Celebrating 250 Years of America
THE TWENTY-NINTH ANNUAL
MASTERWORKS CONCERT SERIES
American Anthem: copland, dett, lauriDsen
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:00pm
Soka Performing Arts Center
Lux Aeterna
Concordia Master Chorale
The Concordia Choir
MasterWorks Orchestra
Orson Van Gay II, tenor
Michael Busch, conductor
Morten Lauridsen
I. Introitus (b.1943)
II. In te, Domine, speravi
III. O nata lux
IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
V. Agnus Dei - Lux aeterna
The Chariot Jubilee Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)
Intermission (20 minutes)
Old American Songs Aaron Copland from Set 1 (1900-1990)
The Boatmen’s Dance
The Dodger Long Time Ago
Simple Gifts
I Bought Me a Cat from Set 2
The Little Horses
Zion’s Walls
At the River
Ching-a-ring Chaw
“The Promise of Living” from The Tender Land Aaron Copland
Length of performance: Approximately one-and-three-quarter hours, including one twenty-minute intermission. Please silence cell phones. Video and/or audio recording of this concert is not permitted.
Thank you for withholding your applause until the end of each full work.
PROGRAM
Lux Aeterna Morten Lauridsen
I. Introitus
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them. Te decet hymnus Deus in Zion, A hymn befits thee, O God in Zion, et tibi redetur votum and to thee a vow shall be fulfilled in Jerusalem: in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem meam, Hear my prayer, ad te omnis caro veniet. for unto thee all flesh shall come.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them.
II. In te, Domine, speravi
Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem To deliver us, you became human, non horruisti Virginis uterum. and did not disdain the Virgin’s womb. Tu devicto mortis aculeo, Having blunted the sting of death, You aperuisti credentibus regna coelorum. opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis. A light has risen in the darkness for the upright. Miserere nostri, Domine, Have mercy upon us, O Lord, miserere nostri. have mercy upon us.
Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, quemadmodum speravimus in te. as we have trusted in thee.
In te Domine, speravi: In thee, O Lord, I have trusted: non confundar in aeternum. let me never be confounded.
III. O nata lux
O nata lux de lumine,
O born light of light, Jesu redemptor saeculi, Jesus, redeemer of the world, dignare clemens supplicum mercifully deem worthy and accept laudes preces que sumere. the praises and prayers of your supplicants.
Qui carne quondam contegi Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh dignatus es pro perditis. for the sake of the lost ones, Nos membra confer effici, grant us to be made members tui beati corporis. of your holy body.
IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus
Veni, Sancte Spiritus,
Come, Holy Spirit, Et emitte coelitus Send forth from heaven Lucis tuae radium. The ray of thy light.
Veni, pater pauperum, Come, Father of the poor, Veni, dator munerum, Come, giver of gifts, Veni, lumen cordium. Come, light of hearts.
Consolator optime, Thou best of Consolers, Dulcis hospes animae, Sweet guest of the soul, Dulce refrigerium. Sweet refreshment. In labore requies, In labor, thou art rest, In aestu temperies, In heat, the tempering, In fletu solatium. In grief, the consolation.
V. Agnus Dei – Lux aeterna
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis peccata mundi, who takest away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem. grant them rest.
Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis peccata mundi, who takest away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem sempiternam. grant them rest everlasting.
Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum: in the company of thy Saints for ever and ever; quia pius es. for thou art merciful.
Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. And let perpetual light shine upon them.
Alleluia. Amen.
Alleluia. Amen.
Down from the heavens, a golden chariot swinging, Comes God’s promise of salvation. Amen. Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home.
God made a covenant for the glory of his grace. God made a covenant through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
His gospel, flowing free like a chariot swung from heaven Shall bear the true believer home, safely home.
Salvation, sweet cov’nant of our Lord, I shall ride up in the chariot in that morning!
He who doth on Christ believe, Though he were dead, yet shall he live. King Jesus triumphed o’er the grave; His grace alone can sinners save!
Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home!
Swing low, sweet chariot, Sweet cov’nant of God’s grace! O hallelujah!
INTERMISSION (20 MINUTES)
His gospel, flowing free like a chariot swung from heaven Shall bear the true believer home, safely home.
The Chariot Jubilee
R. Nathaniel Dett
PROGRAM
Old American Songs
The Boatmen’s Dance (Minstrel Song 1843)
High row the boatmen row, Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.
The boatmen dance, the boatmen sing, The boatmen up to ev’rything.
And when the boatman gets on shore, He spends his cash and works for more.
Then dance the boatmen dance,
O dance the boatmen dance!
O dance all night ‘til broad daylight, And go home with the gals in the mornin’.
I went on board the other day
To see what the boatmen had to say. There I let my passion loose,
An’ they cram me in the calaboose.
