Concordia Alum to Return as Professor of Music

Headshot of Robert Cody, new assistant professor of music at CUNE

Photo from CUNE Website

Hope Nelson

Sower Staff

Concordia announced this week that alumnus Robert Cody has accepted a call to serve as an assistant professor of music beginning in Fall 2023.

Cody, who is originally from Alamosa, Colorado, graduated from CUNE in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in music education. He previously served as music director at Living Word Lutheran High School in Jackson, Wisconsin, but currently resides in Frankenmuth, Michigan, where he teaches middle school music and serves as Director of Worship Arts at St. Lorenz Lutheran Church and School.

At CUNE, Cody will direct the University Concert Band, along with teaching select music classes and directing smaller ensembles.

Cody said he and his family are “excited to be returning to Seward, while also broken-hearted to leave our friends and family in Frankenmuth.”

He said he was “humbled, honored, and absolutely ecstatic to be leading this program into the next era of instrumental music at Concordia,” especially with CUNE’s new music building – “an absolute game-changer” – in the works.

As a music professor and director, Cody hopes to help his students in more ways than just musically.

“I look forward to challenging our students to rise to their fullest potential, loving them as children of God, and helping them see what a wonderful gift we have from the Lord in music, cultivating their desires to share it their whole life long,” he said.

He is especially excited about teaching in the new music building addition. “So much time and thought went into designing that building to be exactly what we need, not only for now, but for the future too,” he said.

In anticipation of the beginning of his role as a professor at CUNE starting this fall, Cody gives current and prospective students a word of encouragement, urging them to “consider auditioning for Concert Band or joining University Band to sharpen those [musical] skills.”

“The future of music at Concordia is bright,” he said, “and we want all who wish to come with a great attitude, a servant heart, and a hard work ethic to come and be a part of it!”

The University Concert Band is looking ahead to its spring tour, which will take place in various cities in Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida from March 3-13, and to its final concert on April 29.