For Concordia’s music students, the spring semester always begins with a strong sense of excitement as they begin rehearsing music to take on tour over spring break. Rehearsals possess an increased sense of motivation as students learn the music they will share while on the most anticipated music trip of the year.
In previous years, Wind Symphony and Kapelle have each embarked on a 10-day tour over spring break. This year, the Wind Symphony will be on tour from Feb. 28 to March 4, and the Kapelle will be on tour from March 5-9, meaning each tour is only for half of the duration of spring break.
While this change comes as a surprise to students, according to music department director Charles Brown, D.M.A., it had been in discussion since before COVID-19.
“As the caretaker of ensembles, my overall concern is that students come back feeling like it was a great experience,” said Brown. “We’re just doing our best to adapt to the times, and considering how we can maximize the experience for everybody in an efficient way.”
Because the trips do not overlap, students have the opportunity to participate in both ensembles. However, they currently rehearse at the same time, though the directors are willing to share students and work out an agreement.
“Right now, Dr. Fischer and I are just communicating on how to do the job share,” said Brown. “It will get more intense about three weeks before the tour, but right now we are still figuring out our repertoire.”
Students who perform in both groups will have to learn two sets of music, though they might not perform every piece with each ensemble. Allowing students to perform in both groups allows the ensembles to perform music they might not have enough players for otherwise, and also allows the students to experience both groups.
Sophomore Olivia Wrolstad primarily sings in Kapelle, but plays the piano as well. She will be going on both the Wind Symphony and Kapelle tours.
“I am looking forward to being able to play my main instrument which is piano, as usually there aren’t many opportunities for pianists to play in a larger ensemble,” said Wrolstad. “The most overwhelming part is having to learn twice as much music, but the tours themselves will be enjoyable.”
“I asked the students point blank if they were up for the challenge,” said Wind Symphony director Richard Fischer, D.M.A. “I wanted to make sure they actually wanted the experience, and they weren’t just doing it to help us out.”
Because each ensemble is only on tour for half of the spring break, it means that students who do not perform in both groups will have the opportunity to rest before coming back to finish the semester.
“Over the years, we’ve gotten feedback from professors that students were coming back to the spring semester exhausted from the hard work and fun of tour,” said Leininger. “Musicians and directors will get a little more rest over their spring break, which is always good.”
“I was not upset about the tour shortening,” said junior Wind Symphony trombonist Noah Clark. “I appreciate having more freedom for half of my spring break.”
Fischer has gone on 10-day tours for 50 of his 51 years and relishes the opportunity to share his ensemble’s music with as many people as possible.
“I don’t live to have the time off, I live to work hard and to present music to as many people as possible, and to inspire as many young people as we can,” said Fischer. “Now we have less of that.”
Aside from providing student musicians with a great experience, music tours are instrumental in recruiting students, engaging with alumni, and advertising for CUC.
“I knew we would have to stay closer to home and focus on the Midwest, which is always exciting as we have a lot of alumni here,” said Leininger. “The Midwest is also great for recruiting new Cougars!”
Usually each ensemble performs at a few high schools while on tour in order to establish interest in CUC’s music programs.
“This definitely will create challenges in recruiting more musicians to attend Concordia,” said junior bass clarinetist Ruth Eatherton. “We are taking more of the appeal to do music away from our school.”
Other universities may be shortening their spring break music tours as well.
“I’ve learned from my music tour manager colleagues that a lot of colleges and universities have had to cut back, or even cut touring altogether,” said tour manager and planner Rachel Leininger. “CUC still supports music tours, and that’s awesome.”
“We’ll make the best of what we’re given,” said Kapelle junior Emma Pflughoeft. “I think that the benefits of students being able to perform in each group would be such a great experience for everyone.”
“Tour is and always will be fulfilling to me, but the fulfillment does have to do with how we reach people through the gift of music,” said Fischer. “Now we have fewer audiences to have love and empathy for.”
Following the tour, Brown intends to collect student feedback on the new tour format to plan tours in the future.
