Cantamus and Male Chorus Perform in Spring Concert
Cantamus, Concordia’s women’s choir, performs in the sanctuary of St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward. Photo courtesy of Tom German.
by Daniel Heitshusen
Two of Concordia’s choirs, Cantamus and the Male Chorus, performed a variety of sacred choral music during their spring concert at St. Gregory the Great Seminary.
On April 14, Cantamus, conducted by Professor of Music Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, and the Male Chorus, conducted by Professor Paul Soulek, performed in the chapel of the seminary.
Cantamus performed nine songs, including a new song called “Herald of Good News,” which Blersch composed in honor of the 150th anniversary of Concordia Publishing House in St. Louis. Junior Danae Welling and freshman Hope Clark performed as soloists in two songs, “I Will Be a Child of Peace,” and “This Little Light of Mine.”
The Male Chorus performed a total of five songs, including “The King of Glory Comes,” which featured an instrumental accompaniment of brass and tambourine.
“I am so proud of the work the Male Chorus has put in over the course of the semester,” Soulek said in an email interview. “I love the opportunity to perform and share our music, and I’m equally grateful for the experience of growth through the rehearsal and learning process.”
Both groups were accompanied by alumnus Austin Theriot on piano.
Cantamus and Male Chorus perform together at St. Gregory the Great Seminary in Seward, NE. Photo courtesy of Tom German.
Blersch expressed gratitude and excitement to have been able to hold a choral concert at St. Gregory again for the first time in several years.
“We love the opportunity to perform in their chapel because it is a stunning place for choral music,” Blersch said in an email interview. “The acoustic is live and very warm, yet very clear, and it’s wonderful for the students and for the community to be able to experience that. We’re always blessed by the hospitality of the faculty and students at St. Gregory and are thankful for their partnership in the Gospel.”
Blersch also said he is proud of how the choirs performed.
“I was really proud of the students and everyone and how well they performed,” Blersch said. “This is the third concert in a month that we (Cantamus) did, and that gives a chance to do the pieces multiple times…It’s really gratifying to watch the development happen from performance to performance.”
Cantamus performed first, followed by Men’s Choir. The last song, “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross,” was sung by both choirs and directed by Soulek while Blersch accompanied the group on organ.
