Concordia Choir Tour Program

2023 Tour of the Central United States

CREATIVE

SERIOUSLY MUSIC. SERIOUSLY MORE.

You can make serious music and also be serious about science, business, politics, law – or any other subject. The status of Concordia’s music program, coupled with its ability to grant the Bachelor of Music degree, tells you that music is a college cornerstone. But it doesn’t tell the whole story about the importance of music at Concordia. While approximately 200 students major in conservatory-level voice and instrumental music, composition, and music education at Concordia, each week 700 private music lessons are given in the college’s dozens of music studios. From the pianist who goes on to study piano pedagogy in graduate school to the choir member who becomes a film actor to the violinist who plans to be a pediatrician, nearly one-third of all Concordia students participate in the music program. Concordia’s worldwide musical reputation translates into opportunities for students to perform in great concert halls around the nation and the world, regardless of their major.

700

1/3

200

I Will Greatly Rejoice Knut Nystedt (1915-2014)

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, for my soul shall exult in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels

For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations

Psalm 2: Warum toben die Heiden Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847)

Warum toben die Heiden, und die Leute reden so vergeblich?

Die Könige im Lande lehnen sich auf, und die Herren ratschlagen miteinander wider den Herrn und seinen Gesalbten:

“Laßt uns zerreißen ihre Bande und von uns werfen ihre Seile!”

Aber der im Himmel wohnet, lachet ihrer, und der Herr spottet ihrer.

Er wird einst mit ihnen reden in seinem Zorn, und mit seinem Grimm wird er sie schrecken.

“Aber ich habe meinen König eingesetzt auf meinem heiligen Berge Zion.”

Ich will von einer solchen Weise predigen, daß der Herr zu mir gesagt hat:

“Du bist mein Sohn, heute hab ich dich gezeuget. Heische von mir, so will ich dir die Heiden zum Erbe geben, und der Welt Ende zum Eigentum.

Du sollst sie mit eisernen Zepter zerschlagen, wie Töpfe sollst du sie zerbrechen.

So lasset euch nun weisen, ihr Könige, und lasset euch züchtigen, ihr Richter auf Erden!

Dienet dem Herrn mit Furcht und freuet euch mit Zittern!

Küsset den Sohn, daß er nicht zürne und ihr umkommet auf dem Wege; denn sein Zorn wird bald anbrennen.

Aber wohl allen, die auf ihn trauen!

Ehre sei dem Vater, und dem Sohne, und dem heiligen Geiste, Wie es war von Anfang, jetzt und immerdar, und von Ewigkeit zu Ewigkeit. Amen.

Why do the nations so furiously rage together, and why do the people imagine a vain thing?

The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed saying:

“Let us break their bonds asunder and cast away their cords from us . ”

But He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; the Lord shall have them in derision Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath and vex them in his sore displeasure

“Yet have I set my King upon my holy hill of Sion ” I will preach the law, whereof the Lord hath said unto me:

“Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee . Desire of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession Thou shalt bruise them with a rod of iron and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel ”

Be wise now therefore, O ye kings be learned, ye that are judges of the earth Serve the Lord in fear and rejoice unto him with reverence Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and so ye perish from the right way; if his wrath be kindled, (yea, but a little), blessed are all they that put their trust in him Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now and always, and will be from eternity to eternity Amen

Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden (BWV 230) J S Bach (1685-1750)

Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, und preiset ihn, alle Völker! Denn seine Gnade und Wahrheit waltet über uns in Ewigkeit. Alleluja.

Praise the Lord, all you nations; Extol God and celebrate him, all you peoples! For His grace and truth endure forever Alleluia!

Ave Maria Javier Busto (b 1949)

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Jesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus . Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and in the hour of our death Amen

Edvard Grieg (1843-1907) Ave, maris stella, Dei Mater alma, Atque semper Virgo, Felix caeli porta.

Ave Maris Stella

Solve vincla reis, Profer lumen caecis, Mala nostra pelle, Bona cuncta posce Vitam praesta puram, Iter para tutum, Ut videntes Jesum, Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri, Summo Christo decus Spiritui Sancto, Tribus honor unus. Amen.

