With the holiday season approaching and rehearsals becoming more frequent and more intense, the Concordia Choir still finds time to have a little fun. Each year, the Concordia Choir has a costume contest around Halloween to show off the creativity within the ensemble.

Here, we see the girls revealing their Halloween spirit.  A baby, Pippy Long Stocking, and many other costumes entered the competition.  However, Rachel Boyer won the best female costume as Opera. Doesn’t she look fabulous!!  As a gift, Rachel left out prizes for the whole choir, including a new (toy) car!!

The creativity continues with the guys turn.  Austin Powers, Tigger, and a Reno 911 Cop made an appearance to rehearsal.  However, it was the trio of Kevin Brewer, Andrew Bettenhausen, and Michael Brookens with their impersonation of the Lolli-pop Guild that stole the show.  Congratulations, men!

Towards the end of the 2008-09 academic year, Dr. Clausen said something in rehearsals about a composition for Symposium that the Choir would be performing.  After a wonderful tour to the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii, recording sessions, and the Red River flood, some song we’d be doing the following year was the least of my worries at the time.  I went through the summer oblivious to the work that had to be done straight from the start of rehearsals.

After auditions and callbacks, our first rehearsal presented the reality of our performance commitments.  Soundscapes, written by Dr. Clausen and composed for Concordia’s 2009 Symposium Where is the We in an iWorld, is scored for live choir with piano and recorded audio of nature sounds and vocals.  The piece was fitting to be performed at the opening Symposium event as it addresses the relationship between humans and technology; however, this meant the Choir was to perform this highly demanding contemporary piece within a week’s time.

Dr. Clausen expressed his concerns openly in rehearsal, saying he was unsure if the Choir would be prepared enough in time, but we took this as a challenge.  I love being a member of the Concordia Choir because of the commitment and dedication the group as a whole puts forth.  And after only a week’s time of rehearsals, the Choir was ready to perform.

The night of Symposium, the Choir took the stage as President Jolicoeur read the program notes to Into the Wild, the first movement of Soundscapes.  The house lights dimmed to black as a tranquil blue back-lit the Choir.  The piece begins with a single loon call and melds into the rich tone of the Choir.  Throughout, the play and juxtaposition between the live music and recorded audio transported the audience from Memorial Auditorium to the wilderness during the rise and fall of a thunderstorm.  With the final loon call to end the piece, the lights blacked out and returned the audience from their aural adventure.

I am fortunate to sing under the direction of such a brilliant musician and composer as Dr. Clausen.  His vision and creativity is endless.  And it is a testament of the Choir to perform a multi-dimensional piece in such little time.  With a first performance of this magnitude, I am nothing but excited for the many other opportunities and musical experiences I will have this year.

Keep an eye on ConcordiaRecordings.com for a new recording which may or may not include one of the following pieces recently recorded during our last session. The Choir records every year, and then typically assembles CDs by genre.

Choral Concerto – Movement I by Alfred Schnittke
The Peaceable Kingdom by Randall Thompson
Noel by Todd Smith
Wanting Memories by Ysaye M. Barnwell
No Ka Beauty O Honokohau by Herb Mahelon
Ka Huliau’ana arranged by Randie Fong
Nunc Dimittis- No. 5, All-Night Vigil by Sergei Rachmaninoff
Exaltation from Celestial Spring by F. Melius Christiansen
The King of Love arranged by Paul J. Christiansen
Our Father by Alexandre Gretchaninoff
Lux Aurumque by Eric Whitacre

Stay informed of new recordings via email by joining our email list:

http://www.concordiarecordings.com/subscribe2/index.mvc?

While I never asked Kyle for his permission, I’m hoping he won’t mind that I’m sharing his email (and Dr. Clausen’s) with the blog audience

Dear Choir,

As you already know, the Fargo-Moorhead community is in desperate need of help with sandbagging for the current flood situation. I was out today, and there is still A LOT of work that needs to be done to save homes from the rising river. Since we do not have classes again tomorrow or choir all week, I hope all of us can find some time to help those in need. Even if it is just for a couple hours during our normal rehearsal time, I guarantee you that the service you are providing is truly appreciated by everyone affected by the rising waters. As a choir, we have established a goal to help those who are less fortunate. Let’s do that tomorrow. Get out there and not only show our incredible work ethic as Concordia students, but also as members of The Concordia Choir. Thank you for your time, and thank you to all of you that have been helping already! I hope to see all of you out in the community tomorrow!

