Concordia University Wisconsin's two premier vocal ensembles, Kammerchor and Selah, will commemorate the culmination of the church year during the 36th annual "Christ The King" Celebration on Sunday, Nov. 17 at 3:30 p.m. in the Chapel of The Christ Triumphant, 12800 North Lake Shore Drive, Mequon.
Dr. Alexa Doebele directs both Kammerchor and Selah, the latter a select, women’s ensemble numbering 26. A mixed choir, Kammerchor has 34 members this semester.
“Since our Kammerchor tour next March takes us to Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic, our ‘Christ The King’ repertoire is comprised of music by composers from those countries as well as American composers,” said Doebele, an associate professor of music and director of choral activities.
A week prior to the “Christ The King” celebration, a Saturday, Nov. 9 concert at 3:30 p.m. features The Alleluia Ringers, The Chapel Ringers and Civic Chorale, directed by Professor Mark Bloedow. Dr. Elizabeth Green is the accompanist for an event that highlights seasonal choral and handbell music.
Among the selections being performed by Kammerchor during the “Christ The King” Celebration are:
- “Down in the River to Pray,” an American folk song arranged by Marc Hafso
- “Rorando coeli,” (Jan) Campanus Vodnansky, Czech composer
- “Morgengesang,” Max Reger, German composer
- “An Anthem for Thanksgiving,” William Billings, American composer
- “E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come,” Paul Manz, American composer
- “Laudetur Jesus Christus – Bohuslav Matej Cernohorsky, Czech composer
- “Praise to the Lord, the Almighty,” Hugo Distler, German composer
- “A Prayer of Compassion,” Gwyneth Walker, American composer
- “Now if the Hour of Darkness Past,” Daniel Pinkham, American composer
Selah will be singing a variety of pieces from different time periods, including:
- “Agimus tibi gratias”
- “Confitemini Domino”
- “Bringet her dem Herrn”
- “Da pacem Domine,” composed by CUW senior David Schotte. The piece by the Parish Music major from Preston, Kansas was the winner of the 2019 Student Composition Competition sponsored by the Wisconsin Choral Directors Association. “While I had ideas for the composition in my head beforehand, I set pencil to paper and composed the entire piece in one day last November,” noted Schotte.
- “Peace Like a River”
- “No Time”
Tickets for either concert, available one hour before the performances in the front of the chapel, are $8 for adults and free for youths 17 and under.
The final concert of the fall semester is the annual “Christmas at Concordia” Friday and Saturday, December 6-7 at 7:30 p.m. This annual yuletide celebration of music showcases all student music ensembles. Advance tickets, at $20 for adults, are required by calling 262-243-4243 or e-mailing Kelsey Flath, at kelsey.flath@cuw.edu. While the concert is free to youths 17 and under, everyone needs a ticket.
For further information on Concordia’s music department, click here.
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