O dance the boatmen dance…
The boatman is a thrifty man, There’s none can do as the boatman can.
I never see a pretty gal in my life, But that she was a boatman’s wife.
High row the boatmen row, Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.
So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give it expressive meaning.
- AARON COPLAND
The Dodger (Campaign Song)
Yes, the candidate’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger, Yes the candidate’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.
He’ll meet you and treat you and ask you for your vote
But look out boys he’s a dodgin’ for a note.
Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.
Yes, the preacher he’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger,
Yes the preacher he’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.
He’ll preach you a gospel and tell you of your crimes
But look out boys he’s a dodgin’ for your dimes.
Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.
Yes the lover he’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger,
Yes the lover he’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.
He’ll hug you and kiss you and call you his bride
But look out girls he’s a tellin’ you a lie.
Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.
Aaron Copland
Long Time Ago (Ballad)
On the lake where droop’d the willow, Long time ago, Where the rock threw back the billow, Brighter than snow. Dwelt a maid beloved and cherish’d, By high and low. But with autumn leaf she perish’d, Long time ago.
Rock and tree and flowing water, Long time ago, Bird and bee and blossom taught her, Love’s spell to know. While to my fond words she listen’d, Murmuring low, Tenderly her blue eyes glisten’d, Long time ago.
Simple Gifts
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be. And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed. To turn will be our delight ‘Till by turning we come round right.
‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.
I Bought Me a Cat
I bought me a cat, my cat pleased me,
I bought me a pig, my pig pleased me. I fed my cat under yonder tree.
My cat says fiddle eye fee.
I bought me a duck, my duck pleased me, I fed my duck under yonder tree.
(Children’s Song)
I fed my pig under yonder tree.
My pig says, “Griffey, griffey”. My hen says. . .
I bought me a cow, my cow pleased me.
My duck says, “Quaa, quaa”, I fed my cow under yonder tree. My cat says fiddle eye fee.
I bought me a goose, my goose pleased me, I fed my goose under yonder tree.
My cow says “Baw, baw”, My pig says . . .
I bought me a horse, my horse pleased me.
My goose says, “Quaw, quaw”, I fed my horse under yonder tree.
My duck says. . .
I bought me a hen, my hen pleased me.
I fed my hen under yonder tree.
My horse says, “Neigh, neigh”, My cow says. . .
I bought me a wife, my wife pleased me. My hen says, “Shimmy shack, shimmy shack”, I fed my wife under yonder tree.
My goose says. . .
My wife says, “Honey, honey”, My horse says “Neigh, neigh”. . .
(Shaker Song)
PROGRAM
The Little Horses (Lullaby)
Hush you bye, don’t you cry.
Hush you bye, don’t you cry, Go to sleepy little baby.
Go to sleepy little baby. When you wake, you shall have, When you wake, you’ll have sweet cake and All the pretty little horses. All the pretty little horses.
Blacks and bays, dapples and grays,
A brown and gray and a black and a bay and a Coach and six-a little horses. Coach and six-a little horses.
Zion’s Walls (Revivalist Song)
Come fathers and mothers,
O fathers don’t you feel determined Come sisters and brothers, To meet within the walls of Zion. Come join us in singing the praises of Zion. We’ll shout and go round the walls of Zion.
At the River (Hymn Tune)
Shall we gather by the river,
Soon we’ll reach the shining river, Where bright angel’s feet have trod,
Soon our pilgrimage will cease, With its crystal tide forever
Soon our happy hearts will quiver Flowing by the throne of God.
With the melody of peace.
Yes, we’ll gather by the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints by the river That flows by the throne of God.
Ching-a-ring Chaw
Ching-a-ring-a ring ching ching, Ho-a ding-a ding kum larkee.
Brothers gather round, Listen to this story, ‘Bout the promised land, An’ the promised glory.
You don’t need to fear If you have no money, You don’t need none there, To buy you milk and honey.
There you’ll ride in style, Coach with four white horses, There the evenin’ meal, Has one, two, three, four courses.
Nights we all will dance, To the harp and fiddle, Waltz and jig and prance, “Cast off down the middle.”
When the mornin’ come, All in grand and splendor, Stand out in the sun, And hear the holy thunder.
Brothers hear me out, the promised land’s a-comin’, Dance and sing and shout, I hear them harps a-strummin’.
Ching-a-ring-a ching ching ching, Ring ching ching ching Chaw!
(Minstrel Song)
Brothers gather round, Listen to this story, ‘Bout the promised land, An’ the promised glory.
“The Promise of Living”
Thanksgiving Song from the opera “The Tender Land”
The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving is born of our loving our friends and our labor.
The promise of growing with faith and with knowing is born of our sharing our love with our neighbor.
For many a year we’ve known these fields and known all the work that makes them yield. Are you ready to lend a hand? We’ll bring in the harvest, the blessings of harvest.