Translation by

Hail, star of the sea, loving Mother of God, and also always a virgin, Happy gate of heaven

Break the chains of sinners, Bring light to the blind, Drive away our evils, Ask for all good Keep life pure, Make the journey safe, So that, seeing Jesus, We may always rejoice together

Let there be praise to God the Father, Glory to Christ in the highest, To the Holy Spirit, One honor to all three Amen

Splendid Jewel Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)

Hail, hail devout virgin, splendid jewel, Maria! Now sing we with great delight of our perfect love, who prays for us to Christ who is our light and way .

Hail, hail devout virgin, splendid jewel, Maria! All you whose minds are in heaven, now sing sweetly, rightly presenting this gift to Christ and the Virgin

Hail, hail devout virgin High and glorious lady, mother of the most merciful Jesus, you are the rose of heaven, than which there is none more beautiful Splendid Maria! Hail, hail devout virgin, splendid jewel, Maria!

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Carissimi

Carissimi, diligamus nos invicem, quia caritas ex Deo est.

Et omnis qui diligit, ex Deo natus est, et cognoscit Deum: quoniam Deus caritas est.

Deum nemo vidi umquam. Si diligamus invicem, Deus in nobis manet, et caritas ejus in nobis perfecta est.

Deus caritas est: et qui manet in carite, in Deo manet, et Deus in eo.

– 1 John 4: 7, 8b, 12, 16b

Tonight, Eternity Alone

Tonight eternity alone is near, the sunset and the darkening blue There is no space for fear, only the wonder of its truth .

Dearly beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God .

And everyone who loves is born of God and knows God: For God is love

No one has ever seen God But if we love one another, God abides in us, and His love perfected in us God is love: and those that abide in love, abide in God, and God in them

My Song in the Night arr Paul J Christiansen

O Jesus my Savior, my song in the night, Come to us with Thy tender love, my soul’s delight

Unto Thee, O Lord in affliction I call, my comfort by day and my song in the night

Because You Sang

O why should I wander an alien from Thee, or cry in the desert Thy face to see, my comfort and joy, my soul’s delight, O Jesus, my Savior, my song in the night

A choir of a thousand What harbinger of spring

Who will bear this burden? Armored with each other

Though newly had you met Distinguished woven parts Will weather storm and clamor Sounding ever outwards, Perfect in its union And living future, bring? For souls not entered yet Of common beating hearts

Fortified, and boundless, Louder yet the uproar I’ll add my voice, my vigor

With voice unwavering Against oppression’s sting The song you raised will ring

Because you sang I sing, I sing

Because you sang, I sing

Because you sang I sing, I sing Because you sang I sing, I sing

Because you sang, I sing

Because you sang, I sing

Praise to the Lord arr F Melius Christiansen

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise Him, for he is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near, Join me in glad adoration

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee: Ponder anew what the Almighty can do If with his love he befriend thee!

Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him! Let the “Amen!” sound from his people again; Gladly for aye we adore him Hallelujah!

Alleluia

Who Shall Separate Us?

IV. OF ANGELS AND ALLELUIAS

Written for the funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height or depth, nor any other creature shall be able to separate to us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord Alleluia – Romans 8:35a, 38-39

Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence

Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling, and lift itself above all earthly thought

For the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, Christ our God, cometh forth to be our oblation, and to be given for food to the faithful

Before Him come the choirs of angels with every principality and power; the Cherubim with many eyes, and winged Seraphim, who veil their faces as they shout exultingly the hymn: Alleluia!

Let all mortal flesh keep silence and stand with fear and trembling

Song of Cherubim Krzysztof

Sung in Church Slavonic

Let us the cherubim mystically representing, and unto the life-giving Trinity the thrice-holy chant intoning, now lay aside all earthly care; That we may raise on the King of all, by the angelic hosts invisibly attended Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

YOUR TALENT HAS VALUE HERE!

High school juniors and sophomores attending today’s concert –submitting a photo of this program on your Concordia Music Scholarship application automatically makes you a finalist for the scholarship.

For more information, visit Kristen Hatfield at the Admission table in the lobby at today’s performance or email hatfield@cord.edu.

ConcordiaCollege.edu/MusicScholars

I’m Kristen, and I handle all things related to music enrollment, including music scholarships (for students of any major), degree auditions, and ensemble auditions. I’d love to hear from you with any questions you might have about participating in music on campus!

