Concordia University, Nebraska

Twenty-two Concordia University, Nebraska art students had artwork on display at the 2026 CINCF Student Art Exhibition during the month of April. The exhibition was held in Hillmer Art Gallery, located on the campus of the College of Saint Mary in Omaha, Nebraska. The goal of the exhibition is to showcase student artwork from across the state.

The increasing collaboration efforts within the Concordia University, Nebraska music department showcase its continued growth. One example of this is the upcoming collaboration between the University Band and the Percussion Ensemble.

Held once each semester, Concordia Nebraska's Honor Recital is a chance for the university's Department of Music to celebrate outstanding students and the work that they put into the study of music. This year's spring honor recital will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, on Friday, April 24 at 7 p.m.

Collaboration is one of the most exciting parts of musicianship. Concordia University, Nebraska offers many collaboration opportunities for musicians throughout the year, including a chamber recital for student-led ensembles and several joint concerts between university ensembles. On April 21, the University Mixed Chorus will collaborate in a combined concert with the Concordia Handbell Choir and the Concordia Ringers.

Much of developing the young musician is inspiring the confidence for them to create art without the constant supervision of a professional. Concordia University, Nebraska's music department does this by offering many student-led ensemble and performance opportunities. One example of this is the university's composers recital. This recitals occurs once per semester. The composers recital is a non-auditioned recital but is typically reserved for students who are enrolled in composition lessons. Those students are required to participate. The composers recital usually features a wide range of styles and instrumentations. This year's event will include works for choir, strings, piano and brass.

Concordia University, Nebraska's instrumental ensembles offer community members multiple opportunities to hear a variety of instrumental repertoire. Instrumental music allows the audience to fit their own experiences, narratives and emotions into the music, free of the constraints of lyrical specificity. The Concordia University, Nebraska University Orchestra will present its spring concert on Saturday, April 18, and the University Wind Symphony will perform its spring concert the following day on Sunday, April 19. The orchestra concert will be at 2 p.m. at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The program features two main works Joseph Haydn's "Symphony no. 49" and Aaron Copland's "Appalachian Spring Suite." Each of these pieces are staples of symphonic repertoire.

Concordia University, Nebraska's University A Cappella Choir will wrap up their spring 2026 tour with two home concerts on Sunday, March 22.

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.

Concordia University, Nebraska's theatre department will present a wide range of performances during the spring semester, including a full-length feature production, a one-act play festival, a variety of improv shows and more.

Junior Morgan Rohde of Fort Wayne, Indiana, is studying elementary education with music concentration at Concordia University, Nebraska. She is also pursuing her Lutheran Teacher Diploma. She has been a member of the University A Cappella Choir for three years.

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.

Senior studio art major Ava Bartels is preparing to wrap up her studies at Concordia University, Nebraska and will be hosting her senior art show on March 29. The exhibition will be conducted in Concordia's Marxhausen Gallery from 1 - 4 p.m., and Bartels will give a talk explaining the artwork at 2 p.m. Refreshments will be offered.

Concordia University, Nebraska's internationally acclaimed A Cappella Choir will travel throughout Wyoming, California, Nevada and Colorado on their spring 2026 tour from March 5-15.

From February 20-23, Concordia University, Nebraska's Chamber Choir will tour through Iowa, Indiana and Illinois as a part of their spring 2026 tour. Their tour involves a series of concerts, worship services and assemblies. Students in the Chamber choir are representative of a variety of academic studies across the university. Members are chosen by audition, and all are members of the internationally acclaimed A Cappella Choir.

The gift of music frequently brings together people from across the world in fellowship, and Christmas at Concordia is no exception. Over the course of four performances the weekend of December 5-7, over 2,400 students, faculty and staff, and Concordia community members gathered in St. John Lutheran Church in Seward, Nebraska, to celebrate the birth of Jesus and the salvation that the world receives through him.

Selected music students performed vocal and instrumental works at Concordia Nebraska'ssemiannual honor recital on April 26. Honor recitals are designed to allow students who perform at a high level to showcase their musical abilities in front of a live audience. Placement in the honor recital program is determined by auditions that take place earlier in the semester and are judged by music department faculty members. All students who participate in an applied music lesson are eligible and encouraged to audition. This semester's recital included works by composers like Benjamin Culli and Claude Debussy, with performances vocally and on instruments including organ, piano, trombone and flute.

On April 27 at 7 p.m., Concordia Nebraska music students will perform original works on various instruments at the 2025 spring composers' recital. The annual recital offers students a chance to perform their original compositions in front of a live audience. This year, the recital will take place at St. John Lutheran Church. The program features pieces by five different Concordia students and is set to include instruments such as flute, clarinet, piano and organ. Adjunct Professor of Music John Kosch teaches Concordia Nebraska's composition courses and coordinates the annual composers' recital. Kosch has won several composition awards from the NAfME and other organizations. His works have been selected for performances at regional and national Society of Composers conferences as well as the Brevard Music Festival, Charlotte New Music Festival and the Cortona Sessions for New Music.