-Kyle Peltola

- – - – - – - – - -

Hello Choir:

This is a difficult time for the FM area–fighting the flood is an important act of sacrifice in a time of emergency, so I first want to second Kyle’s plea for your serious consideration of giving some of your time to the sandbagging effort in our community.  Sometimes your voices change lives—sometimes your hands change lives.

~ Dr. Clausen

- – - – - – - – - 

Read more about Fargo Moorhead flooding here: http://www.inforum.com/event/tag/tag/flooding/

credit Sheldon Greene photo

I have sung the words “I know that I have been blessed again and over again” countless times during many wonderful concerts with The Concordia Choir, but now as I sit here back in the wonderfully frigid Moorhead, Minnesota after a fantastic tour, I truly understand and feel the meaning of those words.

For the past three years I have been the envy of most of my peers at Concordia College because I have had the privilege of being raised on the island of Oahu in Hawaii.  I was also fortunate enough to graduate from Kamehameha Schools, a unique private school in that its purpose is to provide opportunity, Hawaiian culture and a western education exclusively to the Native Hawaiians in the hopes that our dying race can become prominent members in society. 

Fast forward to my college years:  I knew I was going to attend Concordia College simply because more than anything in the world, I wanted to be a member of the Concordia Choir.  I knew of Dr. Clausen’s work as a composer and desperately wanted to be a part of a choir whose musical traditions were as rich as the culture I came from.  I knew this goal of mine meant I would be leaving my home, not able to return often because of the distance.  I knew I would miss my youngest siblings growing up, and although I miss my ohana (family) every day, I truly believe this is where I belong.

Being able to return home with 72 of my fellow musicians and friends was one of the biggest blessings I could ever receive.  Naturally, I was excited to share my culture and my home with them, hoping that they would love it as much as I did, and I am confident they did. 

I have been blessed with the opportunity to sing in my own language ‘Olelo Hawai’i not only with my choir mates, but with my fellow native Hawaiians.  There was so much mana (spiritual power) in the air and you could just feel the uniting of two cultures; it was truly magical.  My family was more than delighted to watch the Concordia Choir perform at St. Andrews Cathedral and my grandmother was moved to the point where she gave a standing ovation during the first half of the concert. 

The memories of this tour will truly remain in my heart forever, even when I think back on all the events I am moved to tears.  Mahalo nui loa Concordia Choir for being my Ohana (family) here in Moorhead.  Mahalo Dr. Clausen for reminding me in choir ever day that there is something in Moorhead worth enduing the frigid winters.  Mahalo Gordon for planning this tour.  Mahalo to everyone who supported the Concordia Choir (administration, fans, etc.).  Last but not least, mahalo Ke Akua (God) for reminding me that I truly have been blessed again and over again.

  ~ Ashley H.

The choir decided to leave Hawaii with a bang by throwing a cookout party at a park by the ocean our last night in Maui. The meal was organized by Team Awesome, which consisted of Grant Vanderford, Michael Schaefer, Mackenzie Kane, Alyssa Gronewald, Brittany Gronewald and me, Katie Bleskacek. We had quite a job to do since planning an entire meal for 75 isn’t easy – especially with how much those basses eat! So the six of us took on the grocery store and about an hour later came out successfully with two overfilled carts, one basket and half of the money we were given – talk about efficiency in a variety of ways! Team Awesome had a blast getting everything set up – cutting the delicious fresh fruit, tossing the salad, and cooking the burgers and hot dogs – but the best part was enjoying the feast all together! After two weeks of getting to know everyone in a variety of ways – from brilliant concerts, to “bus crabbies,” to fun times on the beach – the party was the perfect way to wrap up an amazing tour. However, what many people don’t know is the indirect impact the choir made that evening. After we had cleaned everything up and most people had left to return to the hotel, Team Awesome was contemplating what to do with the leftover food. Having seen some people walking around the park during our party, we decided to offer some food to them. One lady was not interested in a burger, but was more than happy to accept the salad and the dressings. She told us a little bit about the awful poverty situation in Hawaii and thanked us in so many ways – her last means of expressing her gratitude being yodeling because she said that she had no more words. She had heard us singing and said that she had stayed around a little bit just to hear more because she enjoyed it so much. What a surprise to hear we had made such an impact without even knowing it. The rest of the food we gave to a family that was loitering nearby, and the mother was so thankful that she offered her cigarettes – the only thing she had to offer at that time. Though we turned her down politely, she continued to show her gratitude through hugs and many words of thanks. This experience was a real example of the difference our choir makes, not only through music, but through our actions as well. I could not be more proud to say I am part of a choir that has such an incredible influence in the lives of others around the world.

