Concordia Vespers

The Concordia University Ann Arbor music department presents the fall 2021 Concordia Vespers on Sunday, November 14.


Join CUAA for the biannual Concordia Vespers on Sunday, November 14 at 5 p.m. in The Chapel of the Holy Trinity. The music department welcomes back the public to this year’s service.

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This fall, Rev. Don Neuendorf from St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor will serve as the guest preacher. The music performed by the Concordia Choir will be an assortment of anthems by Whitacre, Farrant, JS Bach, Tallis, and Stroope.

The event is free to those who are able to attend. Capacity in The Chapel of the Holy Trinity will not be limited, and all attendees are required to wear a mask while indoors per campus policies.

History of Concordia Vespers

Beginning in fall 2018, Concordia Vespers takes place each semester in The Chapel of the Holy Trinity. Placing side by side the proclamation of the Word and important works within a historical liturgical context, Concordia Vespers invites God’s people to respond through singing and prayers, inspired through music and the teaching of God’s Word.

In the past, members of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ann Arbor and Boychoir of Ann Arbor have been a part of this special service that draws God’s people to His grace.

In fall 2020 and spring 2021, the music department created unique solutions to continue the tradition while taking safety precautions due to COVID-19. Last fall, the department produced a video for folks to project in their homes and worship together, virtually. In spring 2021, only a small number of attendees were permitted (particularly, loved ones of participating Concordia Choir members), and the worship services was livestreamed and recorded.

Watch previous Concordia Vespers:


Masterwork of Concordia Vespers

By Brian Altevogt

Many of us spoke or sang the same words in church this week.  The five sections of the Mass, the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei, have been sung or spoken during Christian worship for well over 1,000 years. While most of us have a realistic understanding of how worship music sounded for our parents and grandparents, the incredible longevity of the Mass liturgy allows us to consider how our grandparents’ grandparents’ grandparents would hear the same words.  Music style in worship has changed fairly dramatically in the last half-century, but consider how worship music has changed in the last millennium or more.  Has it mimicked the popular style of the day, as it does in many churches today, or did it more closely follow the classical musical style of the time?

When Josef Haydn was writing the music performed today in Concordia Vespers, the colonists of the United States were firing their first shots in their quest for independence.  Europe was in the late stages of the Age of the Enlightenment, a period that espoused rational thought, science, and religious tolerance above the struggles, pursuits, and work of the common man.  Judging by the musical style of this Classic Era of music, it appears to be a period of civility, as if the problems of the day were handled thoughtfully in dignified discourse.  The attire of the day was formal – men wearing powdered wigs, coats with tails, and polished boots (picture general George Washington).  The music imitates or personifies this elevated style, music that is clean, clear, symmetric, optimistic, and agreeable.  There are sections (the Gloria and the opening of the Credo) that go one step further into music that is undeniably joyful, playful, and spirited.  Contrasting sections, those relating to the penitent sinner (Agnus Dei) and the suffering of Christ (middle portion of the Credo) are given notable weight and gravity, but the buoyant, regal music soon returns.  This music is not about nuance and subtlety, but bold pronouncements, as if the emotional spectrum was strictly binary – feeling this way or that way, but nothing between.

The music has a face of seriousness and reverence, even with the interjections of playfulness.  But, included in this seriousness are moments of incredible beauty.  The ideals of cleanliness and clarity leave space for tremendous lyricism.  This refined beauty is evident throughout, but illustrated immediately as the sopranos spin their opening line and the violins generate a quaint and delicate response.  The height of lyricism is the Benidictus, where Haydn pauses the action and provides a generous spotlight for soprano and organ.  Melody shimmers here in resplendent E-flat major, and the singer is invited to partake in the best of the operatic style of the period.

