Passing the Baton
Story: Amy Crawford
Photos: Courtesy of Dr. Kurt von Kampen
Dr. Kurt von Kampen’s long-standing leadership of the LCMS Youth Gathering National Honor Choir has formed generations of young musicians in faith and song.
It’s no secret that Concordia University, Nebraska Music Department Chair and Professor of Music Dr. Kurt von Kampen is passionate about guiding and shaping choirs to glorify God through music that points to Christ alone. He has worked with countless choirs at Concordia Nebraska and across the globe at conferences, special events, community gatherings and beyond.
Von Kampen is the fourth conductor in the 87-year history of the Concordia University, Nebraska University A Cappella Choir. Before coming to Concordia Nebraska in 1998, he served as head of the choral program at Concordia University in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and as director of music at Lutheran High School in Westland and Northwest in the Detroit area.
He has directed the LCMS Youth Gathering National Honor Choir at seven LCMS Youth Gatherings. Von Kampen first conducted this choir at the Gathering in 2004 in Orlando, Florida. Since then, he’s conducted the choir for every Gathering except one.
Held every three years since 1980, the LCMS Youth Gathering provides thousands of youth and adults the opportunity to come together as a community of God’s people to be encouraged in their walk with Jesus Christ and learn about the Christian faith and their Lutheran identity. The Gathering provides young people a vision for the vastness of Christ’s church and equips them for vocational service as they continue their walk with Jesus. This event is organized by LCMS Youth Ministry.
Von Kampen said that about two years prior to each gathering, advertising begins regarding auditions for the honor choir, then about six months prior to the Gathering, interested youth are asked to submit video auditions.
“The Gathering wind symphony and choir not only deliver the Word of Christ richly in song, they also provide an enrichment opportunity for the students,” said Director of LCMS Worship Rev. Sean Daenzer. “It takes leaders of great character to help high schoolers produce their most excellent sound while also having an enjoyable experience under pressure. Dr. von Kampen has done such a wonderful job at both. Above all, he takes time to talk about the purpose behind singing and serving at the Gathering. He brings out the best in students as musicians and as Christians.”
Each year, about 250 young people audition for the choir and about 120 are accepted.
“The kids come well prepared and eager to make a joyful noise! They have to make a commitment to be in the choir,” explained von Kampen. “In some cases, singers have to get up earlier than the rest of their youth groups to attend rehearsals. They have always been wonderful, attentive kids, and they always describe participation in the national honor choir as a mountain top experience of the gathering.”
He said he’s enjoyed seeing quite a few of the youth he’s met at past Gatherings end up as students at Concordia Nebraska. He said he always asks his University A Cappella Choir members how many of them were in choir with him at past Gatherings, and quite a few hold up their hands each year.
After directing countless youth in choirs at six Youth Gatherings in Orlando, Houston, San Antonio and New Orleans, von Kampen is passing the director’s baton to his son Dr. Paul von Kampen.
“Dad was fortunate enough to be asked to direct the Youth Gathering choir multiple times since 2004, and he often remarked that he never assumed he’d be asked again until the phone call came in. If I’m fortunate enough to called on for the 2028 gathering, I cannot think of a better way to prepare than to have done this last one with Kurt and Rich,” said Paul. “Both Jeff Held and I got to observe and plan alongside the two men who have made the Gathering choir and wind symphony what it is today. It is a unique challenge that requires the right mix of personality and flexibility that keeps the focus on the music, the students and, most importantly, the Word. What Kurt and Rich did so well was they never made it about themselves.”
Paul was previously the director of music at Crean Lutheran High School in Irvine, California, director of choirs at Lutheran High Northwest in Rochester Hills, Michigan, and adjunct professor of music at Concordia University, Nebraska. He served alongside his dad at this year’s Youth Gathering.
The Gathering wind symphony and choir not only deliver the Word of Christ richly in song, they also provide an enrichment opportunity for the students.
“It was wholly rewarding experience, and I was so proud to work with the other directors and especially the student musician volunteers from Concordia Nebraska and my own students from Concordia St. Paul. It is always overwhelming to realize first hand the amount of work the people in our Synod do to make this event happen. All Glory to God, we pray it will continue for many more decades to come.”
Paul currently serves as director of choral activities and director of church and school engagement through the fine arts at Concordia University, St. Paul. He is the fourth director of the university’s Christus Chorus since its founding by Robert Leininger.
“Out with the old, in with the new!” said Kurt. “I’m happy to hand the baton to Paul. He’ll do a terrific job carrying on what Rich and I started along with the help of Al Loesel. Paul was the assistant director this year and will be the sole conductor of the honor choir for the next gathering. It will be good for recruitment for Concordia St. Paul music since Paul is such a dynamic conductor!”
Kurt said working alongside Concordia University Chicago’s Distinguished Professor of Music and Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair for Music Performance Rich Fischer over the years has been a real treat.
“We had many great discussions over the years and have become best friends,” said Kurt. “I consider conducting the Youth Gathering National Honor Choir to be one of the greatest things I’ve done in my career.”
Praising God through music is a very large part of every LCMS Youth Gathering event. The event concludes with Divine Service with Holy Communion, a service which includes the Gathering wind symphony and choir.
“The efforts of numerous musicians create meaningful opportunities for participants to lift their voices in praise to Jesus. During the Divine Service, the musical leadership offered by the wind symphony and choir is especially significant, as it allows young people to guide their peers in singing and worship,” said Director of LCMS Youth Ministry Mark Kiessling. “Dr. Kurt von Kampen’s exceptional musical direction consistently results in an outstanding Youth Gathering choir. It is remarkable how, in such a short time, he shapes the youth participants into a cohesive and harmonious team. His ability to cultivate community around the shared pursuit of excellent musical leadership is a blessing. Kurt is also a natural collaborator whose joyful spirit and active participation have elevated our overall worship planning to great heights. For me, Kurt’s involvement in Youth Gathering planning for more than 20 years has been a true personal honor.”
Kiessling said LCMS Youth Ministry is deeply grateful for Concordia University, Nebraska’s ongoing investment in the LCMS Youth Gathering. “Over the years, the Concordia Nebraska has provided gifted speakers, dedicated planners and strong support, all of which have contributed to the event’s mission of encouraging young people in their life in Christ.”