MUSIC MUSIC MUSIC
DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT DEPARTMENT
NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER NEWSLETTER
FALL 2024 FALL 2024 FALL 2024
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEPARTMENT CHAIR
Dear Newsletter Readers,
Welcome our latest issue! Fall 2024 has been another exciting, invigorating, and impactful semester for our department and our students. We started the school year with a highly talented group of new students, the largest first-year cohort of music majors in over a decade!
Our students, faculty, and staff have been up to many things this fall – composing, studying, practicing, and performing an increasingly varied, distinctly relevant, and always high quality array of musical topics, ideas, and repertoire. In September, we celebrated Homecoming and the 125th Anniversary of the Concordia Band In October, the Concordia Orchestra embarked on a weeklong tour to Memphis, Tennessee In November, we held the 18th annual PRISM concert, and at the beginning of December, the choirs and orchestra performed the 98th annual Concordia Christmas Concerts to ever-larger audiences in Moorhead and Minneapolis.
Looking ahead, this winter and spring will feature the premiere performances of a brand new opera, the Concordia Band’s tour of Minnesota, the Concordia Choir’s tour to the Southeast, the annual Circuit 721 electronic music composition performance on January 19 at 7:00 pm, and many other performances and events We invite you to view events listings and tune in to live and recorded performances via our UStream page linked from https://www.concordiacollege.edu/music/performances-and-events/
Concordia’s Music Department continues its commitment to influencing the affairs of the world, representing what is happening around us through music, and offering solace, inspiration, and artistic reflection for our students and members of our community. We aim to include everyone, uplift underrepresented voices, explore unfamiliar musics with humility and curiosity, and broaden the range of musical expressions available to students, all while sustaining a commitment to upholding the most enduring aspects of past and present musical traditions around the world
Please keep in touch! Let us know what you are up to, musically and otherwise. Feel free to share this newsletter with others who may enjoy it.
-Dr. Nat Dickey, Music Department Chair
edited by J. Curtis Thompson
HOMECOMING 2024 HOMECOMING 2024
The 2024 Concordia College Homecoming Concert, held on Saturday, September 28, in Memorial Auditorium, showcased the college's premier musical ensembles, including The Concordia Choir, The Concordia Orchestra, and The Concordia Band This annual event celebrated the college's rich musical heritage and provided an opportunity for alumni and current students to unite through performance.
This year's concert held special significance as it marked the 125th anniversary of The Concordia Band, the college's oldest ensemble, founded in 1899. To commemorate this milestone, an Alumni Band was formed, featuring past members of the band program. Over 250 alumni participated in rehearsals on Friday and Saturday, led by current conductor Dr. Peter J. Haberman and former directors Dr Scott Jones, Professor Scott Hagen, and Dr Russ Pesola The Alumni Band performed alongside current students during the Homecoming Concert, symbolizing the enduring legacy of The Concordia Band.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE HOMECOMING CONCERT
PRISM PRISM
The 2024 Concordia College PRISM concert was held on Sunday, November 17, in Memorial Auditorium
The concert features various ensembles from the Concordia music program, including concert bands, choirs, jazz bands, and chamber ensembles The performance is continuous, with each ensemble performing seamlessly one after another, often in different parts of the concert hall to create a surround-sound effect.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH PRISM
GONE 2024 CO ORCHEST
By: Denise Marsh (‘26)
Hello Cobber Nation! In the great fall of 2024 The Concordia Orchestra set trail for tour in Memphis, Tennessee, and let’s just say it was, “off the hoo.”Get it? Gone Fishing? Haha. Terrible jokes aside, this was a monumental week for the orchestra. Not only did we have the privilege of playing in many amazing venues (see right), but we also spent time with young musicians, performed historically informed pieces, learned important information about the history of our nation at the National Civil Rights Museum, and made lasting memories.
The “Spots” & Highlights of Memphis
In no particular order
Our Venues
A brief overview
Detroit Lakes, Minnesota: October 25th at the Historic Holmes Theatre. Germantown, Tennessee October 27th at St. George's Episcopal Church
Memphis, Tennessee: October 29 at Crosstown Concourse Central Atrium
- The Memphis McDonald’s (specifically using the drive-thru window)
- The Crosstown Concourse Listening Lab
- The Crosstown Concourse Stairwell
- BB King’s Restaurant on Beale Street
- The Memphis Bus Tour Route (a personal favorite of mine)
- The National Civil Rights Museum
November 1st at the Scheidt Family Performance Arts Center, University of Memphis November 3rd, Memorial Auditorium (home!) CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE PERFORMANCE
Memphis is the farthest distance the Concordia Orchestra has traveled, at a whopping 1,504 miles!
