omaha, Neb., Alto

Evan Moloney, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind., Bass

Melissa Oblinger, freshman, Tomball, Tex., Alto

Tara Pester, sophomore, Seward, Neb., Alto

Grant Rohde, junior, Reed City, Mich., Bass

Morgan Rohde, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Ind., Alto

Joel Smith, junior, Earlham, Iowa, Bass

Logan Walgate, senior, St. Charles, Mo., Tenor

Micah Zeckzer, freshman, New Haven, Ind., Tenor

About Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia University, Nebraska, founded in 1894, is a fully accredited, coeducational university of The Lutheran Church--Missouri Synod located in Seward, Nebraska, which currently serves more than 1,700 students. Concordia offers more than 100 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs in an excellent academic and Christ-centered community that equips men and women for lives of learning, service and leadership in the church and world. For more information, visit cune.edu.

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