2022-23 Cultural Events

Keeping Faith was born of a desire to bridge the divide and demonstrate peace and commonalities in the face of the hateful, vitriolic language and behavior in the country. Kim Schultz, a writer, actor, director, and storyteller specializing in comedic and authentic storytelling, has won awards for her stories. Professional storyteller and teaching artist Susan Stone’s stories have appeared in many anthologies and her recordings have garnered awards. Rohina Malik is an award-winning Chicago playwright and screenwriter whose plays have won critical acclaim and been presented across the U.S. and internationally. Each storyteller tells three stories inspired by their personal faith journey accompanied by cultural musical storyteller, arts organizer, and writer Lucia Thomas on violin, oud, and banjo.

NO TICKETS REQUIRED. The performance and all residency activities are free and open to the public. Co-sponsored by Cultural Events, Campus Ministry, the Dovre Center, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Pianist Ji-Hyang Gwak has established herself as a performing solo artist and chamber musician with appearances across the United States, in the Czech Republic, England, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Korea, earning international praise. She is the top-prize winner of the Sicily International Piano Competition, Seattle International Piano Competition, and the Michigan MTNA Young Artist Piano Competition. She also received prizes in numerous competitions such as 39th Joongang Music Concours and the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition in New York City. She was selected to participate in summer festivals including CCM Prague Festival in Czech, Sicily Piano Festival in Italy, UFIPF (University of Florida International Piano Festival) in Gainesville, and PianoTexas in Fort Worth.

The Grammy-nominated vocal supergroup, säje (rhymes with “beige”), is the brainchild of vocalist/composers Sara Gazarek, Amanda Taylor, Johnaye Kendrick, and Erin Bentlage. Born out of close friendship and incredibly deep admiration, these world-renowned artists, composers, and arrangers have come together to explore, create, and celebrate the music that moves them. As individuals, each artist crafted their own notable solo career and now are delighted to bring their collective voices to this union. The ensemble was awarded the John Lennon Songwriting Contest Grand Prize Award for their second composition, “Wisteria,” and its debut album will be released soon. The union of säje is rooted in the tradition of joy, curiosity, lush harmony, heartfelt expression, and profound sisterhood. The performance is in conjunction with the annual Concordia Jazz Festival.

Heartland Marimba celebrates and elevates the accessibility of the classical marimba art form. Its goal is accomplished through community outreach, educational experiences, generating new repertoire, and opportunities for professionals. The Heartland Marimba Quartet (HMQ) exemplifies Heartland Marimba’s mission to develop and disseminate the art form in both academic and community contexts. HMQ, established in 2016, has performed more than 140 concerts since its inception. Its four distinctly creative forces are Ujjal Bhattacharyya, Matthew Coley, Marco Schirripa, and Hannah Weaver. The group seeks to give a platform to the music of American composers in its programming and continues to expand its repertoire with works from composers worldwide. HMQ is participating in Concordia’s Percussion Day.