First Christmas at Concordia concert of 2023 begins weekend of music and festivity
Photo description: The University Wind Symphony warms up before Friday night’s concert begins.
Photo credit: Concordia photo gallery
Hope Nelson
Sower Staff
The first Christmas at Concordia program on Friday featured songs both old and new performed by choral, instrumental, and handbell ensembles in a seamless manner, finishing with an extended round of applause from hundreds of attendees.
Groups featured in this year’s Christmas at Concordia performances include:
University Wind Symphony, directed by Professor Robert Cody
Male Chorus, directed by Professor Paul Soulek
Concordia Handbell Choir, directed by Professor Jessica Kite
University A Cappella Choir, directed by Dr. Kurt von Kampen
Cantamus Women’s Choir, directed by Dr. Jeffrey Blersch
Each group listed performed two solo pieces; each choir joined with other choirs for selected hymn verses, and all five groups came together to finish the concert with a rendition of “Joy to the World” arranged by Blersch.
Other musical selections included hymns like “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” and “Lo, He Comes with Clouds Descending,” as well as other choral and instrumental selections like Stephen Paulus’ “The Holly and the Ivy” and Gustav Holst’s “In the Bleak Midwinter.”
Three additional Christmas at Concordia performances will take place at St. John Lutheran Church this weekend. These will take place on Saturday at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m.
Look for more Christmas at Concordia content in the November/December issue of the print CUNE Sower newspaper!