2024 ORCHESTRA TOUR PHOTOS
NATS NATS
OnNovember1stand2nd,twenty-oneConcordiatrainedsingerscompetedintheMinnesota NationalAssociationofTeachersofSingingcompetitionatBethelUniversityinSt.Paul,MN.Of thosetwenty-onesingers,twelveadvancedtothesemifinals,andelevenadvancedtothe finals(thereweremultiplesingerswhoadvanceddirectlythefinalsfromthefirstround).
We’dliketorecognizetheoutstandingworkofStephenSulich,SueNagel,andAndrew Steinbergfortheirdedicationinpreparingandcoachingthestudentsforthecompetition. Withouttherepatience,mentorship,andbeautifulplaying,noneofthiswouldbepossible. Thankyouforhelpinggiveourstudentsthisopportunity!
FINALISTS
FreshmantrebleSophieKellar,2ndPlace
SophomoreTrebleTabbyPoppe,1stPlace
SophomoreTBAidanAnderson,2ndPlace
JacobSchlueter,3rdPlace
JuniorTrebleGracieFink,3rdPlace
JuniorTBHenrySipples,3rdPlace
SeniorTrebleSveaHagen,3rdPlace
SeniorTBParkerDegerness,1stPlace
AdvancedTrebleTeaganCoyer,2ndPlace
AdvancedTBWillJacobson,1stPlace
SEMIFINALISTS
FreshmanTrebleSophiaKellar
FreshmanTBIsaacNelson
LeviVanHeel
SophomoreTrebleTabbyPoppe
SophomoreTBAidanAnderson
HankBell
JacobSchlueter
JuniorTBHenrySipples
JacobPenny
JuniorTrebleGracieFink
SeniorTrebleSveaHagen
GretaJohnson
FacultyNews FacultyNews
UponinvitationbytheSaintLouisArtMuseum,Dr.AnnettRichter isexcitedtocreateanaudioguideforthepaintingTheJolly FlatboatmeninPort(1857)byMissouripainterGeorgeCaleb Bingham(1811-1879).AnimageinSLAM’scollection,thispictureis oneinagroupofthreebythisartistthatdepictmusicand danceattheAmericanfrontier.
Dr.Richter’sbookreviewofmusicologistOliviaMattis’sexhibition catalogGeorgeGershwinandModernArt:ARhapsodyinBlueis forthcominginthescholarlyjournalNotesinMarch2025,and herin-depthinterviewwithAustralianclassicalguitarist StephanieJoneswillbepublishedintheGuitarFoundationof America’spublicationSoundboardMagazineinSpring2025.Dr. RichterreceivedtheConcordiaCollegeMentoroftheYear Awardin2024.
2025 SPRING TOURS 2025 SPRING TOURS
Band Tour Dates
Sun.2/2
Mon.2/3
Wed.2/5
Thu. 2/6
Fri. 2/7
Sun. 2/9
–BrauPerformingArtsCenter,Willmar,MN
–CharlesD.MartinAuditorium,LittleFalls,MN
-St Michael-AlbertvilleHighSchoolPerformingArtsCenter,St Michael,MN
–St.PaulCentralhighSchoolAuditorium,St.Paul,MN
–WBLAHSPerformingArtsCenter,WhiteBearLake,MN
–MemorialAuditorium,Moorhead,MN
@concordiaband
/concordiaband
Choir Tour Dates
Sat.2/22
Sun.2/23
Sat.3/1
Sun.3/2
Mon.3/3
Tue. 3/4
–SiouxFalls,SD
–MapleGrove,MN
–Rochester,MN
–Charlotte,NC
–Roanoke,VA
–Spartanburg,SC
Wed.3/5 Thu.3/6 Fri.3/7 Sat.3/8 Sun.3/9 Tue.3/11
–Wilmington,NC –Columbia,SC
–JacksonvilleBeach,FL –Largo,FL
–Naples,FL
–Orlando,FL
Wed.3/12
–Gainesville,FL
Thu.3/13 Fri.3/14 Sat.3/15 Sun.3/16
–Atlanta,GA
–Nashville,TN
–Stillwater,MN
–Moorhead,MN
@concordiachoir /concordiachoir /theconcordiachoir
Jazz Band and Vocal Jazz
–Crooner’sSupperClub, Minneapolis,MN Fri.3/28
Click here for Crooner’s website
FALL 2024 RECITALS
Voz y Guitarra: Music of Latin America
Holly Janz, Genaro Méndez, Annett Richter, J. Curtis Thompson
September 15th
“To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, Dr. Genaro Méndez, (tenor, University of KS) collaborated with Dr Holly Janz (mezzosoprano), Curtis Thompson (guitar) and Dr. Annett Richter (guitar), presenting a program of all Spanish-language, voice and guitar repertoire. Performances were given at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN as well as at the University of KS in Lawrence, KS.”
