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