We plant each row with seeds of grain, and Providence sends us the sun and the rain. By lending a hand, by lending an arm, bring out from the farm, bring out the blessings of harvest.
Give thanks there was sunshine, give thanks there was rain.
Give thanks we have hands to deliver the grain.
Come join us in thanking the Lord for his blessing.
O let us be joyful. O let us be grateful to the Lord for His blessing.
The promise of ending in right understanding is peace in our own hearts and peace with our neighbor.
O let us sing our song, and let our song be heard.
Let’s sing our song with our hearts, and find a promise in that song.
The promise of living.
The promise of growing.
The promise of ending is labor and sharing our loving.
Aaron Copland
Thank you for attending our Concordia MasterWorks 2026 performance. We’re excited to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth with a concert featuring an all-American lineup of composers. As part of our USA250 series of concerts, our department has been delighted to explore the rich tapestry of choral and instrumental music. The works selected for this performance showcase a unique diversity of American choral-orchestral music from the past century.
We’ll begin the concert with a modern masterpiece that has captivated the world by its sheer beauty, Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. Its popularity even inspired a feature film documentary. The second piece of the program prominently features a song genre that’s uniquely American, the African-American spiritual. Robert Nathaniel Dett, a pioneering composer of spirituals, transforms the well-known spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” into an extended choral celebration in The Chariot Jubilee. Lastly, if there’s a composer whose music feels most distinctly American, it’s Aaron Copland. His Old American Songs beautifully captures the spirit, humor, and diversity of early American life.
Personally, I’ve been drawn to Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna for many years, and it’s been a constant presence in my playlist. Its serene beauty captures my imagination in a way that comforts and consoles. I’ve prayed the opening lines repeatedly as I listen, especially as I continue to mourn the passing of my parents. The words “Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine upon them” resonate with assurance. There’s something about Lauridsen’s music that lifts the spirit and penetrates the soul, making it an ideal accompaniment to the texts drawn from the Latin
Requiem Mass. In the award-winning film documentary Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen, the composer shared his inspiration for Lux Aeterna:
“I simply tried to write something very, very beautiful. A meditation, a quiet meditation about Illumination. And people connect with that, and it makes no difference where it is or who it is. People are able to hear this music and very often go into a transformative state that connects with something very deep inside of them.”
Composed in 1997, Lux Aeterna is a five-movement cycle that explores themes of “Light” through various sacred Latin texts. Lauridsen composed it in response to his mother’s final illness, finding immense personal comfort and solace in setting these timeless words about Light. The five movements—Introitus, In te Domini speravi, O nata lux, Veni Sancte Spiritus, and Agnus Dei— form a cohesive arc. Unlike the dramatic or fearful aspects often associated with the Requiem tradition, Lauridsen focuses on serenity, compassion, and transcendence.
Musically, Lux Aeterna is characterized by Lauridsen’s signature harmonic language. Sonorities are lush and radiant, centered around what is famously known as the “Lauridsen chord,” a luminous first-inversion chord with an added 2nd. Many of his works are fashioned around this singular sonority, while enriched with modal inflections and extended chords. The choral writing is fluid and expressive, mirroring the ebb and flow of medieval chants.
The third movement, O nata lux, stands as the spiritual and structural heart of the piece. Jesus Christ is present at this center, “born light of light,” who willingly took on human flesh to experience our mortality, and become the redeemer of all who are lost. Jesus understands those who mourn, and radiates the eternal light of heaven to all believers.
Robert Nathaniel Dett is a celebrated composer, best known for his concert settings of the African-American spiritual. Dett received a substantial music education, beginning at Oberlin Conservatory, where he made history as the first person of African descent to graduate with a double major in piano and composition. He later earned a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. In The Chariot Jubilee, his treatment of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” moves far beyond a simple harmonization. He develops the tune through a diverse range of textures, dynamic contrasts, and imaginative rhythmic treatments. Syncopated rhythms, call-andresponse motifs, and layered vocal entrances evoke the traditions of the traditional spiritual, resulting in a fresh and expressive interpretation.
At its core, The Chariot Jubilee conveys themes of hope and deliverance. The “chariot” symbolizes liberation and divine promises. It presents an image that held profound meaning within the historical context of enslaved African Americans, and continues to resonate spiritually and culturally. We’re grateful that this incredible work has experienced a revival in the past five years, thanks to the efforts of choral conductor Jason Max Ferdinand. While The Chariot Jubilee was popular during Dett’s lifetime, it became largely forgotten after his death. However, it’s now gaining renewed appreciation with performances across the globe.
Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs celebrates the richness of American heritage by drawing on folk tunes, children’s songs, spirituals, and minstrel melodies. These song arrangements, originally for voice and piano, have become staples of both vocal and choral repertoires. Copland’s genius lies in his ability to preserve the authenticity and directness of these traditional melodies, while infusing them with his unmistakable voice. His harmonies are open and spacious, often based on intervals of fourths and fifths, creating a “wide-open” sound reminiscent of the American landscape.
The first set includes The Boatmen’s Dance, The Dodger, Long Time Ago, Simple Gifts, and I Bought Me a Cat. The songs range from lively and upbeat to tender and even satirical. For instance, The Dodger offers witty political commentary that remains surprisingly relevant, while I Bought Me a Cat is uniquely humorous. The second set consists of The Little Horses, Zion’s Walls, The Golden Willow Tree (not performed tonight), At the River, and Ching-a Ring Chaw. They continue this exploration with the gentle lullaby of The Little Horses, the American folk hymns Zion’s Walls and At the River, and the exuberant Ching-a-Ring Chaw.
To conclude our concert, we’ll finish with another renowned work by Aaron Copland, “The Promise of Living” from his opera The Tender Land. The text emphasizes unity, shared labor, and hope for the future, stating, “The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving is born of our loving our friends and our labor.” We hope our concert today leaves you with a sense of hope, assurance, gladness, and delight. Enjoy!
- MICHAEL BUSCH
MUSICIANS
Soprano
Mia Grund
Amy Held
Ashley Kosonen
Nicole Kramer
Emma Martinez
Rebekah Michel
Chloe Miller
Sarah Motozaki
Lindsay O’Leary
Anna Schatte
Sofia Schrader
Hannah Springer
Cassady Woolley
Soprano
Chihiro Ando
Liz Archer
Nancy Barnes
Yuri Bast
Denise Boyd
Amanda Chiang
Ellia Chiou
Pinky Clark
Mary Dahlia
Paulette Dunn
Hannah Dunning
Lisa Frank
Faith Fong
May Geng
Donna Hyde
Wendy Isbell
Susan Jacobs
Jennifer Pipp
Holly Roehl
Jody Sadeghipour
Sue Snyder
Pamela Stephens
May Lee Tong
Emily Valenzuela
Molly Wessler
Lily Wu
Marie Yang
The Concordia Choir
Dr. Michael Busch, conductor Dr. HyeJung Shin, pianist
Alto
Camille Beeson
Genesa Davies
Jillian Endicott
Presley Ferman
Kailan Foster
Emma James
Clara John
Gracie Leininger
Amanda McLauchlan
Mianna Robinson
Joy Saati
Olivia Thoelke
Emma Williamson
Tenor
Jason Barber
Jason Coulter
Blake Crabtree
Joshua Harris
Aleksander Kulapin
Nathan Larson
Miles O’Campo
Anthony Reynafarje
Isaac Stults
Aaron Thomas
Gavin Walgate
Concordia Master Chorale
Dr. Michael Busch, conductor Dr. HyeJung Shin, pianist
Alto
Ann Ashmon
Shanda Beltran
Marcia Biang
Joanne Bush
Ana Carvalho
Gretchen Ely
Gisele Grabowsky
Christine Hankins
Bonnie Hicks
Vicki Hood
Nancy Jeu
Ruth Kim
Gwen Larsen
Angie Lee
Sandee Mann
Katelin Nordseth
Kathryn Packham
Karyn Rashoff
Cecilia Salisbury
Lahoma Schulze
Susan Shelton
Debbie Tracy
Barbara Tucker
Donna Zaferson
Bass
Adam Dif
Noah Gonzales
Aidan Haupt
Andrew Held
Philip Held
Corey Luedemann
James Luther
Ryker Norwood
Luke Pimentel
Ethan Shook
Paul Symank
Jayden Torgerson
Brandon Truong
Tenor
Paul Behnke
Chuck Maggs
Timmy Maggs
Mitchell Piantanida
Andres Valenzuela
Bruce Van Patten
Caleb Vaughan
John Wilson
Bass
Kirk Butz
Stephen Canfield
Cary Evans
Peter Fyfe
Jim Gustafson
Michael Jacobs
Jordan Kirby
James Klinger
Richard Morey
Ethan Schneider
Jim Schulze
Don Sewell
Violin 1
Elizabeth Johnson * ***
Mei Chang
Gerardo B. Hilera
Halina McAlpine
Grace Lindsay **
Oliver DiMartino **
Violin 2
Sam Yoon *
Katherine Cash
Robin Cecil
Macie Sweeney-Slick
Daniel Laguilles **
Viola
Matt Nabours *
Jared Turner ***
Julie Metz
Elizabeth Bennett **
Laura Raitt **
Cello
Yue Tang * ***
Gregory Adamson
Lyubov Solovyova
Martha Lippi
Bass
Tim Jensen *
Chris Hornung ***
MasterWorks Orchestra
Flute
Kathleen Dyer
Oboe
Siri Lyon ***
Clarinet
Margaret Worsley *
Michael Miller **
Bassoon
Avery Smith ***
Horn
Erika Wilsen * ***
Linda Duffin
Trumpet
Chris Eble
Trombone
Wendell Kelly ***
Harp
Gretchen Kirby ***
Piano
HyeJung Shin ***
* Principal ** Concordia Resident Performing Artist *** Concordia Studio Faculty
ORSON VAN GAY II, TENOR
Orson Van Gay II has captivated audiences in classical and contemporary opera and concert performances with his charisma and “fine heroic tenor” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Van Gay has garnered acclaim for roles in his home of Southern California and across the United States, with Broadway World declaring, “his sound was fluent and his high notes golden,” and Voix des Arts stating, “The vitality of his work was gratifyingly unflappable.” In November of 2023, Van Gay self-released his first solo album, Colors of a Lyric, with pianist Lenny Hayes.
