Concordia Nebraska Chamber Choir to open for chamber ensemble Voces8

The Concordia University, Nebraska Chamber Choir will present a prelude performance for world-renowned chamber choral ensemble VOCES8 at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Lincoln, Nebraska on October 4 at 4 p.m.. This performance is a part of the University Chamber Choir’s fall 2026 performance season, which includes multiple performances in various parts of Nebraska.  

VOCES8, the 2026 Opus Klassik winner and Grammy-nominated British vocal ensemble, works to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. The group performs an extensive repertoire on its global tours, both in a cappella concerts and in collaborations with orchestras, conductors and soloists. VOCES8 is the flagship ensemble of the VOCES8 Foundation, a music education charity. The foundation aims to enrich lives, build communities and nurture the next generation of musicians through the transformative power of music.  

The concert is presented through Abendmusik at First Plymouth. This non-profit organization presents a series of free concerts to Nebraska audiences every year. The season includes performances by both local, domestic and international groups. Each concert serves as a fundraiser for a separate non-profit organization that is doing important work in and around Lincoln, Nebraska.  

Tom Trenney, artistic director of Abendmusik and minister of music at First Plymouth, invited the Concordia University Chamber Choir to perform at this concert with the intent to inspire the ensemble members to continue to grow in their artistry and musicianship. 

“We hope that this time of coming together will offer inspiration to the singers in the Concordia Chamber Choir as they continue to grow in artistry and spirit.”

“Our mission with Abendmusik is gathering to experience music that inspires, and we hope that this time of coming together will offer inspiration to the singers in the Concordia Chamber Choir as they continue to grow in artistry and spirit,” said Trenney. 

The University Chamber Choir is under the direction of Music Department Chair Dr. Kurt von Kampen, who also serves as the director of the internationally-acclaimed University A Cappella Choir. Von Kampen has a bachelor’s degree in music from Concordia University, Nebraska, a master’s degree in choral conducting from Oakland University and a doctorate in choral music education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Von Kampen said that this opportunity will provide the students in the ensemble with a chance to be heard by a discerning and musically astute audience. 

“The choir will have front row seats to hear what is arguably one of the finest choral ensembles in the world,” he said. “It’s an honor to be asked to perform as an ‘opener’ for VOCES8. I’m grateful that Tom Trenney thought of us and had confidence that we would be a fitting choice to begin this concert.” 

The University Chamber Choir will perform Philip Stopford’s “Ave Verum Corpus” and a brand-new arrangement of the John Lennon and Paul McCartney hit “Penny Lane” by David von Kampen. Lincoln Symphony Orchestra member Stephen Cantarero will be joining the choir on string bass for “Penny Lane.” 

Members of the University Chamber Choir include: 

Sean Duffy, senior, Kenesaw, Nebraska, Bass 

David Eatherton, junior, St. Louis, Missouri, Tenor 

Lydia Edmonds, junior, Gretna, Nebraska, Soprano 

Lydia Fink, junior, Olathe, Kansas, Soprano 

Michaela Gibbs, junior, Belleville, Illinois, Soprano 

Melissa Oblinger, junior, Tomball, Texas, Alto 

Timothy Pester, sophomore, Seward, Nebraska, Bass 

Jacob Speckhard, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tenor 

Johanna Speckhard, sophomore, Munster, Indiana, Alto 

Samantha Vogel, sophomore, Sussex, Wisconsin, Alto 

Naomi Weber, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alto 

Yeabsira Yidnekachew, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bass 

Micah Zeckzer, junior, New Haven, Indiana, Tenor 

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.