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 school year, the Festival Choir performed Handel's Messiah on November 21, 2010 and will sing portions of Eiljah on April 10, 2011 at 4pm.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 audit the course (MUS 140B). This course is exempt from the overload charge.
The Tour Choir is an auditioned, mixed voice 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 Choir presents its annual “Home Concert” on campus as part of the Music at Concordia Concert Series.
Students in the Tour Choir represent a wide variety of academic disciplines--from education and music to social work an religion--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.
This year's program is entitle Sing Alleluia. The Tour Choir toured the Mid-South February 24 to March 4, stopping in West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio. The Mid-South Tour Home Concert was held in March in the Sommer Center for Worship and the Performing Arts. In May, The Tour Choir will visit the West Coast, including Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana, and Nevada.
Music scholarships are awarded yearly for both incoming and returning students. Audition CDs are accepted throughout the year from incoming students interested in studying music or auditioning for the Choir. For more information, contact Dr. Jason Thoms, Director of Choral Activities, at 914-337-9300, x2292.
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 rehearsals. 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.