In March 2026, Van Gay joined Lyric Opera of Orange County and Assyrian Arts Institute as Enlil, God of Storms, in the world premiere of Gilgamesh, a new work by Derrick Skye.
Recently, Van Gay made his debut in the title role of Faust with Heartbeat Opera in New York City, performed the role of Rennucio in Gianni Schicchi with Opera Idaho, and made his Jazz at Lincoln Center debut with MasterVoices under the baton of Ted Sperling in Blind Injustice, reprising the role of Laurese Glover. The new work about people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes and later freed received great acclaim, with New York Classical Review calling Van Gay’s aria “showstopping.” Van Gay also joins the Virginia Symphony as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah and the San Bernardino Symphony as the tenor soloist in a program of Carmen and Daughter of the Regiment excerpts in concert. Van Gay will return to Pocket Opera in 2026 to sing the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale.
Van Gay’s recent operatic roles have included Danilo in The Merry Widow, for which he earned Pocket Opera’s inaugural Hurst Artist of the Year Award in 2022; Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore with the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice; Alfredo in La Traviata with Piedmont Opera; the title role of Candide with Angels Vocal Art; and both The Athlete in I Can’t Breathe and Rodolfo in La Bohème with Pacific Opera Project. A frequent performer with Long Beach Opera, Van Gay has been seen as Vitaliano in Handel’s Giustino, Gérard in Les Enfants Terribles, and Raymond Santana in Anthony Davis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Five, a role he premiered with the same company in 2019.
Van Gay often performs with the Los Angeles Opera, most recently as The Messenger in Il Trovatore and as Ramerrez in The Prospector. He debuted the role of Bernard Curson in the world premiere of Figaro 90210!, and has sung in the company’s “Connects,” “City of Hope,” and “I AM LA” series. Other concert highlights include singing as a soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the California Philharmonic Orchestra and performing with Wang Wei at Carnegie Hall.
In addition to his operatic résumé, Van Gay has enjoyed success as an actor in several nationally recognized television series, including Disney’s Coop & Cami Ask the World. Van Gay holds a bachelor’s degree in science and vocal performance from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
MICHAEL BUSCH, CONDUCTOR
Dr. Michael Busch, a professor of music at Concordia University Irvine, serves as the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities. His teaching responsibilities include the areas of conducting, music theory, and choral music. Dr. Busch’s work with the Concordia Choir and the Concordia Master Chorale has been showcased in an acclaimed concert series at the Concordia Center for Worship and Performing Arts. Over the past three decades, he has delighted in being the Artistic Director of the Concordia Christmas Concerts. Additionally, his choirs are featured in Concordia’s PBS Christmas specials broadcast nationwide.
Dr. Busch has led the Concordia Choir on concert ministry tours throughout the United States, South America, and Europe. These tours have taken them to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Notable highlights include performances at the iconic Berliner Dom and Wittenberg Castle Church during the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The choir has also sung Mass and performed concerts in the historic cathedrals of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Last year, they collaborated with the Concordia Symphony Orchestra in the concert halls of Japan and South Korea. Concordia is set to make its Carnegie Hall debut this May.
Dr. Busch earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the literature and performance of choral music from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his Master of Arts degree in choral conducting and organ performance from San Jose State University. His musical journey has been shaped by his studies with renowned conductors and teachers, including Charlene Archibeque, Lynn Whitten, Alan Luhring, and Roger Nyquist. Before joining Concordia, Dr. Busch had a diverse teaching career, instructing choral music at every grade level and leading large choral and orchestral music ministry programs in California and Colorado. His greatest joy lies in sharing his passion for music and mentoring aspiring music educators and church musicians.
