Concordia Handbell Choir featured on Nebraska Public Media

On October 29, the Concordia University, Nebraska Handbell Choir performed on Nebraska Public Media (NPR) for Public Radio Music Day (PRMD). PRMD has been going on annually for the past few years, and NPR has participated every year since it started. The theme for this year was “Live. Local. Essential.”  

Genevive Randall, the Music Director at NPR, reached out to Concordia Music Department Chair Dr. Kurt von Kampen in September asking if Concordia wanted to be a part of this event, and if Concordia still had a bell choir. Von Kampen put Randall in touch with professor of music and director of the Handbell Choir, Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo.  

“The students and I felt honored to be included in the Public Radio Music Day live-performance line-up. They performed so well – technically accurate and musically sensitive. I was proud of them, and it was a good day. It was a great opportunity to bring further awareness of Concordia to listeners across the state of Nebraska.”

The choir performed at 11:35 a.m. in the Nebraska Public Media lobby. The performed “Lord of the Dance” by Kevin McChesney which incorporated the well-known tune, Simple Gifts, “Blessed Assurance” arranged by Valerie Stephenson and “Fly Me to the Moon” arranged by Ron Mallory. 

Dr. Grimpo said, “The students and I felt honored to be included in the Public Radio Music Day live-performance line-up. They performed so well – technically accurate and musically sensitive. I was proud of them, and it was a good day. It was a great opportunity to bring further awareness of Concordia to listeners across the state of Nebraska.”  

Handbell choir member Richard Peperkorn also commented on the performance saying, “It was a great bonding experience for the handbell choir, and it allowed us to show our talents to a new audience.” 

Students involved in the Handbell Choir include: 

Taylor Beal, Frisco, Texas 

Bailey Bianco, Loveland, Colorado 

Rachel Brinkman, Plymouth, Minnesota 

Ethan Bryson, Clarinda, Iowa

Olivia Craig, Kansas City, Missouri 

Amy Crow, Wichita, Kansas 

Matthew Feusse, Saginaw, Michigan 

Miriam Ganoung, Halsey, Nebraska 

Logann Gillespie, Seward, Nebraska 

Rachel Holst, Hartford City, Indiana 

Samuel Olson, Overland Park, Kansas 

Richard Peperkorn, Fort Wayne, Indiana 

Kimberly Schmidt, Seward, Nebraska 

Tyler Velkly, Lititz, Pennsylvania 

The music department at Concordia University, Nebraska provides students with a top-tier, Christ-centered education that prepares them to serve the church and world with their music. Learn more about Concordia’s musical ensembles and lesson opportunities here.