Concordia Nebraska's theatre department will perform "WhoDunit...and to Whom?" as their spring mainstage play on March 28 and 29 at 7 p.m. and March 30 at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Black Box Theatre in the Borland Center for Music and Theatre on campus. The play was originally written by professional writer and actor Robert Frankel, who has published over 30 works in his lifetime.

Share on Facebook Share on X Share on LinkedIn Each year, Concordia University, Nebraska art students submit work for the university's annual Student Art Exhibition and are eligible to earn awards and scholarships based on their submitted work. This year's scholarship and award recipients were announced at the Marxhausen Gallery of Art on April 21. The Student Art Exhibition is on display through May 1. Entrance in the Student Art Exhibition is required for all art majors. Senior and junior students must submit seven works, while freshmen and sophomores must submit five. Students with an art minor can submit up to five works. The total amount of money awarded among all scholarships and endowments this year totaled over $20,000.

The Concordia Theatre Department performed two student-directed performances on April 4-6, 2024 in the Black Box Studio Theater in the Borland Center for Music and Theatre for Concordia Nebraska's annual One Act Play Festival. The festival is the practical component of the communication and theatre arts play production class. The class takes the students through the process of analyzing their play from multiple perspectives, including design, technical and acting choices so they are prepared to work with their peers to direct and produce a complete performance. This year's plays included "But We Don't" by Alan Haehnel and "Odds Are" by Keith J. Powell. "But We Don't" was directed by Emily Loseke and assistant director was Makayla Finecy. The acting ensemble included Timothy Baker, Jonathan Baumann, Jason Church, Brett Determan, Aiden Jenik, Brianna Pike, Araceli Regalado, Ethan Reynolds, Amanda Steinke, Sarah Stepp, Alleah Struble, Catherine Vyhlidal and Kristen Welling. "Odds Are" was directed by Elizabeth Ascher and stage manager was Julie Oetting. The acting ensemble included Jonathan Baumann, Madeline Hudson-Knowlton, Marieka Kaufman, Joshua Nikodym, Sara Erickson, Jason Church, Harley Storie, Brett Determan and Sarah Stepp. "I enjoy providing the opportunity for these student directors to learn the process and develop the skills needed to produce a show, and for other students to participate in additional, smaller shows" said Professor Bryan Moore, director of Concordia Nebraska's theatre department. "Many of our former one act directors have directed plays and musicals in their jobs at schools, churches, and community theaters, so it's exciting to know that this course and production were a part of their training. I can imagine the same opportunities and success for Emily and Elizabeth in their future teaching careers."

The theatre department at Concordia University, Nebraska is set to perform "Alice in Wonderland" as its fall mainstage play on November 8-10 and 15-17 in Weller Hall. Performances will take place each Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. "I'm excited about seeing the classic characters from Alice in Wonderland come alive in a new way," said sophomore Claire Horacek, who's serving as the assistant director for the play. "[The actors] put their own personal spin on each character, which makes this production unique and hilariously fun." "Alice in Wonderland" tells the story of a young girl who falls through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world full of anthropomorphic animals and magical adventures. Originally written by English author, mathematician and deacon Lewis Carroll, the classic tale has been translated into over a hundred languages and adapted for film, radio, ballet, opera and more. "This show is fun for all ages!" said Horacek. "Kids can be introduced into a colorful, wacky world of smiling cats and croquet flamingos. Adults can be transported down the rabbit hole once again, remembering the magic of childhood but the necessity of growing up. Come revisit the magic with us!" "People should come and see the fall play because they help make the show better," said sophomore April Abbett, who plays Alice. "We actors get really excited when our audience is excited, happy and enjoying the play as much as we are." "Theatre can be all sorts of things, but I believe it is most powerful when done for God's glory," Horacek said. Tickets to see this production cost $10 for general admission, or $5 for Concordia students and children. Cast and Crew for Alice in Wonderland include: Cast Alice: April Abbett, sophomore, Platte City, Mo. White Rabbit: Jonathan Baumann, sophomore, Chester, S.D. Caterpillar: William Ebel, freshman, Salina, Kan. Frog-Newsie: Nathan Aschmann, sophomore, Kearney, Neb. Fish-Newsie: Joshua Nikodym, sophomore, Grand Island, Neb. Humpty-Dumpty: Sara Erickson, junior, Omaha, Neb. Cheshire Cat: Araceli Regalado, sophomore, Des Moines, Iowa Harley Storie, senior, Valley Park, Mo. Mad Hatter: Caleb Jalas, senior, Deshler, Neb. March Hare: Mackenzie Schepmann, freshman, Macomb, Mich. Dormouse: Catherine Vyhlidal, sophomore, Morse Bluff, Neb. Tweedledum: Aiden Jenik, sophomore, Colorado Springs, Colo. Tweedledee: Duncan Carrasco, freshman, Sidney, Neb. Queen of Hearts: Madeline Hudson-Knowlton, sophomore, Kenai, Alaska King of Hearts: Morgan Davis, freshman, Andover, Kan. Tiny Door/Ensemble: Marieka Kaufman, sophomore, Milwaukie, Ore. Daisy/Ensemble: Sarah Stepp, sophomore, Lincoln, Neb. Lily/Ensemble: Kristen Welling, junior, Atkinson, Neb. Violet/Ensemble: Kerria Wright, freshman, Madison, Neb. Rose/Ensemble: Mi-Ree Zwick, sophomore, Bartlett, Tenn. Guard/Ensemble: Aubrey Burmeister, freshman, Alburquerque, N.M. Crew Director: Bryan Moore, Professor of Communication and Theatre Arts Assistant Director: Claire Horacek, sophomore, Papillion, Neb. Stage Manager: Emilee Price, senior, Columbus, Neb. Assistant Stage Manager: Ella Bradley, freshman, De Soto, Mo. Scenic Design: Natasha Tupper, Staff Scenic shop crew: Andrew Ring, sophomore, Bismarck, N.D. Ernest Clausing, junior, Seward, Neb. Nathan Aschmann, sophomore, Kearney, Neb. Costume Design: Alexa Hatcher, Staff Costume shop crew: Julie Oetting, senior, Belvidere, Ill. Anne Aschmann, senior, Seward, Neb. Claire Horacek, sophomore, Papillion, Neb. Lighting: Vaclav Fiala, freshman, Herculaneum, Mo. Sound: Daniel Ascher, freshman, Sioux Falls, S.D.

