Concordia University St. Paul Music Department

As the LCMS Institute on Liturgy, Preaching, and Church Music wraps up in Seward, a recital was given today by student representatives from the Concordia University System schools.

Blake Johnson (Pre-Seminary, ‘26) represented CSP, playing a piece by French composer Charles Gounod. Congratulations Blake – You did your Golden Bear family proud!

A dangerous group…!

Four Concordia University Choir conductors walk into a bar…

So fun today to share ideas and joys with choral colleagues from other CUs. Dr. Charles Brown from Concordia, Chicago (Kapelle), Dr. Paul von Kampen from Concordia, St. Paul (Christus Chorus), Rev. Dr. James Marriott of Concordia Texas (University Choir), and vK, the elder (A Ca****la Choir).

If you’re at the Worship Institute in Seward this week come say hi at the exhibits!

What an exciting vision for the future! Music degrees at CSP, especially when coupled with our church worker tuition guarantee, delivers an outstanding education for an equally outstanding value. Future students, come be part of something great!

Announcing Strategic Plan 2030 President Brian Friedrich announces Strategic Plan 2030, Concordia St. Paul's next plan to effectively serve students in a changing higher education marketpl...

Minneapolis-based Cory Wong nails it. True for rock bands, ensembles, and Irish step-dancing troupes (probably).

A monumental day for our very own Noah Gundermann! Noah contributed greatly to both the musical and spiritual life on campus – he is a man of deep faith who invested much of his time in school to shepherding others.

God bless you in your new ministry, Noah!

Noah Gundermann was commissioned and installed as the Director of Parish Music at St. John's Lutheran Church in Buffalo on June 30. We rejoice with Noah and the members of St. John's as they sing praises to the Lord!

Pictured: Rev. Ryan Clark, Noah Gundermann, and Rev. Chris Ryan

Some exciting things happening on campus this summer!

300+ students are currently on campus for Admitted Student Day which means it's a great time to explore majoring or participating in music! Music ensembles at CSP are open to ALL students.

Our Church Work Tuition Guarantee ensures that Pre-Seminary students (who can also major in Music!) pay $0 in tuition, while other Church Work majors (including Music Education!) are capped at $6,000 per year.

If you or someone you know should be participating or majoring in music at CSP, feel free to reach out to us on Facebook or email Dr. Paul von Kampen ([email protected]) for more information.

Concert opportunity! CSP is delighted to host the Twin Cities Bronze handbell ensemble this Saturday, May 18th, at 12 Noon in the Buetow Music Center. Our very own Annette Engelmann (CSP Handbell Ensemble director and alum!) is a member of the group.

From their website: "For over twenty years, Twin Cities Bronze has engaged audiences with innovative performances in concert halls, churches, schools and community centers around the country. These concerts and educational outreach workshops inspire audiences by showcasing the possibilities of rhythmic energy and sensitive musical interpretation and the expertise of this excellent musical ensemble. Twin Cities Bronze performances include handbell and hand chimes plus collaborations with other instruments and media."

If you miss them on the 18th, you can catch them at Oak Grove Presbyterian Church in Bloomington at 5 PM on the 19th of May.

A huge congratulations to Mrs. Rebecca Fritz and her choirs at Concordia Academy for an incredible Spring Concert last night. The Lord was praised and great music was made!

CA and CSP were one and the same until 1968 (!!) when the high school moved out of St. Paul and changed their name to Concordia Academy. We’re excited to see what future collaborations can bring to both schools!

A great clinic today with The A Ca****la Choir from Waukee High School! They wrap up their spring tour this weekend and head to contest in a few days. Many thanks to their fine director, Jeff Knutson, and best of luck the rest of the year!

An excellent student recital this afternoon featuring 17 of our CSP student-musicians! Congratulations to all!

Two huge instrumental music events this weekend! Sunday, April 28 is the Spring Instrumental Concert (featuring the band and the string ensemble) at 7:00 PM, and the annual Night of Percussion on Monday night, the 29th, at 8:00 PM. Both events are in the Buetow Auditorium and are free to the public. Hope to see you there!

THIS SATURDAY! Don't miss the Vox 9 Vocal Jazz Choir in concert at 3:30 PM in the Buetow Auditorium, free admission. Joining Vox 9 on the bill is The Improv Ensemble - hope to see you there!

What a night! Christus Chorus wrapped up the 2023–24 performance year with a spectacular home concert in front of family and friends. A tremendous “thank you” to everyone who has come out and supported the choir this year. It’s great to be a CSP Golden Bear!

TONIGHT! 7:30 PM Christus Chorus home concert in the chapel on campus. See you there!!

The University Christus Chorus home concert is ONE WEEK from tomorrow! Friday April 12, 7:30 PM in the Graebner Memorial Chapel on campus. The concert is free and a freewill offering will be taken. Hope to see everyone there!

The University Christus Chorus home concert is ONE WEEK from tomorrow! Friday April 12, 7:30 PM in the Graebner Memorial Chapel on campus. The concert is free and a freewill offering will be taken. Hope to see everyone there!

Home safe and sound. Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow!

About last night!

We had an incredible penultimate night of tour - Prof. von Kampen’s doctoral recital at Saint Paul’s Methodist (Thank you UNL and SP for hosting!) was filled with friends and family - literally.

Then the choir enjoyed a late group dinner, pictures by a train, and perhaps the best acoustics in Lincoln.

Tonight we sing at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in St. Cloud, MN and return home to CSP.

Make your plans now to catch the home concert on April 12, 7:30 PM, in the Graebner Memorial Chapel on campus!

Last night the choir sang at Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church - Lee's Summit, MO to a wonderfully receptive audience. Many thanks to Pastor Jon Gruen and CSP’s own Anna Gruen for making this concert possible.

Just two days left: Lincoln, NE tonight (7 PM, Saint Paul Methodist), and St. Cloud, MN tomorrow (6:30 PM, Holy Cross Lutheran)!

Worship @ St. John’s Lutheran Church in Hannibal, MO:

✔️Three songs by their school students
✔️Three songs by Christus Chorus
✔️THREE baptisms!

A wonderful, celebratory morning with Pastor Eric Carlson and his congregation in Missouri. Onwards to Zion Harvester for a 4 PM afternoon concert.

The Christus Chorus had a special guest today at Immanuel Lutheran Church in St. Ansgar - Henry Friedrich, father of current CSP President Brian Friedrich!

Choir Tour Night #1 ✔️

Many thanks to our partners in Christ - Hope Lutheran High School and St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, specifically Thomas Johnson and Rocky Sandcork. We will be back!

And we’re off! 2024 Christus Chorus Tour is underway - off to Winona!

Next Tuesday night the Christus Chorus will be in LINCOLN, NEBRASKA! The choir will be pulling double duty as they spread the Gospel while also helping Prof. von Kampen present his third and final doctoral recital as he completes a DMA in Choral Conducting at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln.

Saint Paul United Methodist Church has been a great partner to UNL while renovations have been occurring all over the music buildings on campus. The Christus Chorus is honored to perform in such a fine space! 7 PM. Be there!

The CSP Concert Band home tour concert is tonight! 8 PM in the Buetow auditorium. Come welcome the concert band home after their fantastic tour throughout the Midwest. The CSP String Ensemble is also on the program. We'll see you there!