Concordia University concert is Saturday

The University A Cappella Choir from Concordia University, Nebraska will be traveling through Coeur d’Alene on its annual tour and will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 1700 E. Pennsylvania Ave.

The internationally acclaimed choir of 65 students will perform a repertoire of sacred and secular choral compositions which spans all historical periods and is representative of many cultures.

This year’s concert features the works of Antonio Vivaldi, William Byrd, Max Janowski, Eric Esenvalds, Josu Elberdin, Ivo Antognini, Jeffrey N. Blersch, David von Kampen and others.

The A Cappella Choir has toured the U.S. each year and internationally approximately every four years since its inception in 1939, performing throughout Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia and Mexico. It also has participated in international choral festivals in Australia and Austria, placing first and third respectively.

“The A Cappella Choir strives to perform music at a very high artistic level — music which inspires, instructs and entertains the listener. But the mission of the choir goes beyond mere artistry. The University A Cappella Choir exists to proclaim the Gospel of Christ in song and to honor God with the musical talents the students have been given,” said conductor Kurt E. von Kampen.

Von Kampen earned a bachelor’s degree in music from Concordia University, Nebraska, a master’s degree in choral conducting from Oakland University and a doctorate in choral music education from the University of Nebraska.

Admission to concerts is free. Free-will offerings will be taken at evening concerts to help defray tour expenses.