Bach Chamber Choir
Encyclopedia
The Bach Chamber Choir & Orchestra was formed in 1969 by a group of Milwaukee
, Wisconsin
singers and instrumentalists who desired that there be a group to focus on early choral and instrumental chamber music
, especially music from the Baroque
and Classical periods
. Then, as now, the group was a volunteer group. (From Official Website.)
At its inception, the group performed only works of JS Bach
, but later expanded its repertoire to include other works of classical and fine arts.
In the 2007 Season the group gave a concert Featuring the Mozart Solemn Vespers (Vesperae solennes de confessore - K.V. 339), featuring a guest quartet of local talent, and other Mozart pieces on November 2. It was held at St Mary Catholic Faith Community in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
On January 6, 2008, they performed an Epiphany Concert featuring Bach—Cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (Sleepers Awake!), featuring guest talent and other pieces of the same theme. It was held at St Mary’s Elm Grove (Church), in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
The Palm Sunday Concert on March 16, 2008 was titled "Paschal Lessons and Carols" and featured shorter seasonal selections, such as Gibbon’s Hosanna to the Son of David— Some with organ, and some a cappella with Readings interspersed throughout the selections. The concert was performed at the amazing Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee.
The groups Spring Concert, “Madrigals, Mayhem, and More” was held on May 30, 2008, and featured Various madrigals, performed along with narration, staging and costumes. This concert was held on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College in Schwan Hall.
During the audition the director will check the singer’s range, vocal quality, vocal control and general musicianship. No prepared material is required.
While the ability to read music is helpful it is not a requirement in order to become part of the choir.
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Milwaukee is the largest city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin, the 28th most populous city in the United States and 39th most populous region in the United States. It is the county seat of Milwaukee County and is located on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan. According to 2010 census data, the...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
singers and instrumentalists who desired that there be a group to focus on early choral and instrumental chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
, especially music from the Baroque
Baroque music
Baroque music describes a style of Western Classical music approximately extending from 1600 to 1760. This era follows the Renaissance and was followed in turn by the Classical era...
and Classical periods
Classical period (music)
The dates of the Classical Period in Western music are generally accepted as being between about 1750 and 1830. However, the term classical music is used colloquially to describe a variety of Western musical styles from the ninth century to the present, and especially from the sixteenth or...
. Then, as now, the group was a volunteer group. (From Official Website.)
At its inception, the group performed only works of JS Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
, but later expanded its repertoire to include other works of classical and fine arts.
Concerts
In the 2006 season the group gave a concert named "De Colores, The Colors of Latin Music", featuring songs in Spanish and Latin as well as English. "An Italian Baroque Christmas." A Palm Sunday performance named, "Kirchenmusik Sacred music of the German Romantic composers." and "All Creatures Great and Small Aarvarks, Zebras and everything in between."In the 2007 Season the group gave a concert Featuring the Mozart Solemn Vespers (Vesperae solennes de confessore - K.V. 339), featuring a guest quartet of local talent, and other Mozart pieces on November 2. It was held at St Mary Catholic Faith Community in Hales Corners, Wisconsin.
On January 6, 2008, they performed an Epiphany Concert featuring Bach—Cantata Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 (Sleepers Awake!), featuring guest talent and other pieces of the same theme. It was held at St Mary’s Elm Grove (Church), in Elm Grove, Wisconsin.
The Palm Sunday Concert on March 16, 2008 was titled "Paschal Lessons and Carols" and featured shorter seasonal selections, such as Gibbon’s Hosanna to the Son of David— Some with organ, and some a cappella with Readings interspersed throughout the selections. The concert was performed at the amazing Basilica of St. Josaphat in Milwaukee.
The groups Spring Concert, “Madrigals, Mayhem, and More” was held on May 30, 2008, and featured Various madrigals, performed along with narration, staging and costumes. This concert was held on the campus of Wisconsin Lutheran College in Schwan Hall.
Hiring the Group
The group is at times hired to perform for weddings, special occasions and holiday parties.Joining the Choir
Auditions for the choir are held throughout the year. All auditions are private auditions with the director, Brian McLinden.During the audition the director will check the singer’s range, vocal quality, vocal control and general musicianship. No prepared material is required.
While the ability to read music is helpful it is not a requirement in order to become part of the choir.