Concordia University, Nebraska

Concordia Nebraska Wind Symphony prepares to embark on Spring 2026 tour

Seward, NE (03/12/2026) — Concordia University, Nebraska's premier instrumental ensemble, the University Wind Symphony, will tour through Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri on their upcoming 2026 tour April 8-12.

The group tours every year, both locally and nationally. This year's tour will take them to congregations in Bloomington, Minnesota; Grafton, Wisconsin; Davenport, Iowa; and St. Charles, Missouri.

The University Wind Symphony regularly performs full-length concerts, as well as participating in school assemblies and worship services. They perform a wide range of repertoire, including hymn tune settings, marches and original wind band[Co1] literature.

The theme of this year's tour is "Stable and Steadfast - Hymns of Faith." The concert will feature hymns of faith that remind audiences of the firm foundation granted through faith in Christ. Some of these hymns include Built on the Rock, How Firm a Foundation and a Mighty Fortress. In addition, the ensemble will perform a newly-commissioned piece based on the hymn tune "Seward," written by former Concordia music professor Ted Beck. [Co2]

The ensemble is under the direction of Assistant Professor of Music Robert Cody '14. Cody has a bachelor of music degree from Concordia University, Nebraska, a master's degree in music education with a conducting emphasis from Colorado State University and is pursuing a doctorate in instrumental conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Admission to the concerts is free. A free-will donation will be taken at the intermission to assist with tour costs.

Itinerary

Wednesday, April 8

St. Michael's Lutheran Church, Bloomington, Minnesota

Concert 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 9

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Grafton, Wisconsin

Concert 6:30 p.m.

Friday, April 10

Trinity Lutheran Church, Davenport, Iowa

Concert 7 p.m.

Saturday, April 11

Zion Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri

Worship 5 p.m.

Concert 7 p.m.

Sunday, April 12

Zion Lutheran Church, St. Charles, Missouri

Worship 8 a.m.

Worship 10:30 a.m.

Students involved in the Wind Symphony include:

Flute

Faith Brackney, Allen, Texas

Karalynn Pingel, Janesville, Wisconsin

Evelyn Schwartz, Peachtree City, Georgia

Lana Tillman, Battle Creek, Nebraska

Danielle Turner, Derby, Kansas

Hailey Winkelman, Mayer, Minnesota

Oboe

Sarah Stepp, Lincoln, Nebraska

Bassoon

Naomi Weber, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Clarinet

Bailey Bianco, Loveland, Colorado

Arabella Blakeley, Havana, Illinois

Hannah Ethridge, Fulda, Minnesota

Sydney Rohwer, Kearney, Nebraska

Claire VanTol, Unionville, Michigan

Bass Clarinet

Walter Seipold, Hastings, Iowa

Alto Saxophone

Autumn Consier, Churdan, Iowa

Grace Donnelly, Three Forks, Montana

Nathan Sollberger, Louisville, Nebraska

Tenor Saxophone

Jonah Carter, McKinney, Texas

Baritone Saxophone

Taylor Rogers, Plainville, Kansas

Trumpet

Caleb Anderson, Affton, Missouri

Taylor Beal, Frisco, Texas

Emily Castens, New Haven, Indiana

Matthew Feusse, Saginaw, Michigan

Matthew Hoops, Utica, Nebraska

Ellen Klintworth, Seward, Nebraska

Abbey Kudrna, Omaha, Nebraska

Mitchell Stephens, Brenham, Texas

Horn

Mary Bennet, Vernon Center, Minnesota

Kylie Burken, Holdrege, Nebraska

Nathan Feusse, Saginaw, Michigan

Elizabeth Salo, West Ely, Missouri

Creighton Urban, Callender, Iowa

Trombone

Maxwell Carlson, Norfolk, Nebraska

David Eatherton, St. Louis, Missouri

Miriam Ganoung, Halsey, Nebraska

Michaela Gibbs, Belleville, Illinois

Matthew Guilford, Lincoln, Nebraska

Joshua Meyer, Longmont, Colorado

Euphonium

Jacob Laesch, St. Louis, Missouri

Joshua Oberdieck, Elizabeth, Indiana

Tuba

Matthew Frerking, Columbia, Missouri

Benjamin Sams, Utica, Nebraska

Percussion

Ethan Bryson, Clarinda, Iowa

Aleksa Chambers, Wilber, Nebraska

Gretchen Hoft, Eldridge, Iowa

Timothy Mars, Cody, Wyoming

Shasta Tonniges, York, Nebraska

Rebecca Tredray, Robbinsdale, Minnesota

Jacob Wald, Sioux Falls, South Dakota

Aaron Wulff, St. Charles, Missouri

String Bass

Kelsey O'Gara, Duvall, Washington

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.

###