The joyful sound of acclaimed musicians and choirs will stir the senses at the 2019 Concordia Seminary Concert Series. A total of 14 on-campus performances is set throughout the 2019–20 academic year. All performances are free and open to the public.
“The Concordia Seminary Concert Series is our gift of music, as both art and proclamation, to the St. Louis community,” said Dr. James Marriott, Kreft Chair for Music Arts and director of Musical Arts at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. “We are thrilled to offer a significant and eclectic range of concerts this year, each featuring unique and professional artistry. I am blessed to have personally witnessed each of these artists in performance — each one of them will make a powerful and profound contribution to our celebration of music as art and theology.”
Opening Weekend Hymn Festival: [1] The Concert Series begins with the Opening Weekend Hymn Festival at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25, 2019, in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Presented at the conclusion of the Seminary’s Orientation week, the festival welcomes new and returning students to campus for the upcoming academic year. The concert will feature guest artist Dr. Jeffrey Blersch [2], professor of music and university organist at Concordia University, Nebraska, Seward. An ensemble choir of students, faculty and staff, along with musicians from across the St. Louis region, also will perform.
Valparaiso University Chorale Concert: [3] At 7 p.m. Sunday, March 1, 2020, the internationally acclaimed Valparaiso University Chorale from Valparaiso, Ind., will present its Spring Tour Concert in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. This selective ensemble is recognized as one of the premier Lutheran collegiate choirs. Dedicated to performing works that celebrate the university’s Lutheran heritage, the choir has been honored with invitations to perform around the world. The performance will be directed by Christopher M. Cock [4], chorale conductor and director of the Bach Institute at Valparaiso University.
Organ and Carillon Concert: [5] The Seminary will host a two-part organ and carillon concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 26, 2020, featuring Dr. Laura Ellis [6], professor and associate school director in the School of Music at the University of Florida. This two-part concert will be split between the outside venue of the Seminary campus for the carillon portion of the event and the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus for the organ recital.
After Chapel Concerts: [7] Featuring a variety of artists and instruments, the After Chapel Concert Series represents another opportunity to enrich the musical life of the Seminary community. These performances will be held from 9:55 to 10:15 a.m., directly following morning services, in the balcony of the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus. Six concerts will be held throughout the academic year:
- Monday, Sept. 30, 2019: [8] Dr. Scott Hyslop, harpsichord.
- Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2019: [9] Dr. James Marriott, organ.
- Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2019: [10] Christina Schempf, horn.
- Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020: [11] Erica Mertz, saxophone.
- Tuesday, March 10, 2020: [12] Laudamus, Concordia Seminary’s premier touring choir.
- Tuesday, April 14, 2020: [13] Ryan Edinger, piano/organ.
Summer Carillon Concerts: [7] The Summer Carillon Concerts will occur at 7 p.m. every Tuesday in June 2020 and will frequently feature international artists. Attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and picnics and to enjoy the unique concerts in a beautiful setting.
A freewill offering will be taken at each performance. Learn more at csl.edu/concertseries [14].
About Concordia Seminary
Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) [15]. To learn more, visit csl.edu [16].