Concordia University, Nebraska

One Particular Joy: Concordia Nebraska A Cappella Choir director delights in directing children of former students

Seward, NE (03/06/2026) — Founded in 1938, the Concordia University, Nebraska A Cappella Choir performs both sacred and secular choral music throughout the United States and internationally. The choir's members are selected by audition at the start of each fall semester. One of America's oldest touring Lutheran college choirs, the University A Cappella Choir has performed concerts and joined congregations in worship throughout the United States (including Hawaii) and internationally in Greece, Italy, France, Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, India, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan, the Philippines, Germany, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Latvia, Austria, Spain, Mexico, South Africa and Australia.

Dr. Kurt E. von Kampen is the fourth conductor in the 87-year history of the University A Cappella Choir and also serves as chair of the university's music department. Before coming to Concordia Nebraska in 1998, he served as head of the choral program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as director of music at Lutheran High School in Westland and Northwest in the Detroit area. A number of current A Cappella choristers are children of choristers that von Kampen directed at Concordia Nebraska or during his previous posts throughout his career.

"It has been a joy to serve Concordia Nebraska as the conductor of the A Cappella Choir for nearly three decades. One particular joy of this profession that I did not anticipate is the unique circumstance of seeing students come to our program whose parents I also taught," he said. "On the one hand, it does mean I am old, but also it means that parents are encouraging their children to have an experience similar to the one they had when they were in one of my choirs."

Many current choir members' parents were directed in previous choirs directed by von Kampen, including:

Emily Castens

Sophomore Emily Castens of New Haven, Indiana, has been in the University A Cappella Choir for two years. She is majoring in music education and pursuing her Lutheran Teaching Diploma at Concordia Nebraska.

"I chose to study at Concordia because I knew that faith would be the foundation of my entire experience here. The music program operates at such a high level, but they never cease to be humble and put the focus on Christ," said Emily. "There is no lack of open support for anyone involved in music. The energy throughout the entire department is inspiring and motivates us all to do better, but it always comes back to how great God is and how much He has provided."

Her mom, Christine (Eifert) Castens '99, first met von Kampen while she was a high school student at Lutheran High School East in Detroit, Michigan. She participated in one of von Kampen's honor choir events.

"We were all very excited about this, as he had a reputation for being so cool!" said Christine. "He was a student of the 'Enunciation! Hard consonants!' variety, bless his heart, and so we followed his instruction as good students do, no matter how awkward it felt."

The next time Christine saw von Kampen was in 1998, when he accepted the call to serve at Concordia Nebraska. She was in her third year at the university singing in another choir, but when she heard he would be directing the University A Cappella choir, she auditioned.

"During those years, the memories are good. I learned so much from him in the classroom and in choir. Those years were mountaintop experiences for me," she said. "O Magnum Mysterium by Lauridsen is forever etched in my heart and will always bring me to tears. Also E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come by Manzinstant tears! Yet what I also remember are the simpler songs he had us learn and sing at worship services."

Emily's sister Kathryn (Castens) Pennington '23 and her husband, Nathan Pennington '23 were in A Cappella, and she also has had multiple older cousins sing in the choir under von Kampen's direction. Currently, her cousin Micah Zeckzer '28 is in the choir, too.

"My favorite thing about being in this choir is the balance between working hard and making memories. Dr. von Kampen constantly tells us to keep humility and tenacity in mind, and we work hard in and out of rehearsals," said Emily. "There are constantly people in the practice rooms and asking questions. But there's also plenty of opportunity to make memories and have fun with the choir. Every year when the choir goes on tour, we bond so much as a group and come back to the semester closer than everthe A Cappella Choir is a very dedicated but joyful group."

Madalyn Perkins

Freshman Madalyn Perkins of Springfield, Illinois, is studying elementary education at Concordia Nebraska, pursuing her Lutheran Teaching Diploma and Director of Christian Education endorsement. This is her first year in the University A Cappella Choir. Her father, Jacob Perkins '04, was in the choir for five years and also sang in the university's chamber choir for three years. Madalyn said she's heard tales of the choir's tour to Australia in 2001 and singing in the Sydney Opera House since she was a little girl. Following in her father's footsteps to sing in the choir has been a blessing, she said.

"My favorite part about participating in the A Cappella Choir is being able to create beautiful music that showcases Christ's love for us. I also love the friendships that I have made during my time with the A Cappella Choir. There are so many amazing people that I have had the privilege to meet!" she said. "My favorite experiences with the choir have been performing Brahms' Requiem in Wichita, Kansas, and my first Christmas at Concordia event."

A member of the Praise and chapel worship teams, Perkins frequently plays guitar and sings during on-campus worship. She also frequently attends the Attic campus Bible student and DCE group events.

"I chose to study at Concordia Nebraska because it felt the most like home. The community here has changed my life. I have made friends that I know will last a lifetime," she said. "My favorite thing about my Concordia experience so far is the support and guidance I have received from my community. Whether in the chapel, the cafeteria or my dorm, the community here is incredibly uplifting and faith filled."

Eliya Mars

Senior Eliya (Moldenhauer) Mars of Madison, Alabama, is studying biology and is in the pre-nursing program and Luke Scholars honor program at Concordia Nebraska. She was in the University A Cappella Choir for three and half years. Her mom, Allison (Gruhn) Moldenhauer '02, was in the choir during her freshman year at the university, and she also took several classes with von Kampen during her time at the university.

"She remembers putting together a small chamber choir and conducting a piece for chapel," said Eliya. "Dr. von Kampen told her that her left hand looked like a dead fish because she was only using her right hand to conduct the choir while she let her left hand hang at her side. She laughs about this to this day!"

Eliya met her husband Timothy Mars in the choir. During her freshman year, he sat in front of her in choir, and they would visit before rehearsals began. They married last year and had to miss the choir's September 2025 Brahms Requiem performance because Eliya was in the hospital giving birth to their daughter. Eliya is no longer touring with the choir, but Timothy still does.

"A Cappella is a choir with legacy. It is special to stand at the front of a church proclaiming God's Word through music knowing that countless generations before me have done the same," she added. "My favorite thing about being in choir was the ability to experience being part of something so much bigger than myself. Every day, sitting in those risers, I was grateful to sing and hear the singing of my fellow choir members."

"I chose to study at Concordia because I wanted a university with the Lutheran faith and values," she said. "I wished to continue in the legacy of my mom, and when I visited Concordia Nebraska, I fell in love with the community of both the school and the town of Seward."

These stories are just a glimpse of the two things that make this choir exceedingly special: its people and their unwavering focus on Jesus Christ.

"At Concordia Nebraska, I have had children of students I taught at Lutheran High Schools in Detroit, at Concordia Ann Arbor and now many who attended Seward in my early years here," said von Kampen. "So, far no grandchildren of former studentswhew! It is a joy to meet the offspring of former students and an even greater joy when I discover that they are very good singers like their parents!"

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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