04.18.2026 | Concordia Masterworks Program

C O N C O R D I A U N I V E R S I T Y I RV I N E

MasterWorks 2026

American Anthem: copland, dett, lauriDsen APRIL 18, 2026 | SOKA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER

Cover and Inside Photo Credit: Andy Staples

Celebrating 250 Years of America

T H E T W E N T Y- N I N T H A N N UA L

MAST E RWORKS CONCE RT SE RIE S

American Anthem: copland, dett, lauriDsen Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 3:00pm Soka Performing Arts Center

Concordia Master Chorale The Concordia Choir MasterWorks Orchestra Orson Van Gay II, tenor Michael Busch, conductor

Lux Aeterna I. Introitus II. In te, Domine, speravi III. O nata lux IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus V. Agnus Dei - Lux aeterna

Morten Lauridsen (b.1943)

The Chariot Jubilee

Robert Nathaniel Dett (1882-1943)

Intermission (20 minutes) Old American Songs from Set 1 The Boatmen’s Dance The Dodger Long Time Ago Simple Gifts I Bought Me a Cat

Aaron Copland (1900-1990)

from Set 2 The Little Horses Zion’s Walls At the River Ching-a-ring Chaw “The Promise of Living” from The Tender Land

Aaron Copland

Length of performance: Approximately one-and-three-quarter hours, including one twenty-minute intermission.

Please silence cell phones. Video and/or audio recording of this concert is not permitted.

Thank you for withholding your applause until the end of each full work.

CO NCO R DIA U NI V ERSITY IRV INE | 1

P R O G R A M Lux Aeterna

Morten Lauridsen

I. Introitus Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them.

Te decet hymnus Deus in Zion, A hymn befits thee, O God in Zion, et tibi redetur votum and to thee a vow shall be fulfilled in Jerusalem: in Jerusalem: exaudi orationem meam, Hear my prayer, ad te omnis caro veniet. for unto thee all flesh shall come.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine: Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, et lux perpetua luceat eis. and let perpetual light shine upon them.

II. In te, Domine, speravi Tu ad liberandum suscepturus hominem To deliver us, you became human, non horruisti Virginis uterum. and did not disdain the Virgin’s womb.

Tu devicto mortis aculeo, Having blunted the sting of death, You aperuisti credentibus regna coelorum. opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers.

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis.

A light has risen in the darkness for the upright.

Miserere nostri, Domine, Have mercy upon us, O Lord, miserere nostri. have mercy upon us.

Fiat misericordia tua, Domine, super nos Let thy mercy be upon us, O Lord, quemadmodum speravimus in te. as we have trusted in thee.

In te Domine, speravi: In thee, O Lord, I have trusted: non confundar in aeternum. let me never be confounded.

III. O nata lux O nata lux de lumine, Jesu redemptor saeculi, dignare clemens supplicum laudes preces que sumere.

Qui carne quondam contegi dignatus es pro perditis.

Nos membra confer effici, tui beati corporis.

O born light of light, Jesus, redeemer of the world, mercifully deem worthy and accept the praises and prayers of your supplicants.

Thou who once deigned to be clothed in flesh for the sake of the lost ones, grant us to be made members of your holy body.

IV. Veni, Sancte Spiritus Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Et emitte coelitus Lucis tuae radium.

Veni, pater pauperum, Veni, dator munerum, Veni, lumen cordium.

Come, Holy Spirit, Send forth from heaven The ray of thy light.

Come, Father of the poor, Come, giver of gifts, Come, light of hearts.

Consolator optime, Thou best of Consolers, Dulcis hospes animae, Sweet guest of the soul, Dulce refrigerium. Sweet refreshment.

In labore requies, In labor, thou art rest, In aestu temperies, In heat, the tempering, In fletu solatium.

In grief, the consolation.

2 | MA STER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

V. Agnus Dei – Lux aeterna Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis peccata mundi, who takest away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem. grant them rest.

Agnus Dei, Lamb of God, qui tollis peccata mundi, who takest away the sins of the world, dona eis requiem sempiternam. grant them rest everlasting.

Lux aeterna luceat eis, Domine: May light eternal shine upon them, O Lord, Cum sanctis tuis in aeternum: in the company of thy Saints for ever and ever; quia pius es. for thou art merciful.

Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat eis.

Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord, And let perpetual light shine upon them.

Alleluia. Amen. Alleluia. Amen.

The Chariot Jubilee

R. Nathaniel Dett

Down from the heavens, a golden chariot swinging, Comes God’s promise of salvation. Amen.

Hallelujah, hallelujah!

Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home.

God made a covenant for the glory of his grace.

God made a covenant through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

His gospel, flowing free like a chariot swung from heaven Shall bear the true believer home, safely home.

Salvation, sweet cov’nant of our Lord, I shall ride up in the chariot in that morning!

He who doth on Christ believe, Though he were dead, yet shall he live.

King Jesus triumphed o’er the grave; His grace alone can sinners save!

Swing low, sweet chariot, Coming for to carry me home!

Swing low, sweet chariot, Sweet cov’nant of God’s grace!

O hallelujah!