Email: hatfield@cord.edu

Phone (call or text): 612.741.9094

To be chosen from the following:

The Battle of Jericho arr Moses Hogan

I Will Be a Child of Peace

Elaine Hagenberg

arr Carol Barnett

Shout Glory Byron Smith (b 1960)

Ogo Ni Fun Oluwa (Glory to God in the Highest) Rosephanye Powell (b 1962)

The Times They Are A-Changing

Bob Dylan (b . 1941), arr Adam Podd

Beautiful Savior arr F Melius Christiansen

/ConcordiaChoir @ConcordiaChoir /TheConcordiaChoir

TheConcordiaChoir.org

Concordia Choir Tour Schedule

Willmar, Minn.

Saturday, Feb. 25 • 7 p.m.

Willmar Education and Arts Center

Anoka, Minn.

Sunday, Feb. 26 • 4 p.m.

Zion Lutheran Church

Farmington, Minn.

Saturday, March 4 • 7 p.m.

Farmington High School

Owatonna, Minn.

Sunday, March 5 • 4 p.m.

Trinity Lutheran Church

Des Moines, Iowa

Monday, March 6 • 7 p.m.

Plymouth United Church

Bentonville, Ark.

Tuesday, March 7 • 7:30 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

Little Rock, Ark.

Wednesday, March 8 • 7:30 p.m.

St. James United Methodist Church

Dallas, Texas

Thursday, March 9 • 7:30 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Austin, Texas

Friday, March 10 • 7:30 p.m.

St. Martin’s Lutheran Church

San Antonio, Texas

Saturday, March 11 • 7 p.m.

St. John’s Lutheran Church

Fort Worth, Texas

Sunday, March 12 • 7 p.m.

St. Stephen Presbyterian Church

Fort Smith, Ark.

Tuesday, March 14 • 7 p.m.

First United Methodist Church

Oklahoma City, Okla.

Wednesday, March 15 • 7 p.m.

First Presbyterian Church

Topeka, Kan.

Thursday, March 16 • 7 p.m.

Grace Episcopal Cathedral

Lincoln, Neb.

Friday, March 17 • 7 p.m.

Saint Paul United Methodist Church

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Saturday, March 18 • 7:30 p.m.

First Lutheran Church

Moorhead, Minn.

Sunday, March 19 • 4 p.m.

Concordia College

The Concordia Christmas Concert

The Concordia Christmas Concert performed at Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis is now made available each year for a limited time for online, on-demand viewing. Experience the Emmy award-winning concerts from the comfort of your own home wherever you are in the country and around the world this December!

Learn more about the Concordia Christmas Concerts at: ConcordiaChristmas.com

MINNESOTA

ALL-STATE

LUTHERAN CHOIR HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER CHOIR CAMP

June 17-25, 2023

Dr. Michael Culloton, artistic director of MASLC, will lead students who have completed grades 9, 10, 11, or 12, in a summer choral camp experience on Concordia’s campus for a week of choral rehearsals and community building in preparation for our regional tour.

Visit: ConcordiaCollege.edu/HighSchoolSummerChoir Students of all faith backgrounds from around the U.S. are encouraged to apply.

“The mission of The Concordia Choir is to uphold a sacred choral tradition through the uncompromising and unrelenting collaborative pursuit of musical integrity and spiritual expression.”

– Members of the 1993-94 Concordia Choir

The Concordia Choir of Moorhead, Minn., continues to affirm its reputation as one of America’s finest a cappella choirs. Since 1920, the 64-voice choir has performed in nearly every major hall including Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, and the Kennedy Center, as well as numerous international venues such as St. Paul’s Cathedral in London and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. A performance and recording session with the Grammy Award-winning King’s Singers and multiple performances at National ACDA Conventions highlight the choir’s world-class quality.

The Concordia Choir is featured in the Emmy Award-winning Concordia Christmas Concerts, which were recorded for national public television broadcast in 2016. Learn more at TheConcordiaChoir.org.

Biographies

Dr. Michael Culloton Conductor

Dr. Michael Culloton is an associate professor of music at Concordia College in Moorhead, Minn., where he is the director of choral activities, conductor of The Concordia Choir, and the Paul J. and Eleanor Christiansen Chair of Choral Music. Culloton teaches vocal music education and church music courses, serves as campus supervisor for student teachers, and advises the student chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. He also conducts the Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir, a summer program of Concordia College. Along with his duties at Concordia, Culloton is the artistic director and conductor of the Fargo-Moorhead Choral Artists and conductor of the Trinity Lutheran Church Cathedral Choir.

