Student musicians perform final concerts, recitals
Photo submitted by Kurt von Kampen
By Michaela Gibbs
This article is featured in the May print edition of the Sower newspaper.
It was a weekend of music April 17 to 19 as CUNE’s Music Department hosted concerts and recitals, including those of the University Orchestra and Wind Symphony, as well as the Chamber Recital and the Composers’ Recital, which premiered six new student compositions.
“I love getting to work with other musicians, and this semester I happened to be in a group with people I don’t get to work with very often,” sophomore Emily Castens said about the Chamber Recital. “It was fun to make those connections and work together to create music just for fun.”
The Chamber Recital is an auditioned recital held once each semester and features vocal and instrumental groups that are completely organized and run by students. This semester’s program featured performances by a chamber choral group, a string quartet and clarinet and trombone duets.
Freshman Sophia Roberts was the viola player in the string quartet. She said that the recital was a chance to perform the music she and the other musicians had been working on all semester.
Professor of Music Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo said the Chamber Recital offers students opportunities for collaboration.
“Performing on the Chamber Recital gives students the opportunity to collaborate with other student musicians. Students find music, learn their parts, rehearse together and make artistic decisions,” she said.
The University Orchestra performed Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring,” Joseph Haydn’s “Symphony No. 49” and Todd Coleman’s “Adieu.”
“Appalachian Spring” was performed by an Alumni and Friends ensemble, along with a few Concordia undergraduate students. Haydn’s symphony was performed by the University Orchestra and “Adieu” was performed by a string ensemble made up of both ensembles.
Bass player sophomore Richard Peperkorn said that the concert was a good representation of the work the ensemble and individual performers had put in over the course of the semester.
“The orchestra concert was a great final presentation of the hard work that each performer had done individually, and the hours we had spent improving together,” he said.
Sophomore Rebecca Tredray said that as an audience member, it was impressive to see how much the ensemble has grown.
“It was really inspiring to watch how much the orchestra has grown,” Tredray said. “To pull off the technicality of the Haydn symphony was truly impressive, and a testament to how much effort these performers dedicate to their craft!”
The University Wind Symphony concluded its spring 2026 tour with a home concert at St. John Lutheran Church in Seward. The tour program this year featured works based on familiar hymn tunes that point to a stable and steadfast faith. This theme relates back to Concordia’s theme verse for the 2025-2026 academic year, Colossians 1:23.
Conductor Robert Cody said that his goal for this program was to remind audiences of the foundation of their faith and to allow them to be refreshed through God’s gift of music.
“Our sincere hope is that audiences walk out of our concert and that they will be edified in their faith and refreshed in a way that only God’s creation of music is able to do,” he said.
Sophomore David Eatherton said that the home concert allows the musicians to share their music with friends and family.
“Performing with the Wind Symphony is one of my favorite parts about attending Concordia,” he said. “It is always a blessing to share our music with others, especially when we are home in Seward. It is great to look out and see so many friends and family members who come to support us.”
The weekend of music concluded with the semesterly composers’ recital. This year’s program was entitled “To the Horizon” by Dr. John Kosch, adjunct professor of music. Many of the student compositions for this recital related to stars or other celestial bodies. The program featured works for choir, strings, piano and brass.
The composers’ recital is a non-auditioned recital. Participation is required for students who are registered for composition lessons and is usually limited to those students. Kosch said that the recital is a way to celebrate the creativity and skill of student composers.
“The student recitals are a wonderful opportunity to celebrate students’ creativity, skill and individuality. Students and faculty are always incredibly supportive of the event, and I look forward to it every semester!” he said.
Senior Timothy Mars composed a hymn concertato on “Awake! My Heart with Gladness.” The piece was arranged for choir, piano, violin and cello.
“The piece I wrote for this recital is the biggest piece I’ve written, and it’s based on one of my favorite hymns,” said Mars. “It was a fun challenge, and I am so happy with the result.”
