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Home Arts & Culture A Cappella Choir Ventures to Texas, Louisiana, Kansas and Oklahoma

Photo courtesy of the Concordia University A Capella Choir Facebook page

The Concordia University A Cappella Choir wrapped up a 10-day tour on Sunday, March 11 after travels through Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana.

The A Cappella Choir goes on tour every other year over spring break, alternating with the Symphonic Band. This year, in their trip south, they performed 13 times in nine cities, including when they helped lead worship at their Sunday morning stops. The choir stopped in Edmond, Okla.; Spring, Houston, Austin, San Antonio, and Plano, Texas; Lake Charles, La.; and Wichita and Topeka, Kan. With long bus rides followed by intense performances, the 74 choir members also made time for fun, as they got to explore San Antonio and some of the other cities. But this was not the highlight for most of the choir. Before each performance, the choir would join together in a devotion.

“It really helped us to center ourselves and to get focused…we’re not performing just for us,” senior Ann Spilker said. “We’re performing for God’s people and to share that Gospel message.”

The tour is also a great way for former A Cappella members to see the choir once again. During the concerts, A Cappella Choir Director Dr. Kurt von Kampen asked that alumni members join the choir for one piece, “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come” by Paul Manz. This piece has been sung by the choir for many years, so various generations of choir members can join in during this piece.. At the concert in Topeka, Kan., there were more than 12 alumni members of CUNE choirs that attended and joined the choir.. Alumnus Rachel (Micheel) Goodpasture even brought along her seven-month-old daughter so she could listen to the choir for the first time.

While getting the chance to perform across the country is excellent experience for the choir, it’s also a witnessing opportunity. Their mixture of sacred and secular music allows for a wide range of songs to be presented, giving the audience a variety of ways to connect with the performance and the clear Gospel message that is shared through song.

The A Cappella Choir officially ended their tour on Sunday, March 18 with two “home” concerts. The choir performed its tour concert at both St. Aquinas Catholic Church in Lincoln and St. John Lutheran Church in Seward.

A Cappella members pose before taking the stage.
Photo courtesy of Bethany Schilling

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