Prior to this appointment, Culloton served as the associate director of choirs at Concordia College for eight years, conducting the Chapel Choir, Cantabile, and Kantorei. Before moving to Moorhead, he was the artistic director and conductor of Choral Arts Ensemble and Honors Choirs of Southeast Minnesota, both organizations based in Rochester (Minn.), for eight years. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from Concordia College in Moorhead, where he studied with Dr. René Clausen, and his Master of Music degree from the University of Arizona, where he studied with Maurice Skones. Culloton completed his Doctor of Musical Arts degree through North Dakota State University, where he studied with Jo Ann Miller and Michael Weber.

Culloton has taught at Luther College and Winona Senior High School and has also served as the assistant and interim conductor of the National Lutheran Choir. He has held church choir positions in Moorhead, Tucson, Ariz., and Decorah, Iowa, and has been music director for nearly a dozen musical theatre productions. Along with his twin brother, Culloton is the co-editor of the Matthew and Michael Culloton Choral Series with Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. He has been recognized as the Minnesota ACDA Young Conductor of the Year and also received the ACDA/VocalEssence Creative Programming Award for his work with Choral Arts Ensemble. In 2009, he was a featured conductor in “Never Stop Singing,” a documentary about the history of choral music in Minnesota. Culloton serves as a guest conductor, clinician, and lecturer throughout the country. He lives in Moorhead with his wife, Brynn, who works in the enrollment division at Concordia, and their daughters, Eleanor and Miriam.

Andrew Steinberg Collaborative Pianist and Organist

Andrew Steinberg is choral area accompanist for Concordia College and Sanctuary Worship director and organist at Trinity Lutheran Church, Moorhead. He is frequently called on as a soloist as well as a collaborative accompanist in instrumental and choral activities featuring organ, harpsichord and piano, and as musical director for a variety of music theatre experiences across the country. Steinberg is fortunate to work with hundreds of students each semester on projects large and small. He has begun coaching singers into creating their own musical theatre cabaret shows exploring the world of musical theatre literature, preparing performers for professional experiences.

Steinberg has served as organist and worship director at congregations in the Twin Cities, Fort Collins, Colo., and the Fargo-Moorhead area. He performed in Wittenberg, Germany, as part of the celebration of the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation, and has performed across the United States, Germany and Scotland. Steinberg holds a master’s degree in organ performance and certification in liturgical studies from Colorado State University, Fort Collins. He remains active as organist, collaborative pianist, vocal coach, and musical director for Concordia College’s theatre program. Steinberg has earned credits toward a doctorate in collaborative piano. His primary teachers have been Peter Nygaard, Dr. Joel Bacon, and Dr. Tyler Wottrich.

Singing and Studying at Concordia

Music as a Passion, Nursing as a Calling Jacob Meyer ’24

Willmar, Minn.

Major: Nursing

Jacob Meyer experienced a frustrating college search, at least until his high school choir director encouraged him to visit Concordia and learn about its choral program. “I was immediately drawn to the community of The Concordia Choir,” Jacob recalls. “They were a group of talented and passionate musicians centered around creating beautiful choral music.”

Even while pursuing a career in nursing and already beginning work in a local hospital, Jacob has continued to make music at Concordia, which he considers to be his number one passion. “The combination of the supportive community, challenging musical training, and the opportunity to contribute to the elevation of choral music has made me stay with The Concordia Choir,” says Jacob. “The passion and dedication of the members, combined with the choir’s commitment to excellence, has created a truly special environment that I am honored to be a part of.”

Finding Strength of Character Lizzi Ortmeier ’23

Brainerd, Minn.

Major: Theatre Art

Minors: Business, English Writing

“I knew I wanted to keep singing throughout college,” says Lizzi Ortmeier. “I wanted to be a part of something more on campus, and I wanted to challenge myself. The Concordia Choir’s high standard of excellence and its strong legacy are two things that make me the proudest to be a singer at Concordia.”

During her three years in the choir, Lizzi has seen a lot of change. “It’s been an amazing journey. The first year we didn’t even tour due to COVID and rehearsed six feet apart. Last year we toured the Southwest and traveled abroad to Italy. This choir is an adventure, and it’s undertaken with people you trust and love.”

