The Wind Symphony of Concordia University Chicago will perform their home concert on Friday, March 14 at 8 p.m., following tour stops in Michigan and Indiana. The Kapelle will perform their home concert on Sunday, March 16 at 4 p.m., following tour stops in Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. 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 “Blessed Are They” from “A German Requiem” by Johannes Brahms; “Conversations with Matisse” by Robert W. Smith; “Jitterbug!” by Robert Buckley; “Hypnotic Memories” by Rossano Galante; Symphonic Dance #3 “Fiesta” by Clifton Williams; and “Be Thou My Vision” by David Gillingham. Featured soloists on various pieces throughout the evening will be Olivia Wrolstad on piano, Josiah Gerlach on alto saxophone, Christian Salemink on trumpet and Chris O’Hara on trumpet.

Two days later, the Kapelle will perform their program, “Return to the Lord, Your God,” which refers to the title of their opening piece, written by Henry V. Gerike. Other works to be performed include the hymns “The Royal Banners Forward Go” by Paul D. Weber, and “Surely He Has Borne Our Grief” by Joel Freiberg and Jeremiah Schultz, to which the audience will be invited to sing along. Rounding out the program will be Sergei Rachmaninoff’s “We Hymn Thee” Op. 31, No. 12, sung in Church Slavonic; “Great God Almighty” by Stacey V. Gibbs; and numerous others.

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 at CUChicago.edu/live.

For more information, visit CUChicago.edu/music or call 708-209-3060.