05/21/2026
Why Ireland?
I didn’t know. It just seemed like a place that college students would want to sign on for. Traveling internationally with a wind band is more difficult, to be sure, but even so, getting an SATB choir of 48 balanced and excellent voices, that can represent your collegiate choir and your university to commit to such an expensive undertaking is no small task. I feel blessed and lucky that so many CUNE vocalists wanted to participate in this extraordinary experience. And it WAS extraordinary. We may not have done anything that the world would take note of, but we sang. We sang beautifully, imo. We sang from our hearts and people on the Emerald Isle seemed moved. I hope they were blessed. And they certainly were reminded that they have a Savior they need for hope and for purpose. The comments were beyond the expected or hoped for - too many to quote. (And it would seem braggy). But we were asked back. Next week. Next year. Some year. “Please come back and sing for us again.” The response was palpable and immediate. The Irish didn’t hold back. If they felt something they said something. And it was, as our tour guide, Stuart said often, “lovely.” Thanks be to God.
And the CUNE alumni! What a treat to meet up with those who have gone before and paved the way for opportunities like this. My Concordia students loved hanging with them a couple of times.
And to all those who supported this trip financially, you have no idea what you’ve done. The students say, “thank you” and so do I. And the folks on this Island benefitted the most, I think. They have a piece of Nebraska, Lutheranism, Concordia, and Seward with them forever.
Kurt
