2008-2009 Concert Season

In its seventh season, the Bach Ensemble will return to its roots. After exploring music from other Baroque masters in recent years, this year we will highlight the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. The Ensemble will perform two famous Bach Cantatas, as well as music by another Composer, who revered Johann Sebastian Bach and included Baroque-style fugues and counterpoint in several compositions. This Composer, perhaps the most important of the Classical era, is Ludwig van Beethoven.

In addition to its two major public concerts this Season, The Bach Ensemble will continue to offer Southwest Floridians additional educational and entertainment events, as described below.

SEASON AT A GLANCE
Saturday October 25, 2008	Bach Festival First Academy of Music Bonita Springs
Friday November 14, 2008	Fantasia! Gala Fundraiser The Inn on Fifth, Naples
Monday November 24, 2008	Third Street, Naples Annual Festival of Lights
Thursday December 4, 2008	Fifth Avenue, Naples Christmas Walk & Tree Lighting
Thursday December 4, 2008	Troubadours Performance Hideaway Beach Country Club
Saturday December 6, 2008	Troubadours Performance Naples Lakes Country Club
Sunday December 14, 2008	Holiday Concert: "A Baroque Fantasia" Moorings Presbyterian Church Naples
Saturday February 14, 2009	Naples Artcrafters Fine Art and Crafts Show Cambier Park, Naples
Saturday February 21, 2009	Troubadours Performance Island Walk
Tuesday March 3, 2009	Free Public Workshop Bach & Beethoven: Rock & Roll Main Library, Orange Blossom Naples
Sunday March 22, 2009	A Spring Fantasia: Immortal Harmonies Naples United Church of Christ

Bach Festival

The Season begins with a new Community Outreach effort in support of music education for youth, the First Annual Bach Festival, on Saturday October 25.  The event, hosted by First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, gives grade K-12 students in Lee and Collier counties an opportunity to perform a Bach composition for evaluation and comments by a judge.  Patrons of The Bach Ensemble will enjoy hearing performances by the Outstanding Performers from the Bach Festival at events throughout the year!

Fundraising Gala

November’s highlight is Fantasia!, The Bach Ensemble's Fundraising Gala at the Inn on Fifth, Naples, being held Friday, November 14th.  The evening will begin at 6:30 with a Silent Auction, followed at 7:30 by Dinner and Dancing.  Reservations at $125 each may be made through Online Ticket Orders.

Holiday Concert

In its Fifth Annual Holiday Concert: "A Baroque Fantasia" , to be held on Sunday, December 14th at Moorings Presbyterian Church, The Bach Ensemble will present one of J.S. Bach's most memorable works, Cantata BWV 140, best known for the lovely "Sleepers Awake" chorale. The choral Ensemble will be accompanied by instrumental soloists and organ/piano. A selection of favorite carol arrangements will also be on the program, along with the popular "audience sing-along" of traditional holiday songs.

Spring Concert

The Bach Ensemble's Spring Fantasia: "Immortal Harmonies" will be presented on Sunday, March 22nd, at Naples United Church of Christ. The program will begin with J.S. Bach's Cantata BWV 50, which features a rousing double chorus, vocal soloists and full orchestra. Two works by Ludwig van Beethoven will also be showcased: the venerated Mass in C, and the Choral Fantasia. The Bach Ensemble is delighted to welcome Naples' favorite concert pianist, Jodie deSalvo, who will join us as the featured soloist in the Choral Fantasia performance.

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Troubadours

The Bach Ensemble "Troubadours" have already booked three country club shows for the upcoming season. The Troubadours perform holiday carols, show tunes, jazz standards and special requests for private parties, country clubs and corporate events. For more information about this 12-voice professional group, please see Troubadours.

Future Seasons

Planning is already underway for a future season performance of Bach's most monumental composition, the Mass in B Minor. Southwest Floridians were given a glimpse of the glory of this work through the recent FGCU Renaissance Academy Course, "Bach and his Mass in B Minor" instructed by our Artistic Director Dr. Ronald Doiron.

Patrons of The Bach Ensemble are banding together to form a "Bach Society" in support of this project, which is a long-held dream of our esteemed Founder, Dr. Vic Silvestri. The Bach Society will seek additional financial pledges from individuals and corporations, to sponsor the professional vocal soloists and orchestra members. The Society will also help locate an appropriate venue for a performance of this magnitude. For information about The Bach Society, please contact development@thebachensemble.org.

Our Artistic Director, Dr. Ronald Doiron, is auditioning singers to supplement the core group of The Bach Ensemble for this work, which requires a double chorus with substantial stamina. For audition information, please contact auditions@thebachensemble.org.

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