His gospel, flowing free like a chariot swung from heaven Shall bear the true believer home, safely home.

INTERMISSION (20 MINUTES)

CO NCO R DIA U NI V ERSITY IRV INE | 3

P R O G R A M Old American Songs

Aaron Copland

The Boatmen’s Dance High row the boatmen row, Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.

(Minstrel Song 1843)

The boatmen dance, the boatmen sing, The boatmen up to ev’rything.

And when the boatman gets on shore, He spends his cash and works for more.

Then dance the boatmen dance, O dance the boatmen dance!

O dance all night ‘til broad daylight, And go home with the gals in the mornin’.

I went on board the other day To see what the boatmen had to say.

There I let my passion loose, An’ they cram me in the calaboose.

O dance the boatmen dance…

So long as the human spirit thrives on this planet, music in some living form will accompany and sustain it and give it expressive meaning.

- AARON COPLAND

The boatman is a thrifty man, There’s none can do as the boatman can.

I never see a pretty gal in my life, But that she was a boatman’s wife.

High row the boatmen row, Floatin’ down the river, the Ohio.

The Dodger Yes, the candidate’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger, Yes the candidate’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.

He’ll meet you and treat you and ask you for your vote But look out boys he’s a dodgin’ for a note.

Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.

Yes, the preacher he’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger, Yes the preacher he’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.

He’ll preach you a gospel and tell you of your crimes But look out boys he’s a dodgin’ for your dimes.

Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.

Yes the lover he’s a dodger, yes, a well known dodger, Yes the lover he’s a dodger, yes, and I’m a dodger too.

He’ll hug you and kiss you and call you his bride But look out girls he’s a tellin’ you a lie.

Yes we’re all dodgin’ out away through the world.

4 | MA STER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

(Campaign Song)

Long Time Ago On the lake where droop’d the willow, Long time ago, Where the rock threw back the billow, Brighter than snow.

Dwelt a maid beloved and cherish’d, By high and low.

But with autumn leaf she perish’d, Long time ago.

(Ballad)

Rock and tree and flowing water, Long time ago, Bird and bee and blossom taught her, Love’s spell to know.

While to my fond words she listen’d, Murmuring low, Tenderly her blue eyes glisten’d, Long time ago.

Simple Gifts ‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be.

And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

(Shaker Song)

When true simplicity is gained, To bow and to bend we shan’t be ashamed.

To turn will be our delight ‘Till by turning we come round right.

‘Tis the gift to be simple, ‘tis the gift to be free, ‘Tis the gift to come down where you ought to be And when we find ourselves in the place just right, ‘Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

I Bought Me a Cat I bought me a cat, my cat pleased me, I bought me a pig, my pig pleased me.

I fed my cat under yonder tree.

I fed my pig under yonder tree.

My cat says fiddle eye fee.

My pig says, “Griffey, griffey”.

My hen says. . .

I bought me a duck, my duck pleased me, I fed my duck under yonder tree.

I bought me a cow, my cow pleased me.

My duck says, “Quaa, quaa”, I fed my cow under yonder tree.

My cat says fiddle eye fee.

My cow says “Baw, baw”, My pig says . . .

I bought me a goose, my goose pleased me, I fed my goose under yonder tree.

I bought me a horse, my horse pleased me.

My goose says, “Quaw, quaw”, I fed my horse under yonder tree.

My duck says. . .

My horse says, “Neigh, neigh”, My cow says. . .

I bought me a hen, my hen pleased me.

I fed my hen under yonder tree.

I bought me a wife, my wife pleased me.

My hen says, “Shimmy shack, shimmy shack”, I fed my wife under yonder tree.

My goose says. . .

My wife says, “Honey, honey”,

My horse says “Neigh, neigh”. . .

(Children’s Song)

CO NCO R DIA U NI V ERSITY IRV INE | 5

P R O G R A M The Little Horses Hush you bye, don’t you cry.

Hush you bye, don’t you cry, Go to sleepy little baby.

Go to sleepy little baby.

When you wake, you shall have, When you wake, you’ll have sweet cake and All the pretty little horses.

All the pretty little horses.

Blacks and bays, dapples and grays, Coach and six-a little horses.

(Lullaby)

A brown and gray and a black and a bay and a Coach and six-a little horses.

Zion’s Walls Come fathers and mothers, O fathers don’t you feel determined Come sisters and brothers, To meet within the walls of Zion.

Come join us in singing the praises of Zion.

We’ll shout and go round the walls of Zion.

At the River Shall we gather by the river, Soon we’ll reach the shining river, Where bright angel’s feet have trod, Soon our pilgrimage will cease, With its crystal tide forever Soon our happy hearts will quiver Flowing by the throne of God. With the melody of peace.

(Revivalist Song)

(Hymn Tune)

Yes, we’ll gather by the river, The beautiful, the beautiful river, Gather with the saints by the river That flows by the throne of God. Ching-a-ring Chaw Ching-a-ring-a ring ching ching, Ho-a ding-a ding kum larkee.

(Minstrel Song)

Brothers gather round, Listen to this story, ‘Bout the promised land, An’ the promised glory.

You don’t need to fear If you have no money, You don’t need none there, To buy you milk and honey.

