In the music special “Christmas at Concordia: Gather Us In, O Child of Peace,” Concordia College re-imagines the Christmas message with music embracing peace and reconciliation. The concert marks the 125th anniversary of Concordia College, which was founded by Norwegian immigrants and is located in Moorhead, Minnesota. Under the artistic leadership of world renowned composer and conductor Rene Claussen, four hundred student musicians perform in front of an original mural measuring nearly 200 feet wide. The hour-long program explores through song the themes of virtue in the community, including tolerance, compassion, and unity. Music includes traditional favorites like “Silent Night” and “I Saw Three Ships” to an original composition by Rene Claussen. The Concordia College choirs and instrumental ensembles performing in the special include: The Concordia Choir, a 72-voice a cappella choir which has performed in nearly every major hall, including Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center; the Chapel Choir; Cantabile, which is comprised of sopranos and altos from first-year through senior year; Kantorei, Concordia’s mixed-voice choir comprised of first-year students; and The Concordia Orchestra, an integral part of the annual Concordia Christmas Concerts in December and the Masterworks Concert in the spring.

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