At Concordia, Dr. Busch introduced the MasterWorks Concert Series, an annual event that showcases major choral works performed by professional orchestras. Under his baton, these concerts have featured a wide range of renowned compositions, including the Bach St. John Passion, Mendelssohn Elijah, Bach Mass in B Minor, Mozart Grand Mass in C Minor, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Poulenc Gloria, Honegger King David, Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Bach Magnificat, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Mendelssohn St. Paul, Bach cantatas, Vaughan Williams Dona nobis pacem, Duruflé Requiem, Schoenberg Survivor of Warsaw, and the Bach St. Matthew Passion. This year’s MasterWorks Concert commemorates America250, with an All-American cast of composers, including the Lux Aeterna of Morten Lauridsen, The Chariot Jubilee of R. Nathaniel Dett, and Old American Songs of Aaron Copland.
In addition to his duties at Concordia, Dr. Busch is actively involved as a guest conductor, choral adjudicator, and workshop leader. He has forty years of service in the church and is rostered as a DPM for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod. Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles and presented at conferences for the ACDA, ALCM, and Chorister’s Guild. Currently, Dr. Busch serves as the Director of Classic Worship at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, where he leads their choral-orchestral music ministry. He is the proud father of three sons and is happily married to his bride of forty years.
MUSIC PATRONS
VIRTUOSO’S CIRCLE
($10,000-$49,999)
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan K. Bartels
Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Biang
Mark & Lauri Howell*
Mrs. Conya Pembroke
Dr. & Mrs. Carl Weinert, Jr.
BENEFACTOR’S CIRCLE
($5,000 - $9,999)
Drs. Stephen & Jacqueline Brown
Forum of Church Business Leaders Inc.*
Mr. Thomas, M.A. ’90 & Mrs. Helga Butz
Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Davis
Mr. Ryan ’97 & Mrs. Lyndsay Ermeling ’96
Mr. & Mrs. William J. Heide
H.E. Durbin ’93 Family
Ms. Joycelyn Fawaz
Immanuel Lutheran Church – Riverside, CA
Mr. Benjamin Johnson*
Mr. & Mrs. Craig W. Olson
Olson Family Foundation – Orange, CA
Mr. Stephan Schliebe
Mrs. Mary K. Schlueter
Mr. & Mrs. David Siebert
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Larry Stoterau*
MAESTRO’S CIRCLE
($2,500 - $4,999)
Dr. Marina A. Ball*
David & Alicia Bogardus
Bruce & Debbie Dannemeyer*
Mr. & Mrs. Craig Endo*
Dr. Jeff & Mrs. Holly Held*
Rev. Dr. Ronald & Ruth Kusel
Paul Multari & Lynn Gardner
Mr. Paul R. Prentice
Steve & Diane Sonnenberg
Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Symank*
LOYALTY CIRCLE
($1,000 - $2,499)
Drs. Bethany & Craig Adams*
Dr. Marian Baden
Mrs. Yoko Boucher
Dr. Michael & Mrs. Michele Busch*
Mrs. Marilyn Dow Byrne
Mr. & Mrs. Paul Crabtree
Mr. Neal DeLoye
First Lutheran Church – Venice, CA
Peter & Kitty Fyfe
Mr. & Mrs. Dale Gerling
Mr. Tim & Mrs. Susan Guebert
Mr. Nicholas ’03 & Mrs. Genevieve Hanson ’00
Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Hill*
Susan & Mark Hirzel
Mr. & Mrs. Harold M. Hoch*
Mrs. Barbara Hochgesang
Dr. & Mrs. Avak Howsepian
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Keller
Mr. & Mrs. James Klingler
Wanda Lahn
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ludwig
Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Malzahn*
Pat & Chris Olsen
Mrs. Helena Ralph
Mrs. Joanne Roeder, MAED ’91
Mr. Scott & Mrs. Robin Ertman Scott ’82
Dr. Peter & Mrs. Kathryn Senkbeil
St. John’s Lutheran Church – Orange, CA
DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE
($500 - $999)
American Orff-Schulwerk Association
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Blake*
Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Chin*