There you’ll ride in style, Coach with four white horses, There the evenin’ meal, Has one, two, three, four courses.

Nights we all will dance, To the harp and fiddle, Waltz and jig and prance, “Cast off down the middle.”

When the mornin’ come, All in grand and splendor, Stand out in the sun, And hear the holy thunder.

Brothers hear me out, the promised land’s a-comin’, Dance and sing and shout, I hear them harps a-strummin’.

Ching-a-ring-a ching ching ching, Ring ching ching ching Chaw!

6 | MA STER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

Brothers gather round, Listen to this story, ‘Bout the promised land, An’ the promised glory.

“The Promise of Living”

Aaron Copland

Thanksgiving Song from the opera “The Tender Land” The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving is born of our loving our friends and our labor.

The promise of growing with faith and with knowing is born of our sharing our love with our neighbor.

For many a year we’ve known these fields and known all the work that makes them yield.

Are you ready to lend a hand? We’ll bring in the harvest, the blessings of harvest.

We plant each row with seeds of grain, and Providence sends us the sun and the rain.

By lending a hand, by lending an arm, bring out from the farm, bring out the blessings of harvest.

Give thanks there was sunshine, give thanks there was rain.

Give thanks we have hands to deliver the grain.

Come join us in thanking the Lord for his blessing.

O let us be joyful. O let us be grateful to the Lord for His blessing.

The promise of ending in right understanding is peace in our own hearts and peace with our neighbor.

O let us sing our song, and let our song be heard.

Let’s sing our song with our hearts, and find a promise in that song.

The promise of living.

The promise of growing.

The promise of ending is labor and sharing our loving.

CO NCO R DIA U NI V ERSITY IRV INE | 7

NOTES FROM THE CONDUCTOR

Thank you for attending our Concordia MasterWorks 2026 performance. We’re excited to commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth with a concert featuring an all-American lineup of composers. As part of our USA250 series of concerts, our department has been delighted to explore the rich tapestry of choral and instrumental music. The works selected for this performance showcase a unique diversity of American choral-orchestral music from the past century.

We’ll begin the concert with a modern masterpiece that has captivated the world by its sheer beauty, Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna. Its popularity even inspired a feature film documentary. The second piece of the program prominently features a song genre that’s uniquely American, the African-American spiritual. Robert Nathaniel Dett, a pioneering composer of spirituals, transforms the well-known spiritual “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” into an extended choral celebration in The Chariot Jubilee. Lastly, if there’s a composer whose music feels most distinctly American, it’s Aaron Copland.

His Old American Songs beautifully captures the spirit, humor, and diversity of early American life.

Personally, I’ve been drawn to Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna for many years, and it’s been a constant presence in my playlist. Its serene beauty captures my imagination in a way that comforts and consoles.

I’ve prayed the opening lines repeatedly as I listen, especially as I continue to mourn the passing of my parents. The words “Rest eternal grant to them, O Lord.

And let perpetual light shine upon them” resonate with assurance. There’s something about Lauridsen’s music that lifts the spirit and penetrates the soul, making it an ideal accompaniment to the texts drawn from the Latin

8 | MA STER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

Requiem Mass. In the award-winning film documentary Shining Night: A Portrait of Composer Morten Lauridsen, the composer shared his inspiration for Lux Aeterna: “I simply tried to write something very, very beautiful. A meditation, a quiet meditation about Illumination. And people connect with that, and it makes no difference where it is or who it is. People are able to hear this music and very often go into a transformative state that connects with something very deep inside of them.”

Composed in 1997, Lux Aeterna is a five-movement cycle that explores themes of “Light” through various sacred Latin texts. Lauridsen composed it in response to his mother’s final illness, finding immense personal comfort and solace in setting these timeless words about Light.

The five movements—Introitus, In te Domini speravi, O nata lux, Veni Sancte Spiritus, and Agnus Dei— form a cohesive arc. Unlike the dramatic or fearful aspects often associated with the Requiem tradition, Lauridsen focuses on serenity, compassion, and transcendence.

Musically, Lux Aeterna is characterized by Lauridsen’s signature harmonic language. Sonorities are lush and radiant, centered around what is famously known as the “Lauridsen chord,” a luminous first-inversion chord with an added 2nd. Many of his works are fashioned around this singular sonority, while enriched with modal inflections and extended chords. The choral writing is fluid and expressive, mirroring the ebb and flow of medieval chants.

The third movement, O nata lux, stands as the spiritual and structural heart of the piece. Jesus Christ is present at this center, “born light of light,” who willingly took on human flesh to experience our mortality, and become the redeemer of all who are lost. Jesus understands those who mourn, and radiates the eternal light of heaven to all believers.

Robert Nathaniel Dett is a celebrated composer, best known for his concert settings of the African-American spiritual. Dett received a substantial music education, beginning at Oberlin Conservatory, where he made history as the first person of African descent to graduate with a double major in piano and composition. He later earned a master’s degree from the Eastman School of Music. In The Chariot Jubilee, his treatment of “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot” moves far beyond a simple harmonization. He develops the tune through a diverse range of textures, dynamic contrasts, and imaginative rhythmic treatments. Syncopated rhythms, call-andresponse motifs, and layered vocal entrances evoke the traditions of the traditional spiritual, resulting in a fresh and expressive interpretation.

