{"id":20180,"date":"2014-05-16T09:17:28","date_gmt":"2014-05-16T13:17:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=20180"},"modified":"2014-06-06T16:03:38","modified_gmt":"2014-06-06T20:03:38","slug":"annual-bach-festival-set-to-return-to-emu-for-22nd-installment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2014\/annual-bach-festival-set-to-return-to-emu-for-22nd-installment\/","title":{"rendered":"Annual Bach festival set to return to EMU for 22nd installment"},"content":{"rendered":"

Mary Kay Adams<\/a> considers classical music more than a pleasant pastime.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt adds a beauty and an enjoyment [to life]. \u2026 It touches the deepest part of our soul in a way not much else does,\u201d she remarked.<\/p>\n

As the executive director of the 22nd annual Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival<\/a>\u00a0(SVBF), Adams is looking forward to sharing her passion for classical music at the week-long event to be held June 8-15 at Eastern Mennonite University.<\/p>\n

Adams, who estimates the event draws a crowd of roughly 4,000 annually, says the festival is respected nationwide for its high-quality performances, and even attracts some international audience members. According to Adams, the Virginia Commission for the Arts<\/a> even called the SVBF the \u201cjewel in Harrisonburg\u2019s crown.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s such an intense week,\u201d she added. \u201cThe musicians are playing from the moment they get to town until they leave 10 days later.\u201d<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s featured musical artists include Kenneth Nafziger<\/a>, Marvin Mills<\/a>, Sharla Nafziger<\/a>, Barbara Rearick<\/a>, Kenneth Gayle<\/a>, Daniel Lichti<\/a>, Diane Phoenix-Neal<\/a>, Sandra Gerster<\/a>, Emma Resmini<\/a> and Judith Saxton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Adams says that Nafziger \u2014 the artistic director\/conductor \u2014 keeps the shows fresh from year to year.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe makes a point of making it new,\u201d she praised.<\/p>\n

Though the SVBF will offer classical music from six different eras, the festival is named in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer born in 1685.<\/p>\n

\u201cMost of the composers who came afterwards, to this day, use his music as a model,\u201d explained Adams, adding that Bach\u2019s works are at the event\u2019s \u201cheart.\u201d<\/p>\n

Adams encourages all locals to attend the festival, and says there\u2019s no need to be a musical expert. With the help of program guide notes and explanations from the stage, she insists that even a novice can enjoy the experience.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe music lover is really going to understand and appreciate everything going on with this \u2026 but we really do try to get people who don\u2019t know much about classical music in there, too.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three-concert ticket packages cost $60 for adults; $50 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $15 for youth ages 22 and younger.<\/p>\n

Advance single tickets cost $25 for adults; $20 for seniors and $5 for youth; tickets cost $2 more at the door.<\/p>\n

Tickets for groups of 12 or larger cost $20 for adults; $15 for seniors and $5 for youth.<\/p>\n

Donations collected for leipzig and noon chamber music series.<\/p>\n

Tickets may be purchased at the door, online at emu.edu\/box-office or by calling 432-4582.<\/p>\n

Schedule of Events<\/h3>\n