Christmas at Concordia Brings Together Ensembles and Families
Photo courtesy of Sower staff.
By Kenny Paetow
St. John Lutheran Church hosted three days of Concordia’s annual music-packed event, Christmas at Concordia.
This was President Brian Friedrich’s last time opening Christmas at Concordia with a welcome and prayer.
The seats were filled with family members and friends of the performers from all over during every performance. The performing ensembles included Male Chorus, Symphonic Band, Handbell Choir, Brass Ensemble and Cantamus Women’s Choir.
The audience got to join in singing with Handbell Choir and the processing women’s choir on the first hymn, “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” Cantamus then sang “Cradle Hymn.”
A Capella entered through the back as Cantamus lined up on the sides. The whole church was surrounded and infused with Concordia’s choirs singing and handbells ringing.
They had scripture readings of the story of Jesus’ birth throughout the service by different pairs of men and women.
“It was really cool to hear the story of Jesus throughout the concert and the ‘Joy to the World’ was my favorite part of the concert,“ junior Timothy Oberdick said.
The symphonic band played well-known pieces such as “Veni Immanuel,” “Patapan” and “Joy to the World.” In addition the brass ensemble played “Good Christians Friends, Rejoice” and joined in with the band and choirs on “Joy to the World.”
“’Joy to the World’ was so awesome and so cool to hear it with so many people and being surrounded by all the choirs,” junior Michaela Regier said. “I loved it.“
The Male Choir had a choreographed piece that they performed. This included a clapping beat that had a three-part harmony.
Other parts of the concert included hymns from previous years performed by multiple ensembles and the audience. In the back, during Sunday’s service, little girls stood on their pews because they were very engaged in the singing.
The next performances from Concordia are Dec. 12 and 13 by String Ensemble, Chamber Choir and Jazz.