The Rev. Dr. Bruce & Judy Hartung
Mr. Stan Jantz
Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Martinez*
Mr. Eric ’92 & Mrs. Tamara O’Leary*
Mr. Andrew ’10 & Mrs. Tanya Parker
Paul & Kristen Schmidt
Jim & Lahoma Schulze*
Dr. Daniel, MBA ’03 & Dr. Mary Scott
Rev. Phillip & Mrs. Mary Sipes*
St. Paul Lutheran Church – Columbus, IN
Dr. Bret & Mrs. Myra Taylor
Mr. & Mrs. Lothar Thoelke*
Dr. Michael & Kim Thomas
AMBASSADOR’S CIRCLE
($250 - $499)
Dexter Music
Mrs. Dorothy M. Ahlers
Rev. Dr. Scott & Mrs. Ann Ashmon
Ms. Judi Bailey
Dr. & Mrs. Curt W. Cattau
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Charles*
Ms. Marilyn Ciborski
Rev. & Mrs. Robert A. Dargatz*
Mr. Edward & Dr. Eveline Eng
Ms. Maria M. Grieve
Mr. Jarod P. Grudem*
Dr. & Mrs. Christian Hauser
Mrs. Jeanne Held*
Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan D. Held
Dr. Michelle C.L. Hoff ’20
Don & Cherie Hugo*
Ms. Elizabeth M. Johnson*
Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Lange
Mr. & Mrs. Simon Liao*
Ms. Joan E. Lilley, MA ’91
Mr. Clyde & Mrs. Sandee Mann
Rorik & Julie Melberg*
Mr. Paul & Mrs. Carla Purcell
Ms. Bernardine Rothlisberg
Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Robb
Mr. James† & Mrs. Grace Saldaña
Mr. & Mrs. James D. Sheetz
Rev. Mark, MAEd ’94, MA ’11 & Mrs. Laura Siegert ’92, MAEd ’01*
St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Orange, CA
Ms. Laura Stoi*
Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Virus*
Mr. & Mrs. Carl M. Warvarovsky
Mr. & Mrs. James G. Wernz
Mr. Byron Yakimow
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Anaheim
PARTNER’S CIRCLE
($100 - $249)
Rev. & Mrs. Richard C. Allsing
Ms. Alice Beltran*
Mr. Steve ’98 & Mrs. Christine Bishop ’96
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. David Block
Mr. & Mrs. Dale Brant*
Ms. Diana Brown
Ms. Lenora Burkett*
Mr. David Ross Chason
Mr. Chiifa & Mrs. Ellia Chiou*
Mr. Chu & Ms. Liu
Mr. Bradley & Mrs. Paula E. Cleland AA ’80*
Mr. William ’05 & Mrs. Terry Cottle
Mr. Lawrence ’88 & Mrs. Mary Dahlia ’92
Mrs. Kristine L. Dassero, M.A. Ed ’09
Mr. & Mrs. John E. Dennis
Mr. Erik ’15 & Mrs. Katelyn Der ’15*
Ms. Marilyn K. Dielmann
Mr. & Mrs. Austin Eaton
Mr. & Mrs. Donald Eberhardt
Mr. & Mrs. Steven Endicott
Mrs. Edith J. English
Mr. & Mrs. Bill Even
Rev. & Mrs. Stephan Gaulke*
Mr. George, M.A. ’93 & Mrs. Ellen Geisler
Pastor & Mrs. Sam Grayl*
Mrs. Patricia Guerra
Ms. Sharon R. Guilliams
Mr. Gary & Mrs. Krista Harris ’95
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Robert Holst
Dr. Lori, MAEd ’95 & Mr. Timothy Jaeger, LMC ’87
Ms. Suzanne Johnson*
Yang Sook Kang
Ms. Sandy Kasaty*
Mr. Taylour & Mrs. Arianna Keyser ’19
Dennis & Arlene Klein
Mrs. Virginia A. LaBahn*
Mr. Tim Lafazia*
Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leslie*
Mr. Alvin, MA ’91 & Mrs. Martha Ludtke
Mr. Bart & Mrs. Sheri Luedemann, MAEd ’11
Charles & Jill Maggs
Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Mangels
Mr. & Mrs. David Manske
Mr. & Mrs. David Martin
Mr. Jose M. Martinez*
Ms. Pamela Martinez*
Ms. Robin McCauley*
Mr. & Mrs. Raymond McQuiston*
Del & Linda Meyer
Rev. & Mrs. Thomas F. Meyer
Ms. Linda Minde
Mr. Michael & Mrs. Katie Montgomery ’03, MEd ’06
Dr. Tom & Mrs. Kristina Mueller*
Ms. Amanda Pflueger*
Ms. Carol Pickford
Dr. John ’90 & Mrs. Kimberly Randall ’90, MAEd ’10*
Mrs. Sharon Rasmussen
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Rogers
Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ross
Kathryn G. Rowley, Ph.D.
Mr. Peter Sanders*
Mr. & Mrs. William Schatte*
Mr. & Mrs. Dan Schield
Mr. Kristopher ’94 & Mrs. Christine Schneider ’93*
Ms. Beverly Schulte*
Mr. & Mrs. Donald H. Schulteis
Dr. Michael ’95, MAEd ’98 & Dr. Melinda Schulteis ’95
Ms. Charlotte Schultz
Ms. Diane Scriven
Ms. Norma Sernka
Mr. & Mrs. William F. Sparks, Jr.