~ Katie B.

Now that I’ve had some time to process all the wonderful experiences of choir tour, one event that definitely sticks out from all the rest is the Hawaiian that we attended at Calvary by the Sea Lutheran Church. In all of my history classes through the years I never learned much about Hawaii, its history or its culture, which is why I enjoyed the presentation so much. It was fascinating to hear all the stories from the past and the important historical events, but what really had an impact on me was the music and the dance. The relaxed and serene style of the music combined with meaningful lyrics and dance movements that expressed the lyrics really moved me and allowed me to connect with a culture that is very different than my own. This experience also got me thinking about the role music has in our culture here in the predominantly Scandinavian Lutheran Midwest. Though many are too stoic to dance or express themselves through any form of movement, they are still very connected to the traditional Lutheran songs that are a key reflection of our culture. This idea really set in for me when I compared the reactions of our various audiences: the way that the audiences in Hawaii reacted to our Hawaiian piece, Ka Huliau ‘Ana, was the same way the audiences at Pacific Lutheran University and at our Home Concert at Concordia reacted to Beautiful Savior – with big smiles and bright eyes that reflected their pride and joy. This marvelous experience was not only beneficial for me to learn about Hawaiian culture and gain an appreciation for it, but to heighten my appreciation for my own culture and what it means to me.

~ Katie B.

Incredibly overwhelmed in a magnificent way is basically the only phrase I can put together to describe how I was feeling the night of the concert in Maui – our last concert of the abroad part of tour before heading back to the homeland.

It had been another busy day of travel and exchanges with various choirs, followed by a rushed dinner and concert preparation, before we all seemed to settle in for devotionals before taking the stage. We gathered outside the backdoor of the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, enjoying another warm Hawaii evening garnished with the stereotypical refreshing breeze, and Andrew Beard, the bass section leader, helped us gain center and focus through a devotional. I feel awful saying this, but I do not remember specifically what Andrew said, but I do know that it had to be something amazing in order to get me thinking and move me in a way that would jumpstart my pensive mindset.

I was off to the side a bit and everyone was intensely focused on Andrew, which facilitated my spying… I simply just looked around the members of the choir and allowed my mind to freely race. As my thoughts developed I noticed a pattern – I was looking at each person, making note of their major (if I knew it), other interests and hobbies they may have and what I had learned about them on tour. Majors ranged from music to science to business to communications, other interests and hobbies spanned various sports to extra-curricular music activities to history-buffs and artists. As for what I had learned about them on tour, it was as simple as their favorite color or as personal as an extremely embarrassing moment. Essentially, after making mental notes of all of these observations, I became fully aware of the extreme diversity that exists in the choir. Sure there are various common interests here and there, but overall each person is very unique in his/her own way.

Also, with such an array of personalities there is always the chance of a little bit of conflict between people, especially when spending so much time together. However, at the end of the day we all come together to do what we love – sing. All differences and conflicts are left at the door and everyone works hard as a group to achieve a common goal. Sure this may sound simple as I’m writing it out here, but think of it in the context of our world that is stuck in a spiral of turmoil, where brothers are fighting brothers and peace and unity are only in dreams.

Every one of us, as soon as we put on that royal blue velvet robe, is sacrificing and making the commitment to work together. Why? Because making music is the one level that we all meet and see eye-to-eye on. Because we are willing to sacrifice 7.5 hours a week of homework and socializing time to rehearse. Because we want to share with others the outcome of our passion combined with hard work. Because there is nothing equal to the feeling of accomplishment and success after a brilliant concert. Because not only of the difference it makes and the meaning it has in our lives, but because of the same effect it has on our audience.

The list goes on… Overall, it was proven to me that there is nothing like music to bring people together. As Dr. Clausen says, it comes full circle – we do what we love and enjoy so that people may love and enjoy what we do. If we as a choir, in all our diversity, can come together for a shared purpose that is enjoyable for us all and for those around us, it gives me hope for the future and what we will be able to do because of such experiences. 

~Katie B.