Concordia University Nebraska Vocal Jazz Choir Concert
Saturday, May 17 at 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary
University Vocal Jazz
University Vocal Jazz was formed in the fall of 2006 and has earned a reputation for fine singing of jazz/pop influenced choral music.
The choir has performed throughout the Midwest including a performance at the Sheldon Performing Arts Center in St. Louis, The Schoolhouse at Mainstreet in Parker, Colorado, multiple invitations to sing for the Nebraska Music Education Association (NMEA) annual Fall Conference/Clinic, numerous high school assemblies, and on campus performances each semester. The choir has also been featured several times on Friday Live, an NPR live radio broadcast with Nebraska Public Media.
Students in the choir are representative of a diverse cross section of academic disciplines from within the university. They are chosen by audition, and all are members of the University A Cappella Choir, an internationally acclaimed touring concert choir of 72 members.
Kurt von Kampen, director
Dr. Kurt E. von Kampen is the fourth conductor in the seven-decade history of the University A Cappella Choir. Before coming to Concordia in 1998, he served as head of the choral program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan and as director of music at Lutheran High Schools in Westland and Northwest in the Detroit area. Von Kampen holds a B.S. degree in Music Education from Concordia University in Seward, M.M in Choral Conducting from Oakland University in Rochester, Mich., and a Doctorate in Choral Music Education from the University of Nebraska.
At Ann Arbor, von Kampen received the Teacher of the Year Award in 1996. In 2007 he received Concordia University, Nebraska’s award for excellence in teaching and in
November 2012, he was named the NCDA Outstanding Choral Director of the Year.
Elizabeth Grimpo, piano
Dr. Elizabeth has been teaching at Concordia since 2008. In addition to teaching classes in aural skills, music appreciation and piano, she regularly performs as both a solo and collaborative artist. Her pedagogically informed settings of various hymns have been published by Concordia Publishing House and David’s Harp – a Center for Musical Development. She is also a regular organist at Christ Lutheran Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. Grimpo holds and undergraduate degree in music education from Concordia University Chicago, and two graduate degrees in piano performance form the University of Nebraska. In 2015, she received Concordia’s outstanding teaching award, and in 2023 she was inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame in New York City.
2025 University Vocal Jazz Choir
Soprano
Lydia Edmonds, Gretna, Neb.
Michaela Gibbs, Virginia Beach, Va.
Kirsten Horne, Seward, Neb.
Alto
Ellie Lehr, Omaha, Neb.
Melissa Oblinger, Tomball, Texas
Tara Pester, Seward, Neb.
Morgan Rohde, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Tenor
David Eatherton, St. Louis, Mo.
Logan Walgate, St. Charles, Mo.
Micah Zeckzer, New Haven, Ind.
Bass
Joshua Jurchen, Seward, Neb.
Evan Moloney, Fort Wayne, Ind.
Grant Rohde, Reed City, Mich.
Joel Smith, Earlham, Iowa
FAQ
How long is the concert?
Typically, the concert lasts about an hour. If the crowd goes wild, we do have a couple of encores.
What type of music will you perform?
There will be a variety of sacred and secular music in a variety of jazz and contemporary styles. Our hope is that there will be something that will appeal to everyone in attendance.
Is this a church service or a concert?
This is a concert of sacred and secular music. Though there certainly are spiritual moments, it is not a church service.
Is there a financial guarantee for the choir?
There isn’t. We do, however, take an offering during the concert (about halfway through) which is used to defray travel expenses. We will take the personal checks that have been made payable to “Concordia University”.
Will you sell CDs after the concert?
Yes. There will be a table in the narthex with a new Vocal Jazz EP and A Cappella Choir CDs from the past 20 years. Additionally, a few pieces can be found on streaming platforms, and we will continue to add selections in the future.
Will you provide concert programs?
Yes! We will bring them with us.