At its core, The Chariot Jubilee conveys themes of hope and deliverance. The “chariot” symbolizes liberation and divine promises. It presents an image that held profound meaning within the historical context of enslaved African Americans, and continues to resonate spiritually and culturally. We’re grateful that this incredible work has experienced a revival in the past five years, thanks to the efforts of choral conductor Jason Max Ferdinand. While The Chariot Jubilee was popular during Dett’s lifetime, it became largely forgotten after his death. However, it’s now gaining renewed appreciation with performances across the globe.

Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs celebrates the richness of American heritage by drawing on folk tunes, children’s songs, spirituals, and minstrel melodies. These song arrangements, originally for voice and piano, have become staples of both vocal and choral repertoires.

Copland’s genius lies in his ability to preserve the authenticity and directness of these traditional melodies, while infusing them with his unmistakable voice. His harmonies are open and spacious, often based on intervals of fourths and fifths, creating a “wide-open” sound reminiscent of the American landscape.

The first set includes The Boatmen’s Dance, The Dodger, Long Time Ago, Simple Gifts, and I Bought Me a Cat. The songs range from lively and upbeat to tender and even satirical. For instance, The Dodger offers witty political commentary that remains surprisingly relevant, while I Bought Me a Cat is uniquely humorous. The second set consists of The Little Horses, Zion’s Walls, The Golden Willow Tree (not performed tonight), At the River, and Ching-a Ring Chaw. They continue this exploration with the gentle lullaby of The Little Horses, the American folk hymns Zion’s Walls and At the River, and the exuberant Ching-a-Ring Chaw.

To conclude our concert, we’ll finish with another renowned work by Aaron Copland, “The Promise of Living” from his opera The Tender Land. The text emphasizes unity, shared labor, and hope for the future, stating, “The promise of living with hope and thanksgiving is born of our loving our friends and our labor.” We hope our concert today leaves you with a sense of hope, assurance, gladness, and delight. Enjoy!

- MICHAEL BUSCH

CO NCO R DIA U NI V ERSITY IRV INE | 9

MUSICIANS The Concordia Choir

Dr. Michael Busch, conductor Dr. HyeJung Shin, pianist Soprano Mia Grund Amy Held Ashley Kosonen Nicole Kramer Emma Martinez Rebekah Michel Chloe Miller Sarah Motozaki Lindsay O’Leary Anna Schatte Sofia Schrader Hannah Springer Cassady Woolley

Alto Camille Beeson Genesa Davies Jillian Endicott Presley Ferman Kailan Foster Emma James Clara John Gracie Leininger Amanda McLauchlan Mianna Robinson Joy Saati Olivia Thoelke Emma Williamson

Tenor Jason Barber Jason Coulter Blake Crabtree Joshua Harris Aleksander Kulapin Nathan Larson Miles O’Campo Anthony Reynafarje Isaac Stults Aaron Thomas Gavin Walgate

Bass Adam Dif Noah Gonzales Aidan Haupt Andrew Held Philip Held Corey Luedemann James Luther Ryker Norwood Luke Pimentel Ethan Shook Paul Symank Jayden Torgerson Brandon Truong

Concordia Master Chorale Dr. Michael Busch, conductor Dr. HyeJung Shin, pianist

Soprano Chihiro Ando Liz Archer Nancy Barnes Yuri Bast Denise Boyd Amanda Chiang Ellia Chiou Pinky Clark Mary Dahlia Paulette Dunn Hannah Dunning Lisa Frank Faith Fong May Geng Donna Hyde Wendy Isbell Susan Jacobs Jennifer Pipp Holly Roehl Jody Sadeghipour Sue Snyder Pamela Stephens May Lee Tong Emily Valenzuela Molly Wessler Lily Wu Marie Yang

10 | MASTER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

Alto Ann Ashmon Shanda Beltran Marcia Biang Joanne Bush Ana Carvalho Gretchen Ely Gisele Grabowsky Christine Hankins Bonnie Hicks Vicki Hood Nancy Jeu Ruth Kim Gwen Larsen Angie Lee Sandee Mann Katelin Nordseth Kathryn Packham Karyn Rashoff Cecilia Salisbury Lahoma Schulze Susan Shelton Debbie Tracy Barbara Tucker Donna Zaferson

Tenor Paul Behnke Chuck Maggs Timmy Maggs Mitchell Piantanida Andres Valenzuela Bruce Van Patten Caleb Vaughan John Wilson

Bass Kirk Butz Stephen Canfield Cary Evans Peter Fyfe Jim Gustafson Michael Jacobs Jordan Kirby James Klinger Richard Morey Ethan Schneider Jim Schulze Don Sewell