As is the case with many creative constructions, Haydn and other composers were working within parameters that required at times, blemished solutions.  In an effort to shorten the Mass, Archbishop Colloredo set specific time constraints on the music with the Mass.  To meet the shortened time allotment, composers had to avoid extended musical passages, a fairly crushing blow to the creative spirits of musical artists.  The abbreviated, truncated sections of this Haydn Mass are the direct consequence of the Archbishop’s decree.  Seen against the larger repertoire of Mass settings, it’s nearly comical to hear the brevity applied – the first section (Kyrie) begins and ends before our engines fully engage.  A greater injustice might be the compromises composers struck in their settings of the longer sections of the Mass, the Gloria and the Credo.  These two sections contain many words, and in order to accomplish these long texts, composers would unapologetically overlap the text.  In the Credo, by example, each of the four voice parts of the choir are singing different statements of the creed at the very same time.  So, while Haydn could “check the box” that all of the text was, indeed, sung, the text is entirely unintelligible, falling short of the ultimate goal of the Mass, which is to sing or state confidently and clearly prayers that prepare our hearts to receive our Savior and enable unity within the church.  Such is the case when one stuffs 8 passengers in a 4-passenger car – it can get uncomfortable quickly, but eventually, everyone arrives at the final destination.

Support Concordia Vespers

Experiencing music together in a worship service like Concordia Vespers heightens the senses, which deepens our understanding and increases our faith. Joining with worshipers near and far, young and old, time binds us together in Christ.

“Concordia Vespers is a gift of music to the glory of God… a gift to be shared with everyone!” said Linda Sproul, Director of Donor and Alumni Relations

If you would like to support Concordia Vespers by writing a check, please make payable to “CUAA”, write “Concordia Vespers” on the memo line and mail to:

Office of Advancement

4090 Geddes Rd.

Ann Arbor, MI 48105

You may also make a gift with a credit card on our website: cuaa.edu/give. Type “Concordia Vespers” in the special instructions box.

Thank you to the many generous donors for their support in making Concordia Vespers possible.

Support Vespers

COUNTERPOINT GUILD

Dr. Jonathan and Mrs. Janel Ehrman

Rev. Galen and Mrs. Patricia Grulke

Mr. Michael and Mrs. Patricia Kalmes

Mrs. Judy E Wuckert

Anonymous


BACH MOTIF GUILD

Mr. Andrew and Mrs. Katie Contreras

Mr. Eugene W Haak

Mr. Willis and Mrs. Barbara Hoffmeier

Ms. Nancy Niemela

Mr. Brian and Mrs. Beth Pollatz

Mr. Larry and Mrs. Sandra Seltz

Dr. Linda Speck

Mr. Paul and Mrs. Joann Woodward


ART OF FUGUE GUILD

Mr. Matthew and Mrs. Angela Fremder

Mr. Royce and Mrs. Krista Hartmann

Mr. Mark and Mrs. Amy Ingersoll

Holy Ghost Lutheran Church, Monroe, MI

Mrs. Janice Morrison

Mr. Gary and Mrs. Laura Thomas


WELL-TEMPERED CLAVIER GUILD

Dr. James and Mrs. Elizabeth Eggert

Mr. Michael and Mrs. Susan Fuchs

Mrs. Sally Kennedy

Mr. David and Mrs. Janet Kletzli

Mr. Robert and Mrs. Viola Krug

Rev. Donald and Mrs. Karen Neuendorf

Mr. Richard and Mrs. Karen Penhallegon

Rev. Dr. David and Mrs. Janet Stechholz


CANTATAS GUILD

Mr. Lester and Mrs. Barbara Altevogt

Church Extension Fund MI District

Mr. Bruce and Mrs. Monica M Heissenbuettel

Capt. Philip Klintworth

Mr. Ross and Mrs. Amy Mackenzie

Rev. Dr. John and Mrs. Linda Sproul


Learn more about church work programs at CUAA

Concordia University Ann Arbor offers programs in parish music, Lutheran education, pre-seminary students, and family life ministry with a variety of areas of emphasis. Learn more about CUAA church work programs here!

— Rachel Thoms served on Concordia University's Strategic Communications team from 2015-2022. Any inquiries about this story can be sent to news@cuaa.edu.

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