The Vassar College Choir, Festival Orchestra, and guest soloists, under the direction of Charles Kamm, will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach with a performance of Bach's Mass in B Minor on Sunday, April 2, at 3:00 p.m. in Skinner Recital Hall at Vassar College. The concert is free and open to the public.
Bach, who lived from 1685-1750, spent much of the latter part of his life compiling the 26-movement Mass for chorus, or-chestra and soloists-the first Mass to be written on such a large scale. The music draws on the various styles of Bach's composition, from solo arias to nearly a cappella choral movements to concertos for chorus and orchestra. The result is one of the grand masterpieces of the 18th century. The Vassar College Choir numbers 55 auditioned singers directed by Kamm, who is visiting assistant professor of music and director of choral activities at Vassar College since 1996. He formerly taught at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, and was associate conductor of the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium Musicum. Kamm is music director of the male vocal director of the male vocal ensemble Reredos, and has recently recorded with the Choir of the Church of the Advent for BBC radio and the Arsis CD label. The soloists are well known singers from both New York and Boston, including soprano Karen Holvik, who is on the Vassar College voice faculty. A festival orchestra of 25 players from throughout the Hudson Valley completes the roster of performers for the afternoon.
For additional information, call the Department of Music at (914) 437-7294. Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations may contact Cathy Jennings, Office of Campus Activities, (914) 437-5370, as far in advance as possible to request appropriate and reasonable accommodations.
Individuals with disabilities requiring accommodations or information on accessibility should contact Campus Activities Office at (845) 437-5370. Without sufficient notice, appropriate space and/or assistance may not be available.
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