Join the Concordia Wind Ensemble and Orchestra in a free festive celebration of the season, including classical masterworks and beloved traditional fare.
Tomorrow’s Christmas Concert by the Concordia Wind Ensemble and Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. in the Black Box is set to be a delightful event. Featuring a diverse program with compositions by Brooke Pierson, Alfred Reed, Pyotr Tchaikovsky, and Leroy Anderson, as well as contributions from student conductors Ben Kletzli, Aaron Halboth, Calista Bickel, and Brooklyn Keele, it promises to be an engaging and festive evening. The concert is free of charge, and donations are encouraged to support the Kreft Arts programs at CUAA. The concert will be livestreamed, so you can enjoy the concert from anywhere!
Learn about the Student Conductors:
Ben Kletzli is a senior at Concordia University Ann Arbor pursuing degrees in computer science and music with a focus on cello performance. Ben picked up the cello at age 5 and continued to play it ever since, enjoying lessons with various teachers across the years. He has performed repertoire ranging from the Baroque period to modern compositions by living composers as a member of several orchestras and chamber ensembles, including the Detroit Symphony Youth Orchestra. As part of that group, he has performed the pieces he is conducting tonight as a member of the pit orchestra for the Ballet Americana production of Nutcracker. One of Ben’s favorite things to do is look for a new challenge in the world of cello repertoire.
Brooklyn Keele is a senior Secondary English Education major with a minor in Music. She has been a member of the Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and Marching Band all four years of her academic career at Concordia. Brooklyn has served as the Cardinal Regiment Drum Major for the past two years. Last year, Brooklyn represented CUAA at the CBDNA Intercollegiate Band. She would like to thank her parents, her best friend Megan, her boyfriend Luke and his family for their continued support. A special thank you to Dr. Perrine for everything over the four years at Concordia; you’re the best!
Aaron Halboth is a senior church music major in the pre-seminary program. He has played bassoon since the sixth grade and has participated in the band and orchestra all four years at Concordia. He also sings with both of the school’s choirs and studies organ as his primary instrument. After graduation, Aaron is excited to marry his fiancée Meg and then move to St. Louis to attend Concordia Seminary next year.
Calista Bickel is currently a senior at Concordia University Ann Arbor double majoring in Music and Psychology and minoring in Contemporary Christian Music. Although piano is her primary instrument, she enjoys taking organ lessons as well. Calista is involved in worship arts, choir, and wind ensemble here on campus. Her time at Concordia has been a key factor in fostering her musical skills and love for music. Following graduation in the spring, Calista plans to pursue a master’s degree in Clinical Social Work while continuing to utilize her God-given musical abilities at various churches in her community.
* denotes student conductor
Concordia Wind Ensemble will perform:
The Beginning of All Things (2023) by Brooke Pierson (b. 1987)
*Lincolnshire Posy (1937) by Percy Grainger (1882-1961)
2. Horkstow Grange
6. The Lost Lady Found
*Away in a Manager (2012) arranged by Tom Wallace
*Concert Suite from The Polar Express (2004) by Alan Silverstri (b. 1950) and arranged by Jerry Brubaker
Russian Christmas Music (1944) by Alfred Reed (1921-2005
Concordia Orchestra will perform:
Symphony no. 38 in D Major, K. 504 – “Prague” (1786) by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (1756-1791)
- Adagio – Allegro
*The Nutcracker Suite, Op. 71a (1892) by Pyotr Tchaikovsky (1840-1893)
- Marche
- Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy
- Russian Dance (Trepak)
Fantasia on Greensleeves (1934) by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
A Christmas Festival (1950) by Leroy Anderson (1908 – 1975
The concert is also livestreamed here.
Want to learn more about the different ensembles?
We have a large variety of ensembles that you can choose from at Concordia. Whether you’re interesting in a choir, an instrumental group, contemporary worship or classical music, you can choose the ensemble that best suits you.