Altogether beautiful: Concordia-Chicago to host Festival of Scripture & The Arts inspired by Song of Solomon

This summer, Concordia University Chicago will host a Festival of Scripture & The Arts from June 20 to 21, inviting students, faculty and staff, alumni, and community members to explore the beauty and depth of King Solomon's biblical poem through a series of lectures, presentations, performances, and a special commissioned artwork by April Parviz (BA '11) that will be installed on campus.

Inspired by the Song of Solomon, also referred to as the Song of Songs or the Canticle of Canticles, the festival encourages participants to reflect on God's enduring commitment to His people and the beautiful, joyful, and transformative power of His love. Drawing on the text's rich imagery, the event will explore themes of longing, devotion, selflessness, delight, and unity.

Coinciding with the Concordia-Chicago all-music alumni reunion weekend, the festival is open to the public, though registration is required. It kicks off the morning of Saturday, June 20, with a poetry, art, and storytelling session in the University's Bergmann Theatre. Throughout the day, attendees are invited to three guest lectures and post-lecture Q&A sessions-led by Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod pastors and authors Rev. Dr. Andrew Steinmann, Rev. Dr. Paul Raabe, and Rev. Dr. Joel C. Elowsky, whose biblical commentary will be published later this year in "Interpreting the Song of Songs: Reception History from Qumran to the Modern Era." Saturday's events will conclude with a banquet dinner.

On Sunday, June 21, attendees are invited to worship in the University's Chapel of Our Lord. Afterward, an additional poetry, art, and storytelling session and roundtable discussion of Saturday's lectures will take place.

The highlight of the festival will be a concert held in the Chapel of Our Lord at 4 p.m. on Sunday. The program features a performance of "Müde bin ich" by the Alumni Choir; a complete recitation of Song of Solomon by Concordia-Chicago's Assistant Professor of Theater, Megan Wells; and "All Praise to Thee" performed by the Alumni Orchestra. The concert will culminate with the world premiere of Professor of Music Dr. Jonathan Stahlke's "Song of All Songs," a musical work inspired by the entire biblical text of Song of Solomon and performed by members of the Music Alumni Reunion Choir and Orchestra. The premiere celebrates Stahlke's 30 years of service to the University. The concert portion of the festival is free and open to the public and will be followed by a reception in the Chapel courtyard.

More details on tickets and scheduling can be found here, with reunion-specific information here.