Concordia Hosts 2022 Band and Choir Days

On Nov. 4th and Nov. 11th, Concordia Nebraska hosted their annual national band and choir days. In the months leading up to the event, students sent in audition videos for the band and choir. This year the events were hosted on separate days so that students could audition for both events. The choir workshop was hosted Nov. 4th and the band workshop was on Nov. 11th. 

 If students were selected, they traveled to Concordia on Friday night to rehearse for the morning and afternoon to have a concert at 4 p.m. Before the event, students spent the night in the room of a member of Concordia’s band or A Capella choir. Throughout the day, students were side by side with other high schoolers selected for the honor band or choir as well as members of Concordia’s chamber choir and concert band. Tara Pester, a high school senior attending the choir days, reflected on the value the experience provided. “Getting together with peers to perform excellent music isn’t something that happens every day,” said Pester. “The directors were accomplished musicians that also knew how to make the experience fun.” 

This year, the clinicians were alumni of Concordia, who provided a valuable mix of a desire for excellence and a recognition of the need for fun. For the honor choir, there was Michael Polamaki, a music teacher from Concordia Lutheran High School in Tomball, Texas, and Paul von Kampen, a DMA student at University of Nebraska. For the honor band, there was Jennifer Porath, a music teacher from Concordia Lutheran High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. “I came back because I know firsthand what a transformative experience this can be for the high school students.” said Von Kampen.  

At the end of the day, the choir or band performed a concert that was open to the public that featured a variety of genres. Afterwards, they got to watch Concordia’s A Cappella, and Concert Band perform.  On the overall experience, Paul Von Kampen stated that “I believe that Concordia is an incredibly unique place, and this event is a way to show students what a Christ-Centered music ensemble can be.”  

Interested in being a part of music ensembles at Concordia? Learn how here.