Lizzi’s greatest passion is storytelling and describes herself as, “a theatre kid through and through.” Specifically, she wants to make art that gives space for change and helps people find truer and kinder reflections of themselves in her work. “I want people to find courage, empathy, love, and respect for others by engaging with the stories I share. Whether it’s in music, on a stage, in a game or book, wherever it’s accessible; I want it to impact them and inspire them.”

Fostering Community Through Choral Music

Kaylee Gross ’23

Sioux Falls, S.D.

Major: Vocal Music Education

Kaylee Gross has always been very passionate about music and human connection and aspires to relay those passions through her future work as a music educator. Much like her own choral experience, Kaylee wishes to “facilitate a place within my own choirs where students can be authentically themselves, get excited about great music, and develop lasting friendships.”

Kaylee’s love for The Concordia Choir started years ago when one of her hometown best friends told her about the choir’s tradition of choral music excellence. After seeing The Concordia Choir perform in a Concordia Christmas Concert and at the Music Scholarship Concert, she knew she wanted to sing in the blue velvet robes one day. Now as graduation nears, Kaylee cites The Concordia Choir as the reason for her strongest relationships. “There is such a strong sense of community here, and I always look forward to rehearsal each day knowing I will get to make meaningful music with all my favorite people! I feel like the truest version of myself when I am surrounded by my choir family.”

Music and Medicine

Connor Sturges ’24

Hutchinson, Minn.

Majors: Biology, Neuroscience

Minors: Chemistry, Political Science

Connor Sturgis feels a special appreciation for the music program at Concordia College because despite not being a music major, he still feels included as part of the greater music community at Concordia. “The teamwork and support shown by every member as we work together to produce excellent choral music is palpable and extends beyond rehearsal,” says Connor. “This is why I choose to be a part of this community.”

When not in choir, you can usually find Connor studying or in a lab in the Integrated Science Center on campus. He plans to attend medical school after Concordia, and this past summer, he had the memorable opportunity to go on a medical mission trip to Costa Rica with a small group of Concordia students, which further stoked his excitement for his future career. “What drives me the most is working toward my vocation of improving the human condition by serving patients, researching diseases, and teaching the next generation of healthcare providers.”

Going Where the Liberal Arts Lead Her Mykaela Zola ’24

Grand Forks, N.D. Majors: Psychology, Communication Studies

Minors: Business, Women’s and Gender Studies

Mykaela Zola was heavily involved in both choir and theatre during her time in high school, and she knew she wanted to remain involved in music throughout her collegiate career. Singing in The Concordia Choir provided her with that opportunity, and it has given her some of her best friends and memories along the way. “I’m also proud to say I wear the same blue velvet that my grandma once wore as a member of The Concordia Choir under the direction of Paul J. Christiansen,” says Mykaela. Her biggest supporter at Concordia has been her voice professor, Dr. Holly Janz. “Dr. Janz has been instrumental in shaping not only who I am as a performer, but who I am as a person.”

While a lot of Mykaela’s close friends have occupations that are pre-determined, she is excited for the uncertainty of her own vocational path. The strong liberal arts education that she has received from Concordia has allowed her to pursue majors that leave her career field open-ended, and she’s excited to explore what’s next.

At Home On Stage

Robbie Alvarado-Perez ’25

Bronx, N.Y.

Majors: Vocal Performance Minors: Business

Robbie Alvarado-Perez was in high school when his choir traveled from New York to Minnesota and participated in an exchange with The Concordia Choir. Robbie reflects, “I remember hearing The Concordia Choir and thinking ‘I want to sing with them in the future!’” Years later, Robbie has had many memorable experiences singing at Concordia, with a favorite moment being the Christmas Concert in 2021. “It was so special because my mom and my sister were able to come from New York to watch it,” says Robbie. “Being from the other side of the country, having them there for the Christmas Concert was incredible.”

Whether it be in choir, theatre, or a solo setting, Robbie’s greatest passion is performing. He is looking forward to more musical adventures after graduation and hopes to travel and perform around the world. “I love making music and expressing myself artistically. I feel like my best self when I’m on stage,” says Robbie.

