Concordia Vocal Jazz choir to embark on fall 2025 tour

From November 20-25, Concordia University, Nebraska’s Vocal Jazz choir will travel around Nebraska and Iowa as part of their fall 2025 tour. Their tour involves a series of concerts, worship services and choral exchanges, where they will perform for another choir and then that choir will perform for them. Their tour also features a performance at the Nebraska Music Education Association’s (NMEA) annual fall conference. 

The Vocal Jazz ensemble was formed in the fall of 2006 and has earned a reputation of excellence in jazz and pop-style choral music. The choir has performed throughout the United States, including performances at places like the Sheldon Performing Arts Center in St. Louis, Missouri, along with on-campus performances each semester. 

Students in the Vocal Jazz choir are representative of a variety of academic studies across the university. Members are chosen by audition, and all are members of the internationally acclaimed A Cappella Choir. 

The choir is under the direction of music department chair Dr. Kurt von Kampen, who also serves as the director of the A Cappella Choir. Von Kampen earned 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.

Professor of music and renowned pianist Dr. Elizabeth Grimpo will perform with the choir. She holds a degree in music education from Concordia University Chicago and two graduate degrees in piano performance from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. 

Lincoln Symphony Orchestra member Stephen Cantarero and Concordia adjunct professor of music Bennett Jandreau will be joining the Vocal Jazz choir for the NMEA performance on string bass and percussion.

Admission to concerts is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to help defray travel costs of the choir. 

Tour Itinerary:

Thursday, November 20

Trinity Lutheran Church, Fremont, Nebraska

Concert 7 p.m.

Friday, November 21

Nebraska Music Education Association

Westbrook, 130 Performance Hall

University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska

Concert 11 a.m.

Calvary Lutheran Church, Sioux City, Iowa

Concert 7 p.m.

Saturday, November 22

Grace Lutheran Church, Wayne, Nebraska

Concert 1 p.m.

Our Savior Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska

Worship 5:30 p.m. (Chamber Choir)

Concert 7 p.m.

Sunday, November 23

Christ Lutheran Church, Norfolk, Nebraska

Worship 8 and 10:30 a.m. (Chamber Choir)

Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

Concert 3:30 p.m.

Monday, November 24

Concordia Lutheran Schools of Omaha, Omaha, Nebraska

Chapel Service time TBD

Elkhorn North High School, Elkhorn, Nebraska

Choral Exchange 12:30 p.m.

Iowa Western Arts Center – Fauble Theater, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Concert 7 p.m.

Tuesday, November 25

Lincoln East High School, Lincoln, Nebraska

9:45 and 11:30 a.m. Choral Exchange

Members of the Vocal Jazz choir include:

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

Lydia Edmonds, sophomore, Gretna, Nebraska, Soprano

Michaela Gibbs, sophomore, Belleville, Illinois, Soprano

Samuel Matthias, senior, Seward, Nebraska, Bass

Yaphet Michael, sophomore, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Tenor

Evan Moloney, junior, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Bass

Melissa Oblinger, sophomore, Tomball, Texas, Alto

Tara Pester, junior, Seward, Nebraska, Alto

Tim Pester, freshman, Seward, Nebraska, Bass

Morgan Rohde, junior, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alto

Joel Smith, senior, Earlham, Iowa, Bass

Samantha Vogel, freshman, North Royal, Ohio, Soprano

Naomi Weber, freshman, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Alto

Micah Zeckzer, sophomore, 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.