Concordia University, Nebraska's Vocal Jazz ensemble is set to travel to locations across Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois, Wisconsin and South Dakota during their spring 2024 tour from May 5-10. The 14-voice choir, comprised of mostly music majors, is selected from among the A Cappella choir members and has performed concerts and school assemblies throughout the Midwest including performances at the Nebraska Music Educators' annual conference, the Columbus NCDA jazz festival, and in the historic Sheldon Concert Hall in St. Louis, Mo. The choir is under the direction of Concordia's director of vocal music, Dr. Kurt von Kampen. Von Kampen has served at Concordia since 1998. He earned his bachelor's degree from Concordia Nebraska, a master's in choral conducting from Oakland University and a doctorate in choral music education from the University of Nebraska.

Thirteen Concordia Nebraska students currently have art work on display at the 2024 CINCF/Lincoln Industries Student Art Show in Omaha. The 2024 CINCF/Lincoln Industries Student Art Show is open through April 26, 2024, in the Hillmer Art Gallery on the College of Saint Mary campus located at 7000 Mercy Road in Omaha. The exhibition is open to the public Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Concordia Nebraska students exhibiting in the show art Ava Bartels, Sophia Bossio, Abby Gerber, Matt Hawes, Hannah Helmer, Elizabeth Lee, McKenzie Moore, Isabella Peperkorn, Kaitlyn Porter, Hannah Schaefer, Harley Storie, Heidi van der Heijden and Aiden Weishaar.

On Tuesday, April 9 at 7 p.m., Concordia's music department hosted its spring 2024 honor recital. The honor recital allows students who perform at a high level to showcase their vocal and instrumental talents in front of a live audience. Placement in the honor recital program is based on students' performance at auditions held by music department faculty members. The department holds auditions and recitals twice per year, or once each semester. This semester's recital featured pieces from composers from across several centuries and many countries, and pieces performed vocally or on instruments including clarinet, trombone, piano and organ.

On Friday, March 22, the Concordia Music Department hosted its Spring 2024 composers' recital. The composers' recital provides a unique opportunity for students who have composed original musical works to debut them in front of an audience. The program featured pieces by five different Concordia students. Performances included arrangements for voice, saxophone, organ, piano, violin and viola.

On Sunday, March 24, Concordia's music department hosted its spring chamber recital. Chamber recitals, given once each semester, allow students to facilitate, practice, and perform pieces of their choice in small, or "chamber," ensembles. Students' ability to choose their own pieces opens the recitals to a variety of musical genres, instrumentations and arrangements. Six ensembles performed at this spring's event, which included both vocal and instrumental performances in the recital hall of the newly renovated Borland Center for Music and Theatre.

Concordia University, Nebraska's theatre department will perform the play "Little Women" in the Black Box Studio Theater in the Borland Center for Music and Theatre March 22-24.

Four members of Concordia's Wind Symphony participated in the 2024 Nebraska State Bandmasters Association Convention held in Lincoln, Neb. on March 2. The annual NSBA convention brings together middle schools, high schools and colleges from across the state to partake in several days of music-making and other activities. The intercollegiate band takes place during this convention.

On November 12, 2023, Concordia's music department hosted its fall honor recital. The semiannual honor recital at Concordia showcases the vocal and instrumental talents of student musicians. Musicians are chosen to perform based on auditions judged by music department faculty members. The recital is held twice a year, once each semester.

On November 7th, Concordia University, Nebraska's music department hosted its Fall 2023 Composers Recital. Included in the program were pieces composed by six different Concordia students. The pieces included works for organ, voice, flute, and piano.