Virinca Trio, soprano, clarinet, and piano
October 1st
Michal Lang, cello, & Jeanine Barrett, piano
October 6th
Jay Hershberger, piano
October 7th
mOthertongue: Lived Experience in Asian America
Jennifer Lien, soprano, & Lina Yoo-Min Lee, piano
November 15th
“The new songs on [the] program express the joys, pains, contradictions, and pride we experience as Asians living in this land we call home. I am struck by the recurring themes that resonate across the three song cycles: colonization; cultural shame; living in between cultures; linguistic displacement; microaggression; ethnic pride To sing these truths is to find and reclaim power that has been lost somewhere along the way. ”
FACULTY&GUEST FACULTY&GUEST
SPRING 2025 RECITALS
Maisi Pedersen, voice
January 26th
Vocal Jazz Festival
February 1st featuring Matt Falker
Duo VibraCor, guitar and vibraphone
February 18th
Duo VibraCor [was] created to spread Brazilian and Latin American music in an unconventional instrumentation, performing both adaptations for guitar and vibraphone, as well as new works written for the duo.
Among the works that are part of the duo's repertoire are the Tango Suite by Astor Piazzolla, Three Brazilians Scenes by Sergio Assad, Groove Arrastado by Alexandre Espinheira, Senhorinha and Baião de Lacan by Guinga.
Lexi Broulliard, flute
March 23rd
SALT: “Mosaics of Our Mothers”
March 27th
"AMosaicofMothers"isaconcert featuringnewmicro-operas,choralworks, andapianosolo,inspiredbythememoirs ofwomenconnectedtotheSALTquintet. Theperformanceexploresthemesof motherhood,strength,andendurance, offeringauniquemusicalperspectiveon thepersonalhistoriesofthesepioneering women.Throughmusicanddrama,it highlightstheresilience,sacrifice,and complexityoffamilylife,celebratingthe enduringpowerofwomen’sstories.
Percussion Day: Twincussion
April 12th Click
by Erika Knapp (‘28)
Overall
The 2024 Concordia Christmas Concert follows the story of Simeon: a man that God had made a covenant with, promising him that he would not die before he saw the face of Christ. This story is highlighted in the song “Nunc Dimittis” or “Song of Simeon.”
With comments from the audience like “It was one of the best Concordia Christmas Concerts I’ve seen,” and “It was perfect,” it’s safe to say this years’ concerts were successful This year has been the highest number of ticket sales in years at both Moorhead and Orchestra Hall concert locations
The choirs and orchestra all worked diligently on their individual and collective songs, and the work paid off Thank you to everyone that contributed to the 2024 Concordia Christmas Concert for making it possible!
The Audiences Favorite Songs
Silent Night...................................................................arr. René Clausen Go Tell it On the Mountain arr Evelyn Simpson-Curenton Ave Generosa Ola Gjeilo
Oba Ti De Jeffery Ames Sanctus (from Requiem) Heather Sorenson O Radiant Dawn James MacMillan Kling, no klokka! (Chime the bells!) arr Matthew Culloton When Clarions Sound Mack Wilberg
Hello! I am Erika Knapp, a freshman vocal music education major, and an alto two in Kantorei. While this is the first Concordia Christmas Concert I performed in, I have attended the last two concerts.
The Concordia Christmas Concert has been a fantastic experience to be a part of. While it is a daunting task to memorize many new songs, it is so fun getting to perform in front of an audience that enjoys seeing the Concordia Christmas Concert year after year alongside all of the fabulous musicians involved in the concert
My favorite thing about the concert is the tradition of singing Silent Night and seeing the hard work everyone put into the concert pay off when we perform, especially in Orchestra Hall!
I am so excited to participate in the concert in the next coming years, sharing even more of the high- quality music Concordia known for performing!
Concordia Christmas Concert
The2024VirtualConcordiaChristmasConcert
Joinusforhighlightsfromtheregion’sgrandestChristmasCelebration!Featuringmorethan300 studentmusiciansacrossfourensembles,"OurEyes,atLast,ShallSeeHim"willbeavailableonline Dec.21-Jan.8.Thevirtualconcertwillbeaone-hourproductionpulledfromrecordingsofourinpersonperformancesatOrchestraHallinMinneapolisonDec.12.
ThelinktoviewtheconcertwillbesenttotheemailaddressusedforregistrationonDec.21.
Concordia College Departments of Music & Theater Present A Lyric Opera Studio Production
JonathanStinson’s
The Three Bears
This adaptation of the classic tale is a fun-filled one-act opera that is loaded with laughs. With modern twists on familiar characters, this retelling is a delight for audiences of all ages. New orchestrations will mark the work’s Minnesota premiere. Click here for ticket information
Performance Dates
February 13, 14, 15 & 16, 2025