MasterWorks Orchestra Violin 1 Elizabeth Johnson * *** Mei Chang Gerardo B. Hilera Halina McAlpine Grace Lindsay ** Oliver DiMartino ** Violin 2 Sam Yoon * Katherine Cash Robin Cecil Macie Sweeney-Slick Daniel Laguilles ** Viola Matt Nabours * Jared Turner *** Julie Metz Elizabeth Bennett ** Laura Raitt ** Cello Yue Tang * *** Gregory Adamson Lyubov Solovyova Martha Lippi Bass Tim Jensen * Chris Hornung ***

Flute Kathleen Dyer Oboe Siri Lyon *** Clarinet Margaret Worsley * Michael Miller ** Bassoon Avery Smith *** Horn Erika Wilsen * *** Linda Duffin Trumpet Chris Eble Trombone Wendell Kelly *** Harp Gretchen Kirby *** Piano HyeJung Shin *** * Principal ** Concordia Resident Performing Artist *** Concordia Studio Faculty

CO NCO R DIA U NIVERSITY IRV INE | 1 1

ARTIST PROFILES

ORSON VAN GAY II, TENOR Orson Van Gay II has captivated audiences in classical and contemporary opera and concert performances with his charisma and “fine heroic tenor” (San Francisco Classical Voice). Van Gay has garnered acclaim for roles in his home of Southern California and across the United States, with Broadway World declaring, “his sound was fluent and his high notes golden,” and Voix des Arts stating, “The vitality of his work was gratifyingly unflappable.” In November of 2023, Van Gay self-released his first solo album, Colors of a Lyric, with pianist Lenny Hayes.

In March 2026, Van Gay joined Lyric Opera of Orange County and Assyrian Arts Institute as Enlil, God of Storms, in the world premiere of Gilgamesh, a new work by Derrick Skye.

Recently, Van Gay made his debut in the title role of Faust with Heartbeat Opera in New York City, performed the role of Rennucio in Gianni Schicchi with Opera Idaho, and made his Jazz at Lincoln Center debut with MasterVoices under the baton of Ted Sperling in Blind Injustice, reprising the role of Laurese Glover. The new work about people who were wrongfully convicted of crimes and later freed received great acclaim, with New York Classical Review calling Van Gay’s aria “showstopping.” Van Gay also joins the Virginia Symphony as the tenor soloist in Handel’s Messiah and the San Bernardino Symphony as the tenor soloist in a program of Carmen and Daughter of the Regiment excerpts in concert. Van Gay will return to Pocket Opera in 2026 to sing the role of Ernesto in Don Pasquale.

Van Gay’s recent operatic roles have included Danilo in The Merry Widow, for which he earned Pocket Opera’s inaugural Hurst Artist of the Year Award in 2022; Nemorino in L’elisir d’amore with the Phoenicia International Festival of the Voice; Alfredo in La Traviata with Piedmont Opera; the title role of Candide with Angels Vocal Art; and both The Athlete in I Can’t Breathe and Rodolfo in La Bohème with Pacific Opera Project. A frequent performer with Long Beach Opera, Van Gay has been seen as Vitaliano in Handel’s Giustino, Gérard in Les Enfants Terribles, and Raymond Santana in Anthony Davis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning Five, a role he premiered with the same company in 2019.

Van Gay often performs with the Los Angeles Opera, most recently as The Messenger in Il Trovatore and as Ramerrez in The Prospector. He debuted the role of Bernard Curson in the world premiere of Figaro 90210!, and has sung in the company’s “Connects,” “City of Hope,” and “I AM LA” series. Other concert highlights include singing as a soloist in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 with the California Philharmonic Orchestra and performing with Wang Wei at Carnegie Hall.

In addition to his operatic résumé, Van Gay has enjoyed success as an actor in several nationally recognized television series, including Disney’s Coop & Cami Ask the World. Van Gay holds a bachelor’s degree in science and vocal performance from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.

12 | MASTER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

MICHAEL BUSCH, CONDUCTOR Dr. Michael Busch, a professor of music at Concordia University Irvine, serves as the Director of Choral and Vocal Activities. His teaching responsibilities include the areas of conducting, music theory, and choral music. Dr. Busch’s work with the Concordia Choir and the Concordia Master Chorale has been showcased in an acclaimed concert series at the Concordia Center for Worship and Performing Arts.

Over the past three decades, he has delighted in being the Artistic Director of the Concordia Christmas Concerts. Additionally, his choirs are featured in Concordia’s PBS Christmas specials broadcast nationwide.

Dr. Busch has led the Concordia Choir on concert ministry tours throughout the United States, South America, and Europe. These tours have taken them to Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary, Canada, Brazil, Argentina, Spain, Portugal, and Italy. Notable highlights include performances at the iconic Berliner Dom and Wittenberg Castle Church during the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. The choir has also sung Mass and performed concerts in the historic cathedrals of Rome, Florence, and Venice. Last year, they collaborated with the Concordia Symphony Orchestra in the concert halls of Japan and South Korea.

Concordia is set to make its Carnegie Hall debut this May. Dr. Busch earned the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in the literature and performance of choral music from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and his Master of Arts degree in choral conducting and organ performance from San Jose State University.

