About the Choir

The Lincoln Lutheran Choir was formed in the spring of 1978 when 70 singers from 18 Lutheran congregations decided to participate in a concert of the Concordia Singers, a liturgical choir from Concordia College, Seward, Nebraska, under the leadership of Carlos R. Messerli. The concert, which was presented at Sheridan Lutheran Church, generated enough interest among singers and listeners alike that a decision was made to organize on a more formal basis under the guidance of Dr. Messerli and a Board of Directors. Through most of its history the Choir has held weekly rehearsals for about twelve weeks before presenting each of two annual concerts - one in fall and one in spring.

The Choir usually sings in the formal setting of a concert, but has also been featured in the context of an Evening Prayer service. Most of the concerts have included opportunity for congregational singing of hymns, especially in the historic mode of alternation by stanzas. This repertoire supplemented the Choir's regular performance of chant, Renaissance motets and masses, cantatas and other Baroque works, polychoral works, and many historic and contemporary settings of liturgical and other sacred texts.

Most concerts have been held at Grace Lutheran Church in Lincoln, which has generously provided the Choir with its favorable acoustic environment for the performance of choral and organ music.

The Lincoln Lutheran Choir is a member of the Lincoln Arts Council.