Wind Symphony on Tour, Spring 2025

The Concordia University, Nebraska Wind Symphony sets up for a performance at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs on March 7. Photo credit: Michaela Gibbs

By Michaela Gibbs

Day One: Friday, March 7

Photo featured above.

The band had an early morning and departed Seward at 6:30 a.m. Friday. Despite the hail and snow on the way out of Nebraska, they safely made it to Immanuel Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs. They had a great concert with many family members of students in the audience.

Day Two: Saturday, March 8

The Wind Symphony performs at Ortega Middle School in Alamosa, Colorado. Photo credit: Megan Welch

The band departed Colorado Springs Saturday morning and arrived in Alamosa, Colorado, around lunch. They had a few hours to spend in downtown Alamosa before they set up for their concert at Ortega Middle School. The music director at the Alamosa middle and high schools conducted the band’s closing piece. They were then joined onstage by the middle and high school bands to perform a final selection.

Day Three: Sunday, March 9

Christ Lutheran Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Photo credit: Megan Welch

Sunday morning the band split into two groups. Some students attended Trinity Lutheran Church in Alamosa, Colorado, where the clarinet choir and organ student Jacob Huber assisted with the service music. Junior Grace Donnelly led adult Bible study and freshman Danielle Turner helped lead Sunday School. The other students attended St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Monte Vista, Colorado. The brass quintet and organ student Ethan Gillespie assisted with the service music. Seniors Timothy Mars and Abby Kandt led Bible study and Sunday School. After the services, the band departed for Albuquerque, New Mexico, and performed a 7 p.m. concert at Christ Lutheran Church.

Day Four: Monday, March 10

Students pose with gift bags from preschoolers at Immanuel Lutheran School in Roswell, New Mexico. Photo credit: Megan Welch

On Monday morning, the band performed at a school assembly at Christ Lutheran School in Albuquerque for Pre-K through 8th grade students. Then the band departed for Immanuel Lutheran Church in Roswell, New Mexico. The preschool students enrolled at the attached school provided gift bags for all the students. They performed a 6 p.m. concert and then drove three hours to Lubbock, Texas for their hotel that night.

Day Five: Tuesday, March 11

Professor Robert Cody conducts a Wind Symphony rehearsal in San Antonio, Texas. Photo credit: Megan Welch

On Tuesday, the band departed Lubbock mid-morning and spent the day driving to San Antonio where they performed a 7 pm concert at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. There were several family members of students in the audience.

Day Six: Wednesday, March 12

The Low Brass Ensemble plays for a Lenten midweek service at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Austin, Texas. Photo credit: Megan Welch

On Wednesday morning, the band performed a small assembly for the Shepherd of the Hills Day Care. The children’s favorite part was the rendition of the Veggie Tales theme song by freshman tuba players Matthew Frerking and Ben Sams. The band also listened to the children’s performance of “This Is My Commandment.” Before leaving San Antonio, the band spent a few hours in North Star Mall. They then drove to Austin, Texas where the Low Brass Ensemble played in the Lenten midweek service at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The band then performed a 7:30 p.m. concert.

Day Seven: Thursday, March 13

The Wind Symphony stops at Bucc-ee’s in Bastrop, Texas. Photo credit: Megan Welch

On Thursday morning, the band spent a few hours at McKinney Falls State Park before heading to Buc-ee’s where they spent another few hours. After the relaxed morning, the band traveled to Salem Lutheran Church in Tomball, Texas. The church provided a catered dinner including sushi and tiramisu. Then the band performed a 7 p.m. concert.

Day Eight: Friday, March 14

Friday was the band’s free day. They spent 2 hours in Houston’s museum district and went to coffee shops, gardens, museums and restaurants. Afterward, the band drove to Galveston, Texas, where they checked into their hotel and had the rest of the evening free. Students spent the early afternoon on the beach and then chose from many restaurants along the shoreline for dinner.

Day Nine: Saturday, March 15

The band rehearses at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church in Houston, Texas. Photo credit: Megan Welch

The band had a late start to the day, departing the hotel at 2 p.m. and driving back to Houston, Texas, for a 7 p.m. concert at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. They performed in the same space where the Clear Lake Symphony performs its regular concerts.

Day Ten: Sunday, March 16

Professor Robert Cody conducts the Wind Symphony. Photo credit: Megan Welch

The band had an early call time of 6 a.m. in order to reach Mustang, Oklahoma, for their 7 p.m. performance at Christ Lutheran Church. They held a matins service on the bus while they traveled. After the concert, they dispersed to host homes and a hotel.

Day Eleven: Monday, March 17

The band returned to Seward, arriving on campus around 4 p.m.