The Wind Symphony of Concordia University Chicago will perform their home concert on Friday, Nov. 1 at 8 p.m., following tour stops in Wisconsin and Illinois. The Kapelle will perform their fall concert on Sunday, Nov. 3 at 4 p.m. Both concerts are free admission, and will take place in the University’s Chapel of Our Lord.
The Wind Symphony maintains an active concert schedule, having performed in schools, churches and concert halls in 43 states, Canada, Eastern Europe, China and South Africa. They were invited to perform as the showcase ensemble for the New York Wind Band Festival at Carnegie Hall in 2014 and 2019. The Wind Symphony is conducted by Dr. Richard R. Fischer, distinguished professor of music and the Fred and Jane Wittlinger Endowed Chair in Music Performance.
The Wind Symphony’s concert program will include “Second Suite for Military Band” by Gustav Holst; “March of the Trolls” from Lyric Suite, Op. 54 by Edvard Grieg; and music from the film “How to Train Your Dragon” by John Powell. A performance of “Psalm 150” by Jack Stamp will feature student Joel Freiberg as organ soloist, and “Meridian” by Ola Gjeilo will feature student Olivia Wrostad as piano soloist.
On Nov. 3, the Kapelle will perform an evocative All Saints concert program, featuring “Selig sind die Toten” SWV 391 by Heinrich Schütz, and the festive “Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ” BWV 116 by Johann Sebastian Bach. Stirring motets by Carl Schalk, Thomas Gieschen, Walter L. Pelz, Paul D. Weber, Howard Helvey, Rihards Dubra, will be performed, and rousing spirituals by Russell Robinson and Stacey V. Gibbs will round out the program. The audience will be invited to sing with the Kapelle during the concert.
Conducted by Dr. Charles P. Brown, director of choral activities, professor of music and Department of Music program lead, the Kapelle is Concordia University Chicago’s premier choral ensemble, performing repertoire ranging from Renaissance to contemporary music. Known for delivering beautifully sung, thematic programs, the students spread the Gospel message to audiences throughout the U.S. and abroad. Since 2003, the Kapelle has traveled to Argentina, Canada, Chile, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Latvia, Poland, Russia and Scotland.
Concordia-Chicago’s campus is located at 7400 Augusta Street, River Forest, IL. Free off-street parking is available in the University’s parking structure, south of Division Street on Bonnie Brae. ADA-accessible parking is available in the visitors’ lot adjacent to the north side of the University parking structure. Both events will also be streamed online.
For more information, visit the Music Department web page or call 708-209-3060.