Cantamus Women’s Choir performs at Nebraska Music Education Association conference

Concordia’s Cantamus Women’s Choir represented the university at the Nebraska Music Education Association conference on Nov. 18, performing a half-hour set for music educators across the state at St. Paul Methodist Church in Lincoln.

“It’s a great honor for the choir, and for Concordia to be represented at the conference,” Dr. Jeffrey Blersch, Cantamus conductor and professor of music, said. “Our choir was started five years ago, so for us to be selected this early in our existence speaks to the students’ accomplishments, dedication and musicianship.”

Cantamus, which includes 50 students, was one of six choirs selected from high school and college choirs throughout the state to perform at the conference. The choir—comprised of students majoring in music in addition to a wide variety of majors—is dedicated to inspiring audiences through the creation and celebration of the choral art form for treble voices. Cantamus is Latin for ‘we sing’ and represents the importance of singing together as with one voice, sharing a common faith and experiences through song.

“We have a community that’s built across campus and I look forward to our rehearsal hour to watch our musicians come together and make music and build relationships,” Blersch said. “It’s been a rewarding experience for me, and I think it has been for our students, too.”

The choir performs regionally, including events on campus and neighboring churches in Seward, Lincoln and Omaha.

Members of the Concordia Cantamus Women’s Choir include (listed in program order):

Soprano I

Ashley Craig, St. Charles, Mo.

Abigail Grosnick, Watertown, Wis.

Kendra Johnson, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Mya Nurse, Des Moines, Iowa

Mckenzie Moore, Sidney, Neb.

Emilee Price, Columbus, Neb.

Paige Rebber, Antwerp, Ohio

Nicole Rodriguez, Billings, Mont.

Soprano II

Makayla Adams, St. Louis, Mo.

Aubrey Baumann, Chester, S.D.

Emma Borgschatz, Plainview, Minn.

Haley Compton, Papillion, Neb.

Rebekah Henschen, Bancroft, Neb.

Kyndle Kirby, Palmer, Alaska

Grace Miller, Marysville, Kan.

Ruth Moon, Clark, Colo.

Grace O’Neal, Spirit Lake, Iowa

Michelle Peterson, Corvallis, Ore.

Katheryn Rice, Bellevue, Neb.

Rachel Smith, Earlham, Iowa

Rosanna Scott, West Fork, Ark.

Alleah Struble, Heber Springs, Ark.

Alto I

Lauren Ada, De Soto, Kan.

Sofia Atkins, North Platte, Neb.

Emma Armbrecht, Williamsburg, Iowa.

Emma Bolen, Bloomington, Wis.

Emma Dangers, Isle, Minn.

Kalie Dalen, Dallas Center, Iowa

Hannah Feusse, Clearwater, Neb.

Hannah Nissing, St. Charles, Mo.

Macy Gebhardt, Seward, Neb.

Mikayla Lowe, Atchison, Kan.

Naomi Postier, Newton, Kan.

Ami Pritchett, Denver, Colo.

Joanna Thorman, Lakewood, Colo.

Julia Witt, Columbus, Neb.

Alto II

Julia Baker, Poy Sippi, Wis.

Abby Dueck, Newark, Calif.

Faith Jonas, St. Louis, Mo.

Grace Jonas, St. Louis, Mo.

Autumn Johnson, Fremont, Neb.

Elise Leapley, Waukesha, Wis.

Abby Nugent, Wake Forest, N.C.

Jenna Potratz, Seward, Neb.

Olivia Proctor, Glendale, Ariz.

Cristina Sanchez, La Grange, Texas

Allison Story, Clay Center, Neb.