2022 International Tour to Italy

In May 2022, The Concordia Choir embarked on a 13-day concert and cultural tour of Italy. From the canals of Venice to the artwork of Florence and the ancient architecture of Rome, the choir experienced the best of what this country, known for its beautiful views, rich cultural heritage, and delicious food, has to offer. While embracing the sights, sounds, and tastes of Italy, The Concordia Choir shared its music at numerous concerts along the way, including several rewarding collaborations with local choirs. The choir also sang during a Mass at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and performed at Basilica San Marco in Venice and the Roman Pantheon. This incredible tour adds yet another storied chapter to the 100+ year tradition of choral excellence for which The Concordia Choir is known around the world.

SOPRANO 1

The Concordia Choir 2022-23

Michael Culloton, Conductor | Wyatt Steinke, Manager

% Kathryn Gubrud ’23, Willmar, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Svea Hagen ’25, Eagan, Minn. | Vocal Performance

Delaney Matejka ’23, Frazee, Minn. | Vocal Music Education; Theatre Arts

Samara McDermid ’23, Jamestown, N.D. | Vocal Performance

Stella Peterson ’25, Fargo, N.D. | Biology; Women and Gender Studies

@ Ava Pfeifer ’24, Bismarck, N.D. | Vocal Music Education

@ Elena Pluim ’25, South St. Paul, Minn. | Vocal Music Education; Psychology

@ Zoey Zachek ’24, St. Louis Park, Minn. | Communication Studies; Music, Art, Psychology, Social Activism

SOPRANO 2

Liv Baldzicki ’23, Prior Lake, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Teagan Coyer ’23, Farmington, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

* Kaylee Gross ’23, Sioux Falls, S.D. | Vocal Music Education

Tahlia Haas ’25, Detroit Lakes, Minn. | Food/Nutrition/Dietetics

Sarah Kinzle ’25, Polson, Mont. | Vocal Music Education

Rachel Lanning ’25, Willmar, Minn. | Business Marketing; Psychology

@ Haley Walsh-Frisby ’25, Eyota , Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Mykaela Zola ’24, Grand Forks, N.D. | Psychology, Communication Studies; Business, Women’s and Gender Studies

ALTO 1

Isabel Aylin ’24, Northfield, Minn. | Communication Studies; Art and Design, English

Sydney Christenson ’23, Alexandria, Minn. | Nursing

Sarah DeSmith ’24, Worthington, Minn. | English Writing, Philosophy

Patrice Eakman ’24, Cloquet, Minn. | Theatre Art

@ Madeline Graddy ’23, Esko, Minn. | Biology Education; Psychology

Hannah Hagen ’25, Detroit Lakes, Minn. | Healthcare Leadership, Pre-Chiropractic; Biology

Sara Kampsen ’25, Sauk Centre , Minn. | Biology; Chemistry, Spanish

Cassandra Louwagie ’24, Cottonwood, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

ALTO 2

Carmen Geiger-Schutz ’23, Fountain City, Wis. | Composition; Psychology, Women and Gender Studies

Josephine Golla ’25, Luverne, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Margrethe Hawthorne ’24, Edina, Minn. | French, English Education; Music

Greta Johnson ’25, Plymouth, Minn. | Music; Women and Gender Studies

Elizabeth Ortmeier ’23, Brainerd, Minn. | Theatre Arts; Business, English Writing

Tierney Stewart ’24, Coon Rapids, Minn. | Communication Studies, Art

* Kailee Vigen ’23, Thief River Falls, Minn. | Chemistry; Biology

Erin Vruwink ’26, Spicer, Minn. | Accounting

TENOR 1

Robert Alvarado-Perez ’25, Bronx, N.Y. | Vocal Performance; Business

* Parker Degerness ’25, West Fargo, N.D. | Vocal Music Education; Church Music

Luke Eyler ’24, Plymouth, Minn. | Political Science; Music

Benjamin Heimark ’25, Detroit Lakes, Minn. | English Writing; Film Studies

Calvin La Fave ’23, Bloomington, Minn. | Political Science; Theatre

Matthew Mortensen ’24, Saint Paul, Minn. | Vocal Performance

Jayden Olmsted ’26, Rogers, Minn. | Social Studies Education; Political Science

Jacob Penny ’26, Farmington, Minn. | Music Education

TENOR 2

Jacob Hanson ’24, Brainerd, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Noah Jeppesen ’24, Waverly, Iowa | Biology; Chemistry

