{"id":24356,"date":"2015-05-21T15:07:22","date_gmt":"2015-05-21T19:07:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/?p=24356"},"modified":"2016-01-06T09:35:38","modified_gmt":"2016-01-06T14:35:38","slug":"bach-festival-in-its-23rd-year-draws-appreciative-crowd-for-diverse-classical-repertoire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/emu.edu\/now\/news\/2015\/bach-festival-in-its-23rd-year-draws-appreciative-crowd-for-diverse-classical-repertoire\/","title":{"rendered":"Bach Festival, in its 23rd year, draws appreciative crowd for diverse classical repertoire"},"content":{"rendered":"

In his 23rd year as artistic director and conductor of the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival<\/a>, Kenneth J. Nafziger<\/a> just laughs when asked if he is most looking forward to conducting any one particular piece.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s like asking me to pick my favorite child,\u201d says Nafziger, who relishes the years-long process that goes into the programming, repertoire and selection and invitation of featured artists. \u201cEach year, the music changes and that means the festival stays new and exciting in different ways for different audiences. Every year, some will say, \u2018This is the best one ever,\u2019 and that freshness is exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The week-long event will be June 14-21 on the Eastern Mennonite University campus, where both Nafziger and executive director Mary Kay Adams<\/a> are senior members of the music faculty.<\/p>\n

The festival, which draws an estimated 4,000 people, is named in honor of Johann Sebastian Bach, a German composer born in 1685, but showcases an ever-changing repertoire of classical music from different eras.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe festival tagline is \u2018Bach is just the beginning,\u2019\u201d Adams said, \u201cand the diversity within our concerts truly reflects that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Three concerts and more<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The June 14 opening concert showcases five instrumental concertos, all composed by Bach.<\/p>\n

Concert 2 features works by Haydn, including Symphony No. 31 in D Major (Hornsignal), Concerto No. 4 in D Major for Harpsichord<\/em> with Joseph Gascho <\/a>\u201895, Te Deum <\/em>with the Festival Choir, and Symphony No. 102 in B-flat major.<\/em><\/p>\n

Concert 3 features music by African-American composers Aldophus Hailstork, William Grant Still and Edmund Thornton Jenkins, including a rare performance of Charlestonia<\/em>, one of the first compositions in which American black music themes are mixed with the European concert tradition. A suite from George Gershwin\u2019s Porgy and Bess<\/em>, set in the black community of Charleston, concludes the theme.<\/em> Soprano Veronica Chapman-Smith<\/a> and baritone John Fulton<\/a> are the soloists, joined by the choir.<\/p>\n

A Leipzig service, honoring Bach\u2019s service as a church musician, brings the festival to a conclusion on Sunday, June 21. The service includes organ music, hymn singing, a cantata and other music for choir, soloists and orchestra, with a homily by David Evans<\/a>. A Father’s Day brunch<\/a> is offered afterwards.<\/p>\n

Additional featured artists include\u00a0Phillip Chase Hawkins<\/a>, trumpet; Mary Kay Adams<\/a>, flute; Sandra Gerster<\/a>, oboe; Ralph Allen<\/a> and Joan Griffing<\/a>, violin; Diane Phoenix-Neal<\/a>, viola; Marvin Mills<\/a>, organ; Mark Rimple<\/a>, countertenor; and Joel Ross<\/a>, tenor.<\/p>\n

Smaller ensembles and a more informal style are offered through the week at the noon chamber music concerts at First Presbyterian Church. No tickets are required; a $5 donation is suggested.<\/p>\n

Musicians enjoy fellowship, hospitality<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The Festival Orchestra includes professional musicians from around the country, many of whom return year after year. One bass trombonist annually drives from Florida and stays with the same local host, Nafziger said. \u201cThere\u2019s not a huge call for bass trombonists, so he plays in two or three pieces, but stays for the whole week\u2026 The fellowship and hospitality here are an important part of why the festival is so successful.\u201d<\/p>\n

When musicians want to take a festival season off, they usually ask for \u201ca leave of absence,\u201d Nafziger said. \u201cWe don\u2019t have that, but what they mean is, \u2018Save my seat so I can come back the next time.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n

Another source of energy is limited rehearsal time, Nafziger says. Musicians arrive and rehearse during the first weekend of the festival, achieving a high standard of quality in a short period of time.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s rewarding to me every year how much work you can do if you clear everything away in your life but what you love doing,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s an exhilarating and exhausting 10 days.\u201d<\/p>\n

While professional musicians perform with the Festival Orchestra, the Festival Choir, a volunteer ensemble, allows both professional and amateur vocalists to perform celebrated works. Musicians also come into Harrisonburg for the Virginia Baroque Performance Academy<\/a>, a five-day concurrent workshop with masterclasses and coaching sessions in harpsichord, violin, viola da gamba, recorder, lute, and vocal performance.<\/p>\n

Tickets<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Three-concert ticket packages cost $65 for adults; $55 for seniors ages 65 and older, and $15 for youth ages 22 and younger.<\/p>\n

Advance single tickets cost $27 for adults; $22 for seniors and $5 for youth; tickets cost $2 more at the door.<\/p>\n

Tickets for groups of 12 or larger cost $22 for adults; $17 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<\/a> or by calling 432-4582.<\/p>\n

Schedule of Events<\/strong><\/h3>\n