Concordia Orchestra concludes fall tour with Nov. 1 home concert  

The Concordia Orchestra will conclude its annual fall tour with a home concert at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, in Memorial Auditorium at Concordia College. The event is free and open to the public. 

The program opens with Ludwig van Beethoven’s “Leonore Overture No. 3,” a dramatic musical journey from darkness and suspense to freedom and joy, inspired by his only opera, “Fidelio.” 

Aaron Jay Kernis’ “Air for Flute and Orchestra” will feature Concordia flute professor Deb Harris. Harris has served as principal flute of the Fargo-Moorhead Opera orchestra since 1989.

Dmitri Shostakovich’s “Symphony No. 5” brings the program to a powerful conclusion, moving through dramatic tension, dark humor, lyrical reflection, and a thrilling finale.

Foster Beyers, interim director of orchestral activities at Concordia College for the 2026-27 academic year, will conduct the orchestra. Beyers previously served on Concordia’s music faculty from 2011 to 2016.

The Moorhead performance follows a week of regional touring that includes concerts and school-day performances in Minnesota and Wisconsin. The tour also features collaborations with local high school and youth music ensembles, giving Concordia musicians opportunities to connect with students and fellow performers throughout the region.