Bach Collegium to perform Sunday

On Sunday afternoon November 15, 2009 the region’s only early music choral and instrumental ensemble will perform their opening concert of the season at Simpson United Methodist Church, 2501 South Harrison Street in Fort Wayne, Indiana at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

Works to be performed include “The Spirit Also Helpeth” a lilting and engaging work by J.S. Bach; a Magnificat by Schuetz; a preview of the holiday season with a Christmas lullaby by Michael Praetorius; and a never-before-performed work by Scandellus entitled “O Jesus Christ, You Bless All”. Scandellus is a little known 16th century Italian born-German composer and the double choir piece is his only one that has survived. The performance (of the Scandellus) will mark the world premier of this piece, and is well worth a listen.

In its ongoing educational efforts to expose young people to singing Baroque music, the Bach Collegium's membership will swell by 42 at this concert to include the students of the Manchester College A Capella Choir, an auditioned ensemble under the direction of Dr Debra Lynn. The ensemble has toured throughout the US. and abroad, recently including performances at Carnegie Hall in New York and the Vatican in Rome, as well as the Basilica of San Marco in Venice. These college choral singers will join the 30 musicians and 10 college students already singing with the Collegium.

Mission Statement The purpose of the Bach Collegium--Fort Wayne is to enrich the community culturally, emotionally, and spiritually through performances and lectures presented by trained musicians and scholars focusing primarily on the music of J. S. Bach and the Baroque Era.

Philosophy The organization's unique contribution to the Fort Wayne community is this: that the Collegium is the only local choral-instrumental group whose goal it is to perform with a full ensemble of period instruments and make extensive use of Baroque performance practices. As such, the ensemble creates a most harmonious blend of musical forces, including a warmth with Baroque A-415 (not modern A-440) pitch and historically-tempered tuning, and an expressiveness, enhanced by the gentle sonorities and articulation of Baroque reeds, winds, brass, and strings (with the delicate yet invigorating style of Baroque bowing). Collegium presentations bring together internationally acclaimed Bach artists and scholars.
Photo © Bach Collegium – Ft. Wayne, IN