Sam Johnson ’24, Fargo, N.D. | Business

@ Oliver Knudson ’24, Brainerd, Minn. | Organ Performance; Church Music

Jack Lanners ’23, Buffalo, Minn. | Communication Studies, Sociology

Nolan Radtke-Scherping ’25, Winsted, Minn. | Physics, Pre-engineering; Music

Lucas Razidlo ’25, Waconia, Minn. | Finance; Economics

BARITONE

Tyler Clark ’23, Andover, Minn. | English Education; Music

Conner Fettig ’25, Bemidji, Minn. | Music Composition

* Isaac Frauendienst ’23, Buffalo, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

@ William Jacobson ’24, Ada, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Levi Kovic ’24, Chanhassen, Minn. | Vocal Music Education; Church Music, Psychology

Jacob Meyer ’24, Willmar, Minn. | Nursing

Connor Sturges ’24, Hutchinson , Minn. | Biology, Neuroscience; Chemistry, Political Science

Jon Worner ’24, Park Rapids, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

BASS 2

Reese Anderson ’24, Sioux Falls, S.D. | Biology; Chemistry

Benjamin Archuleta ’25, Bismarck , N.D. | Music Composition

Ian Brown ’25, Eden Prairie , Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Joseph Koroll ’24, Clearwater, Minn. | Vocal Music Education

Carlos O’Ryan ’24, Columbia , Md. | Theatre Arts, English Writing

Eli Olson ’25, Sioux Falls , S.D. | Business/Finance

Josh Powell ’25, White Bear Lake, Minn. | Composition; Psychology

# Dylan Pringle ’24, Sartell, Minn. | Vocal Music Education; Psychology

# Student Manager

% President

* Section Leader

@ Board Member

Music Department Faculty and Staff

CHORAL AND VOCAL FACULTY

Michael Culloton

The Concordia Choir, Choral Conducting, Vocal Music Education, Church Music

Kira Haler Knutson

Chapel Choir, Kantorei, and Cantabile

MUSIC FACULTY

Sonja Bosca-Harasim | Violin, Viola

Jane Linde Capistran | Violin, Viola, String Techniques

Nat H. Dickey | Department Chair, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba

David P. Eyler | Percussion, Percussion Ensemble, Marimba Choir, Percussion Methods

Peter Haberman | Instrumental Music Education, The Concordia Band, Cobber Echo Band

Gregory Hamilton | Cello, Double Bass

Douglas Harbin | Music Theory, Composition

Debora Harris | Flute

Jay Hershberger | Piano

Race Hoglund | Saxophone

Ísis Jarnicki de Carvalho

Voice

David Hamilton

Voice, Diction, Repertoire, Music May

Seminars, Opera Workshop, Italian

Rachel Horan | Piano, Aural Skills

Erika Izaguirre | Music Teaching Fellow; Instructor, Trumpet

Grigor Khachatryan | Piano

Steven Makela | Music Theory and Composition

Eric Martens | Classical Guitar, Jazz Guitar, Guitar Ensemble

Jeffrey Meyer | Music History, Music Theory, Global Music

Douglas Neill | Tuba, Bass Guitar

Russell Peterson | Bassoon, Saxophone, Jazz Ensemble I

Shauna Pickens | Coordinator of Music Education, Brass Techniques

Holly Janz

Voice, Diction

Anthony Leathem

Voice

Anne Jennifer Nash

Voice

ADJUNCT VOICE FACULTY

Shirley Leiphon Voice

Maisi Pedersen Voice

Ainsley Rentfrow | Music Education

Annett Richter | Music History, Aural Skills

Callie Stadem | Harp

Andrew Steinberg | Organ, Church Music

Verlene “Beanie” Stotts | Symphonic Band

Stephen Sulich | Accompanying, Coaching, Opera Workshop

Kevin Sütterlin | Instrumental Conducting, The Concordia Orchestra, Opera Concordia

Kelley Tracz | Oboe

Karin Wakefield | Horn, Piano

Leigh Wakefield | Clarinet, Woodwind Methods

Jessica Westgard Larson | Handbell Choirs

ADMINISTRATIVE

STAFF

Karly Nelson | Administrative Assistant for the Music Department

Kristen Hatfield | Music Enrollment Coordinator

Matt Winarski | Associate Administrator and Manager for Instrumental Ensembles

Wyatt Steinke | Associate Administrator and Manager for Choral Ensembles

The René Clausen Choral Legacy Endowed Fund

Celebrating a Legacy, Claiming the Future of Choral Music at Concordia College

The name René Clausen is renowned by choral musicians, conductors and music lovers alike. His compositions are performed by choirs around the world and his work as a commissioned composer, clinician and guest conductor have taken him from coast to coast. He has received both the Weston H. Noble Lifetime Achievement Award from the North Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association and the F. Melius Christiansen Lifetime Achievement Award from ACDA of Minnesota.

