Concordia’s A Cappella Choir preaches Jesus at March concert
The A Cappella Choir performs at St. John Lutheran Church on March 22.
Photo credit: Kai Olbrich
By Kai Olbrich
Sports Editor
The Concordia University A Cappella Choir proclaimed the name of Jesus at St. John Lutheran Church on Sunday night with a diverse selection of classical and contemporary choral music.
The nearly 70-strong group, directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen, performed its set from the ensemble’s 2026 Pacific Southwest Tour, where students spent 12 days singing in various locations across the region.
The first section of the concert was titled “The Light of the World” and centered on the life of Christ from His incarnation to resurrection. The second and final section was called “The Peace of Christ” and focused on the comfort and peace Christians can have knowing Jesus Christ as their Savior.
Just before the conclusion of the concert, A Cappella alumni were invited to the front of the church to join the group in singing an adaptation of Psalm 121.
A Cappella alumni join the choir for a choral setting of Psalm 121. Photo credit: Kai Olbrich
Junior A Cappella singer Jason Church loves being surrounded by the other voices in the choir. He said he enjoys the music they sing and the quality of the work they have been producing.
“Dr. von Kampen always talks about, when we’re at our best, we’re like an eight out of 10, because nine would be perfect and 10 would be like the angel choirs in heaven,” Church said.
Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo accompanied the choir on piano for most of the performance and had a solo piece in the second section. Grimpo said she enjoys the musicianship of the group and the hard work they put in.
“I love collaborating with musicians who value technique and artistry as much as I do. The students are talented and work hard, but Dr. von Kampen is able to make them truly sound excellent. And our goal is always to honor God through our efforts,” Grimpo said.
Von Kampen enjoyed the recent tour, but he said there is nothing quite like singing at home. He said he felt like the whole crowd was behind them in a way that can’t happen in a room full of strangers. He also thought that the choir sang at a high level throughout the tour and at the evening’s event.
Von Kampen said he wants the audience to hear one name above all others at his group’s performances. “Jesus—there’s no more, there’s no less. It’s got to be about Christ,” von Kampen said. “You know, if people leave our concerts even the slightest bit confused about why we exist, then we messed up.”