His musical journey has been shaped by his studies with renowned conductors and teachers, including Charlene Archibeque, Lynn Whitten, Alan Luhring, and Roger Nyquist. Before joining Concordia, Dr. Busch had a diverse teaching career, instructing choral music at every grade level and leading large choral and orchestral music ministry programs in California and Colorado. His greatest joy lies in sharing his passion for music and mentoring aspiring music educators and church musicians.

At Concordia, Dr. Busch introduced the MasterWorks Concert Series, an annual event that showcases major choral works performed by professional orchestras. Under his baton, these concerts have featured a wide range of renowned compositions, including the Bach St. John Passion, Mendelssohn Elijah, Bach Mass in B Minor, Mozart Grand Mass in C Minor, Haydn Lord Nelson Mass, Poulenc Gloria, Honegger King David, Handel Messiah, Mozart Requiem, Bach Magnificat, Bernstein Chichester Psalms, Mendelssohn St. Paul, Bach cantatas, Vaughan Williams Dona nobis pacem, Duruflé Requiem, Schoenberg Survivor of Warsaw, and the Bach St. Matthew Passion.

This year’s MasterWorks Concert commemorates America250, with an All-American cast of composers, including the Lux Aeterna of Morten Lauridsen, The Chariot Jubilee of R. Nathaniel Dett, and Old American Songs of Aaron Copland.

In addition to his duties at Concordia, Dr. Busch is actively involved as a guest conductor, choral adjudicator, and workshop leader. He has forty years of service in the church and is rostered as a DPM for the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod.

Throughout his career, he has held various leadership roles and presented at conferences for the ACDA, ALCM, and Chorister’s Guild. Currently, Dr. Busch serves as the Director of Classic Worship at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Newport Beach, where he leads their choral-orchestral music ministry. He is the proud father of three sons and is happily married to his bride of forty years.

CO NCO R DIA U NIVERSITY IRV INE | 1 3

M US IC PAT RONS

VIRTUOSO’S CIRCLE ($10,000-$49,999) Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan K. Bartels Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Biang Mark & Lauri Howell* Mrs. Conya Pembroke Dr. & Mrs. Carl Weinert, Jr. BENEFACTOR’S CIRCLE ($5,000 - $9,999) Drs. Stephen & Jacqueline Brown Forum of Church Business Leaders Inc.* Mr. Thomas, M.A. ’90 & Mrs. Helga Butz Mr. & Mrs. Thomas E. Davis Mr. Ryan ’97 & Mrs. Lyndsay Ermeling ’96 Mr. & Mrs. William J. Heide H.E. Durbin ’93 Family Ms. Joycelyn Fawaz Immanuel Lutheran Church – Riverside, CA Mr. Benjamin Johnson* Mr. & Mrs. Craig W. Olson Olson Family Foundation – Orange, CA Mr. Stephan Schliebe Mrs. Mary K. Schlueter Mr. & Mrs. David Siebert Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Larry Stoterau* MAESTRO’S CIRCLE ($2,500 - $4,999) Dr. Marina A. Ball* David & Alicia Bogardus Bruce & Debbie Dannemeyer* Mr. & Mrs. Craig Endo* Dr. Jeff & Mrs. Holly Held* Rev. Dr. Ronald & Ruth Kusel Paul Multari & Lynn Gardner Mr. Paul R. Prentice Steve & Diane Sonnenberg Mr. & Mrs. Christopher Symank* LOYALTY CIRCLE ($1,000 - $2,499) Drs. Bethany & Craig Adams* Dr. Marian Baden Mrs. Yoko Boucher Dr. Michael & Mrs. Michele Busch* Mrs. Marilyn Dow Byrne Mr. & Mrs. Paul Crabtree Mr. Neal DeLoye First Lutheran Church – Venice, CA Peter & Kitty Fyfe

14 | MASTER WORKS CON C ERTS 2 0 2 6

Mr. & Mrs. Dale Gerling Mr. Tim & Mrs. Susan Guebert Mr. Nicholas ’03 & Mrs. Genevieve Hanson ’00 Mr. & Mrs. Gregory Hill* Susan & Mark Hirzel Mr. & Mrs. Harold M. Hoch* Mrs. Barbara Hochgesang Dr. & Mrs. Avak Howsepian Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Keller Mr. & Mrs. James Klingler Wanda Lahn Mr. & Mrs. Robert Ludwig Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Malzahn* Pat & Chris Olsen Mrs. Helena Ralph Mrs. Joanne Roeder, MAED ’91 Mr. Scott & Mrs. Robin Ertman Scott ’82 Dr. Peter & Mrs. Kathryn Senkbeil St. John’s Lutheran Church – Orange, CA DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE ($500 - $999) American Orff-Schulwerk Association Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Blake* Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Chin* The Rev. Dr. Bruce & Judy Hartung Mr. Stan Jantz Mr. & Mrs. Glenn Martinez* Mr. Eric ’92 & Mrs. Tamara O’Leary* Mr. Andrew ’10 & Mrs. Tanya Parker Paul & Kristen Schmidt Jim & Lahoma Schulze* Dr. Daniel, MBA ’03 & Dr. Mary Scott Rev. Phillip & Mrs. Mary Sipes* St. Paul Lutheran Church – Columbus, IN Dr. Bret & Mrs. Myra Taylor Mr. & Mrs. Lothar Thoelke* Dr. Michael & Kim Thomas AMBASSADOR’S CIRCLE ($250 - $499) Dexter Music Mrs. Dorothy M. Ahlers Rev. Dr. Scott & Mrs. Ann Ashmon Ms. Judi Bailey Dr. & Mrs. Curt W. Cattau Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Charles* Ms. Marilyn Ciborski Rev. & Mrs. Robert A. Dargatz* Mr. Edward & Dr. Eveline Eng Ms. Maria M. Grieve