At Concordia, Clausen is a man beloved by generations of musicians. His caring manner, relentless commitment to excellence, brilliant leadership, inspired teaching and gifts of creativity and compassion have left an indelible mark. For all of this and for the abundance of personal stories about this man and the impact of his life and work, we honor Dr. René Clausen with an endowment that will sustain the Concordia Choral program for decades to come.

Please join us in celebrating him with a gift to the René Clausen Choral Legacy Endowed Fund.

This permanent fund will provide a sustained stream of income to support Concordia’s Choral program. This endowment honors the legacy of Dr. René Clausen by claiming the future for The Concordia Choir, the choral program at Concordia College and the musicians who will carry forth this living tradition of excellence in music.

To donate to the René Clausen Choral Legacy Endowed Fund, visit: ConcordiaCollege.edu/ClausenLegacy.

For more information or questions, contact: Concordia College, Office of Advancement | 901 8th St S., Moorhead, MN 56562 219.299.3733 or 800.699.9896 | giving@cord.edu

O Radiant Dawn

New in 2021, this two-disc collection features mostly pieces never before recorded by The Concordia Choir, including works by René Clausen, Adolphus Hailstork, Carol Barnett, Undine Smith Moore, and more. “O Radiant Dawn” is the first Concordia Choir album with Michael Culloton as conductor.

… And Glory Shone Around

Experience the Emmy Award-winning Concordia College Christmas Concerts! The 2021 Christmas Concert features nearly 300 student musicians performing works by Dan Forrest, Cecilia McDowall, Felix Mendelssohn, René Clausen, Paul J. Christiansen, and more.

Legacy

This two-disc set commemorates the 34 year career of René Clausen as conductor of The Concordia Choir and features never-before-released live in-concert recordings from across Dr. Clausen’s time at Concordia. Made possible by the Blochberger Choral Music Fund, all proceeds from the sale of this collection will be donated to the René Clausen Choral Legacy Endowed Fund.

The Trinity Lutheran Church Foundation of Moorhead, Minn., is pleased to support the mission of The Concordia Choir by providing financial assistance through a grant for its 2023 Central United States Tour.

The Trinity Foundation exists to participate in the mission of Trinity Lutheran Church: “God is calling Trinity Lutheran Church to shine the light of Christ into Downtown Moorhead and beyond.”

In 1974, Trinity members planted seeds for a Foundation. From God’s abundant blessings, we invest resources today to support ministries in the future. Distributions come from the earnings without invading the original principal.

Grants from the Foundation have supported multiple ministries, including congregational projects such as Trinity Mission Workshops and Trinity Preschool, community outreach through Churches United for the Homeless and the FM Emergency Food Pantry, and global mission compassion projects like Project Hero and Lutheran Disaster Relief. Learn more and donate at Trinitymhd.org/Trinity-Foundation

Ensuring Quality

Concordia’s music department is widely known for the excellence of its training in vocal and instrumental performance, conducting, composition and theory, history and ethnomusicology, as well as music education. Our alumni perform worldwide in concert halls, opera houses or by living out their vocations as organists, directors and ministers of church music, conductors, composers, professors and chairs at major universities. Additionally, the lives of students and alumni from other academic fields have been enriched because of their participation in music performance.

Endless Your Grace

Our second compilation of folk songs, spirituals and hymns contains audience favorites over the years including “What a Wonderful World.” Sixteen stunning tracks of lighter fare position this recording as one of our top sellers.

800.828.6409

ConcordiaRecordings.com

To recognize excellence in music performance, music scholarships are available to students in all fields of study. These awards help ensure we can maintain our traditions of excellence. You can offer students, like those who performed for you today, the opportunity to achieve their musical aspirations by considering a gift in support of music scholarships. Become part of the choral music tradition at Concordia today!

ConcordiaCollege.edu/GiveToMusic