The Festival Choir
The Tour Choir
The Concordia Handbell Ensemble
Holy Ground Contemporary Worship Music and Drama Group
The Festival Choir is a mixed-voice, auditioned choir of students, faculty, staff, and community members from throughout Westchester County. The Festival Choir performs major choral masterpieces with orchestra twice each year: Christmas and late spring as part of the Music at Concordia Concert Series.
This past season, the Festival Choir performed Rutter Gloria in November and the Mozart Requiem and Britten Rejoice in the Lamb in April. The Festival Choir is accompanied by the Festival Orchestra, comprised of Concordia students, Concordia faculty, and guest instrumentalists.
The Festival Choir meets on Thursdays from 4:30–6:00pm in the Sommer Center. Dr. Jason Thoms is the Director of the Festival Choir and Orchestra. Students may register for 0.5 credits per semester or may audit the course (MUS 140B). This course is exempt from the overload charge.
The Tour Choir is an auditioned choir which sings music from a wide spectrum of cultures, eras, and styles. The Tour Choir sings for on- and off-campus concerts and worship services, and embarks yearly on a spring tour. The Tour presents its annual “Home Concert” on campus as part of the Music at Concordia Concert Series.
Students in the Tour Choir represent several different academic disciplines, but all share a love of singing and use their gifts to the glory of God. Auditions are held in the spring for returning students and in the first week of school in the fall semester for incoming students and are open to everyone. It is the Music Areas goal to give all students in Tour Choir some amount of scholarship. Please contact the Admissions Office for further details.
In spring 2010, The Tour Choir will tour CT, RI, MA, ME, NH, NY, PA, and Quebec and Ontario, Canada. See the full Tour Schedule.
Tour Choir Worship and Concert Schedule.
The Tour Choir rehearses Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 4:30-6:00pm in the Sommer Center and is always open to visiting students and families to sit in on rehearsal. Dr. Jason Thoms is director of the Tour Choir. Students may register for 0.5 credits per semester or may audit the course (MUS 140A). This course is exempt from the overload charge.
To purchase CD recordings of Concordia choirs, please view our recordings section.
The Concordia Handbell Ensemble
The Concordia Handbell Ensemble began as the result of a generous donation in January 2007. The three-octave set of Schulmerich bells is played by eleven students, who rehearse on Mondays from 3:15 to 4:15pm. Students may enroll for 0.25 credit (MUS 140E) or may choose to audit.
The Handbell Ensemble prepares for Concordia chapels, programs, and community events, and partners with the Concordia choirs for campus performances. It is also available to play for area Lutheran schools and churches. If you would like to get more information, or schedule a visit to your church or school, please contact Deborah Reiss, Director.
Holy Ground–Contemporary Worship Music and Drama Group
This ensemble incorporates both contemporary Christian music and original short dramas to share the Gospel message with people of all ages. Following in a long tradition of groups at Concordia, such as the New Beginning Singers, Mime and Music, and In His Name, the ensemble leads occasional chapel services at Concordia and is available to present programs and chapels at area Lutheran schools and churches.
Holy Ground is open to singers and instrumentalists and rehearses generally one hour a week. If you would like to get more information, or schedule a visit to your church or school, please contact Deborah Reiss, Director.