Cultural Events

The mission of Concordia College is to influence the affairs of the world by sending into society thoughtful and informed men and women dedicated to the Christian life. From the founding of the college, cultural events have been a fundamental component in carrying out this mission.

Cultural events programming at Concordia College enriches the intellectual and cultural life of the college by providing models of what the college values through presenting individuals and groups that stimulate a love of learning, evoke a commitment to excellence, provide growth of independent thinking, demonstrate creativity, broaden appreciation of the world, and awaken a personal and social consciousness and vision of the way the world can be.

Cultural Events Series: Each year the Cultural Events office sponsors a series featuring touring artist performances in genres including vocal and instrumental music, dance, and theatre. Performances are chosen based on the mission of the college and the goals of cultural events programming. Along with a public performance, visiting artists engage in residency activities, master classes and lectures that are integral educational components of the series.

Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium: Each fall, the college sponsors the Faith, Reason and World Affairs Symposium on a topic of major significance. In the best liberal arts tradition, these symposia bring to campus knowledgeable speakers to represent various positions on the topic. The goal is to challenge participants to make informed judgments through hearing and discussing divergent points of view. Past topics have included medical ethics, the global economy, climate change, and technology.

Concordia Christmas Concerts: Each December, more than 350 Concordia student musicians present a celebration of seasonal music and art in six performances at Memorial Auditorium and Orchestra Hall in Minneapolis. The performances are experienced by thousands of people annually, marking a highlight of the holiday season for the Concordia community, friends and families since 1926.

Author-in-Residence Event: This annual event in March is a two day author-in-residence program featuring award-winning authors who participate in a public Readings and Conversation event followed by a reception and book signing. The authors also participate in workshops and master classes with students.