Mr. Jarod P. Grudem* Dr. & Mrs. Christian Hauser Mrs. Jeanne Held* Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan D. Held Dr. Michelle C.L. Hoff ’20 Don & Cherie Hugo* Ms. Elizabeth M. Johnson* Mr. & Mrs. Robert H. Lange Mr. & Mrs. Simon Liao* Ms. Joan E. Lilley, MA ’91 Mr. Clyde & Mrs. Sandee Mann Rorik & Julie Melberg* Mr. Paul & Mrs. Carla Purcell Ms. Bernardine Rothlisberg Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Robb Mr. James† & Mrs. Grace Saldaña Mr. & Mrs. James D. Sheetz Rev. Mark, MAEd ’94, MA ’11 & Mrs. Laura Siegert ’92, MAEd ’01* St. Paul’s Lutheran Church – Orange, CA Ms. Laura Stoi* Mr. & Mrs. Timothy Virus* Mr. & Mrs. Carl M. Warvarovsky Mr. & Mrs. James G. Wernz Mr. Byron Yakimow Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Anaheim PARTNER’S CIRCLE ($100 - $249) Rev. & Mrs. Richard C. Allsing Ms. Alice Beltran* Mr. Steve ’98 & Mrs. Christine Bishop ’96 Rev. Dr. & Mrs. David Block Mr. & Mrs. Dale Brant* Ms. Diana Brown Ms. Lenora Burkett* Mr. David Ross Chason Mr. Chiifa & Mrs. Ellia Chiou* Mr. Chu & Ms. Liu Mr. Bradley & Mrs. Paula E. Cleland AA ’80* Mr. William ’05 & Mrs. Terry Cottle Mr. Lawrence ’88 & Mrs. Mary Dahlia ’92 Mrs. Kristine L. Dassero, M.A. Ed ’09 Mr. & Mrs. John E. Dennis Mr. Erik ’15 & Mrs. Katelyn Der ’15* Ms. Marilyn K. Dielmann Mr. & Mrs. Austin Eaton Mr. & Mrs. Donald Eberhardt Mr. & Mrs. Steven Endicott Mrs. Edith J. English

Mr. & Mrs. Bill Even Rev. & Mrs. Stephan Gaulke* Mr. George, M.A. ’93 & Mrs. Ellen Geisler Pastor & Mrs. Sam Grayl* Mrs. Patricia Guerra Ms. Sharon R. Guilliams Mr. Gary & Mrs. Krista Harris ’95 Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Robert Holst Dr. Lori, MAEd ’95 & Mr. Timothy Jaeger, LMC ’87 Ms. Suzanne Johnson* Yang Sook Kang Ms. Sandy Kasaty* Mr. Taylour & Mrs. Arianna Keyser ’19 Dennis & Arlene Klein Mrs. Virginia A. LaBahn* Mr. Tim Lafazia* Mr. & Mrs. Scott Leslie* Mr. Alvin, MA ’91 & Mrs. Martha Ludtke Mr. Bart & Mrs. Sheri Luedemann, MAEd ’11 Charles & Jill Maggs Dr. & Mrs. Kenneth E. Mangels Mr. & Mrs. David Manske Mr. & Mrs. David Martin Mr. Jose M. Martinez* Ms. Pamela Martinez* Ms. Robin McCauley* Mr. & Mrs. Raymond McQuiston* Del & Linda Meyer Rev. & Mrs. Thomas F. Meyer Ms. Linda Minde Mr. Michael & Mrs. Katie Montgomery ’03, MEd ’06 Dr. Tom & Mrs. Kristina Mueller* Ms. Amanda Pflueger* Ms. Carol Pickford Dr. John ’90 & Mrs. Kimberly Randall ’90, MAEd ’10* Mrs. Sharon Rasmussen Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Thomas J. Rogers Mr. & Mrs. Dennis Ross Kathryn G. Rowley, Ph.D. Mr. Peter Sanders* Mr. & Mrs. William Schatte* Mr. & Mrs. Dan Schield Mr. Kristopher ’94 & Mrs. Christine Schneider ’93* Ms. Beverly Schulte* Mr. & Mrs. Donald H. Schulteis Dr. Michael ’95, MAEd ’98 & Dr. Melinda Schulteis ’95

