[slideshow]We’ve very recently celebrated two milestones at the start of our new season:  last night The Choir gathered for our first rehearsal, and this afternoon we celebrated our 40th Bach at Noon (that verb is intentional – it was quite a musical celebration)!

Shortly after 7:00 pm, last night, choir members began arriving and formed a line to pick up their new music for the season.  The first rehearsal of the year serves several purposes: a kind of informal reunion for members, many of whom haven’t seen one another since our year-end dinner in June, a time to meet new members (we’re delighted to welcome 11 singers to our ranks this year)and staff, and, perhaps most importantly, an opportunity to make beautiful music together again.  A very productive rehearsal concluded with an ice cream social hosted by the Choir Reps, with more opportunity for visiting and catching up among the choir members.

We had a very full audience at Bach at Noon this afternoon for a delightful program of instrumental and vocal music.  First, on the harpsichord, Bach’s French Suite in G Major was played with panache and elegance by Artistic Director Greg Funfgeld.  The vocal work on the program was Cantata 51, and we were treated to the stellar singing of Agnes Zsigovics and outstanding playing of trumpeter Larry Wright, violinists Claire Bright and Linda Kistler, ‘cellist Loretta O’Sullivan, and the rest of the virtuosi of the Bach Festival Orchestra.  Jaws agape at the end of the cantata, the audience offered a much-deserved standing ovation for the performers.  Thanks to everyone involved for the wonderful offering of an invigorating and joyful performance.  You may read about what’s on the slate for October in the post below.