Joseph & Karen Strubbe*
Mr. John Symank*
Ms. Cynthia S. Taylor
Mr. & Mrs. John Thoelke*
Ms. Elizabeth Thomas, MAEd ’19
Mr. John Tysor
Mr. Dennis & Mrs. Lisa Vogt
Dr. Catherine Webb
Mr. & Mrs. Edward Werner
Mr. Stephen White*
Mr. John ’04 & Mrs. Naomi Will ’06
Dr. Erika Wilsen*
Mr. William F. Wrede
Ms. Cindy Yik-Cheung ’90
Steve & Victoria Young
Mrs. Sally von Zirngibl
FRIEND’S CIRCLE
($25 - $99)
Mr. & Mrs. Philip Amt
Mr. Feloniz Anderson
Ms. Nesa Anderson
Ms. Karen L. Andresen
Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Bailey
Mr. Stevie Berryman
Ms. Carol Ann Brogan*
Mr. Charles & Mrs. Luanne Brower ’95
Mr. Kevin Cavanaugh*
Mr. & Mrs. Y Chae
Mr. Jim Chang*
Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chastain*
Mr. Gary Couch
Rev. Christopher ’00 & Mrs. Megan Crume*
Mr. David Davenport
Ms. Su Davis
Ms. Kate Dickinson
Mr. & Mrs. Roland H. Dowling
Ms. Julie Draper
Ms. Cindi Edson
Ms. Marjorie Eide
Ms. Mary E. Elvick
Ms. Eden Escobedo
Rev. & Mrs. Robert Fickenscher
Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Michael E. Gibson*
Mr. Brian & Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, MA ’20
Ms. Dana M. Gythiel
Ms. Lydia Hernandez
Ms. Bonnie Hicks ’98*
Ms. Helen Jacobson ’97
Mr. & Mrs. Felipe De Jesus Tirzo Leocadio*
Benjamin & Sunny Leos
Mrs. Kristen ’17 & Mr. Richard Lewis ’18
Mr. & Mrs. John W. Lichtsinn
Mr. Timothy Maggs*
Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Martin
Ms. Kendra McLaughlin
Ms. Mary Meyer*
Ms. Nancy Pace
Mr. & Mrs. Todd Peapenburg
Mr. Kemricky Philossaint
Ms. Myrna C. Radl, PhD
Ms. Elizabeth Ramsey
Ms. Holly L. Roehl ’21, MEd ’22
Ms. Fran Sanders
Mr. Adam C. Sharpe ’16
Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Smith
Ms. Sheilah Svennungsen Gall
Ms. Martha L. Toft
Mr. Jeremy ’00 & Dr. Kerri Tom*
Ms. Ivonne Torres, MAEd ’18
Mr. Daniel D. Ujifusa ’23
Ms. Elizabeth Vega
Ms. Patricia A. Weber
Ms. Yufei J. Wenslaff ’24
Mr. Derek ’91 & Mrs. Natsuko Whelply ’91
Mr. Christian White*
To give a gift online, visit us at CUI.EDU/GIVING
* USA250 Patrons † Deceased
As of 3-27-2026
USA 250 Music Festival
Tuesday, May 5 - Sunday, May 10, 2026
New York City
Christian Guebert ’10, composer
The Concordia Choir
Concert Handbells
Concordia Sinfonietta
Concordia Brass
Scan the QR code to visit Concordia’s Giving page
Concordia University Irvine’s musicians take the stage at one of the world’s most iconic concert venues, Carnegie Hall. The concert features Inscriptions, a major work by alumnus Christian Guebert for large chorus, handbells, chamber orchestra, and balcony brass. It will also feature numerous American works as the grand finale of Concordia’s USA250 Festival! While on the road, our ensembles will perform in historic Manhattan churches and Central Park, bringing music and community to the heart of New York City.
Travel alongside our musicians as they take the stage for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, or give a gift today to help send our students to New York. Learn more at cui.edu/NYC.
Visit Concordia University Irvine's Music Wing
The Borland-Manske Center
Concordia University Irvine is home to one of the premium music learning centers in Southern California. Our friendly culture is joined by high standards of excellence, led by faculty whose primary interest is the growth of each student. Significant faculty and peer interactions are maximized through the design of the newly-opened Borland-Manske Center, where they gather daily in a shared pursuit of great musicianship and ministry.
The Borland-Manske Center includes over 50 rooms designed specifically for musicmaking and teaching, including the Charlie and Ling Zhang Orchestra Hall, the Caryn Borland '85 Recording Suite, the Henley Piano Studio, a large choral rehearsal hall, teaching studios, practice rooms, faculty offices, a music classroom, music office, ensemble music library, and student lounges. Walters-Storyk Design Group did the acoustic design, including the recording studio, designed by the world's foremost designer of audio studios, John Storyk.
OUR MISSION
Concordia University Irvine, a comprehensive Lutheran Christian university guided by Christ’s Great Commission, develops wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens to serve society and the church.