Ms. Charlotte Schultz Ms. Diane Scriven Ms. Norma Sernka Mr. & Mrs. William F. Sparks, Jr. Joseph & Karen Strubbe* Mr. John Symank* Ms. Cynthia S. Taylor Mr. & Mrs. John Thoelke* Ms. Elizabeth Thomas, MAEd ’19 Mr. John Tysor Mr. Dennis & Mrs. Lisa Vogt Dr. Catherine Webb Mr. & Mrs. Edward Werner Mr. Stephen White* Mr. John ’04 & Mrs. Naomi Will ’06 Dr. Erika Wilsen* Mr. William F. Wrede Ms. Cindy Yik-Cheung ’90 Steve & Victoria Young Mrs. Sally von Zirngibl FRIEND’S CIRCLE ($25 - $99) Mr. & Mrs. Philip Amt Mr. Feloniz Anderson Ms. Nesa Anderson Ms. Karen L. Andresen Mr. & Mrs. Daniel Bailey Mr. Stevie Berryman Ms. Carol Ann Brogan* Mr. Charles & Mrs. Luanne Brower ’95 Mr. Kevin Cavanaugh* Mr. & Mrs. Y Chae Mr. Jim Chang* Mr. & Mrs. Michael Chastain* Mr. Gary Couch Rev. Christopher ’00 & Mrs. Megan Crume* Mr. David Davenport Ms. Su Davis Ms. Kate Dickinson Mr. & Mrs. Roland H. Dowling Ms. Julie Draper Ms. Cindi Edson Ms. Marjorie Eide Ms. Mary E. Elvick Ms. Eden Escobedo Rev. & Mrs. Robert Fickenscher Rev. Dr. & Mrs. Michael E. Gibson* Mr. Brian & Mrs. Jennifer Griffith, MA ’20 Ms. Dana M. Gythiel Ms. Lydia Hernandez

Ms. Bonnie Hicks ’98* Ms. Helen Jacobson ’97 Mr. & Mrs. Felipe De Jesus Tirzo Leocadio* Benjamin & Sunny Leos Mrs. Kristen ’17 & Mr. Richard Lewis ’18 Mr. & Mrs. John W. Lichtsinn Mr. Timothy Maggs* Mr. & Mrs. Marvin Martin Ms. Kendra McLaughlin Ms. Mary Meyer* Ms. Nancy Pace Mr. & Mrs. Todd Peapenburg Mr. Kemricky Philossaint Ms. Myrna C. Radl, PhD Ms. Elizabeth Ramsey Ms. Holly L. Roehl ’21, MEd ’22 Ms. Fran Sanders Mr. Adam C. Sharpe ’16 Mr. & Mrs. Shawn Smith Ms. Sheilah Svennungsen Gall Ms. Martha L. Toft Mr. Jeremy ’00 & Dr. Kerri Tom* Ms. Ivonne Torres, MAEd ’18 Mr. Daniel D. Ujifusa ’23 Ms. Elizabeth Vega Ms. Patricia A. Weber Ms. Yufei J. Wenslaff ’24 Mr. Derek ’91 & Mrs. Natsuko Whelply ’91 Mr. Christian White*

To give a gift online, visit us at CUI.EDU/GIVING * USA250 Patrons † Deceased As of 3-27-2026

CO NCO R DIA U NIVERSITY IRV INE | 1 5

USA 250 Music Festival Tuesday, May 5 - Sunday, May 10, 2026 New York City

Christian Guebert ’10, composer The Concordia Choir Concert Handbells Concordia Sinfonietta Concordia Brass

Scan the QR code to visit Concordia’s Giving page

Concordia University Irvine’s musicians take the stage at one of the world’s most iconic concert venues, Carnegie Hall. The concert features Inscriptions, a major work by alumnus Christian Guebert for large chorus, handbells, chamber orchestra, and balcony brass. It will also feature numerous American works as the grand finale of Concordia’s USA250 Festival! While on the road, our ensembles will perform in historic Manhattan churches and Central Park, bringing music and community to the heart of New York City.

Travel alongside our musicians as they take the stage for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, or give a gift today to help send our students to New York. Learn more at cui.edu/NYC.

Visit Concordia University Irvine's Music Wing The Borland-Manske Center Concordia University Irvine is home to one of the premium music learning centers in Southern California. Our friendly culture is joined by high standards of excellence, led by faculty whose primary interest is the growth of each student. Significant faculty and peer interactions are maximized through the design of the newly-opened Borland-Manske Center, where they gather daily in a shared pursuit of great musicianship and ministry.

The Borland-Manske Center includes over 50 rooms designed specifically for musicmaking and teaching, including the Charlie and Ling Zhang Orchestra Hall, the Caryn Borland '85 Recording Suite, the Henley Piano Studio, a large choral rehearsal hall, teaching studios, practice rooms, faculty offices, a music classroom, music office, ensemble music library, and student lounges. Walters-Storyk Design Group did the acoustic design, including the recording studio, designed by the world's foremost designer of audio studios, John Storyk.

Connect with us at auditions@cui.edu or fill out a music scholarship interest form at cui.edu/musicscholarships.

For more information, visit cui.edu/music

OUR MISSION Concordia University Irvine, a comprehensive Lutheran Christian university guided by Christ’s Great Commission, develops wise, honorable, and cultivated citizens to serve society and the church.

Follow us on social and use #CUIMusic @ConcordiaIrvineArts @ConcordiaArts @ConcordiaIrvineMusic cui.edu/arts