News
71st Annual Johann Sebastian Bach Festival at Whittier College
March 14, 2008 Press Release
Whittier College is proud to present its 71st Annual Johann Sebastian Bach Festival, the oldest collegiate Bach festival west of the Mississippi, running April 8 - 22, 2008. This year's festival will feature five concerts exploring the connection between the music of Johann Sebastian Bach with the music of colonial Mexico. Special guests include L.A. Chamber Singers' Cappella, conducted by Peter Rutenberg, and the Coprario Consort, directed by Kevin Cooper. All events, unless otherwise noted, will take place in the Ruth B. Shannon Center for the Performing Arts, Whittier College, 6760 Painter Ave., Whittier, CA 90608. For additional information or to purchase tickets, please call the Box Office at 562.907.4203, or visit online, www.shannoncenter.org.
- Tuesday, April 8, 8 p.m. Los Angeles Chamber Singers' Capella, conducted by Peter Rutenberg, will present music from the Mexican Baroque by Juan Gutierrez Padilla (1590-1664), Francisco Guerrero 1528-1599), Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548-1611), and Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Admission is $10 general, $5 students.
- Friday, April 11, noon. Our annual Bach Musicale will take place in Whittier College's Memorial Chapel, 13406 E. Philadelphia St., Whittier, CA 90608. Students will perform music by Bach and his contemporaries. Admission is free.
- Tuesday, April 15, 8p.m. The Coprario Consort will perform music of Colonial-Era Mexico. During the 17th and 18th centuries, Mexico enjoyed a long period of prosperity that fostered great achievements in the arts. Music thrived in cafes and cathedrals alike with musicians often blending indigenous music with imported music from Europe and Africa. Directed by Kevin Cooper, the consort will play period instruments and perform a variety of works including vivacious dances, elegant sonatas, and joyous cantatas. Admission is $10 general, $5 students.
The Coprario Consort: Victor Barrientos, percussion; Kevin Cooper, guitars/director; Shirley Hunt, viol; Kathia Ibacache, soprano; Neli Nikolaeva, violin; Ian Pritchard, organ; and Jennifer Sayre, harp.
- Saturday, April 19, 4p.m. Chorale Bel Canto, conducted by Stephen Gothold, will present Bach's "St. John Passion." One of Bach's greatest works, the "St. John Passion" is a setting of the story of Jesus' Crucifixion according to the Gospel of John. Interspersed between sections of narrative are turba choruses representing the various groups within the story and arias, chorales (hymns) and choruses which provide meditation on the actions of the story as they unfold. The Chorale, made up of Whittier residents and Whittier College members, will be joined by soloists and orchestra. A pre-concert lecture by noted Bach scholar Raymond Erickson '63 will take place at 3 p.m. Tickets are $25 general at the door, $20 general pre-sale, $5 students.
- Tuesday, April 22, 8 p.m. The festival will close with a Bach Chamber Music Concert featuring Whittier College music department faculty and friends performing works by Bach and his contemporaries. This event will take place in Whittier College's Memorial Chapel. Admission is $10 general, $5 students.
Founded by Quakers in 1887, Whittier College is an independent, four-year college offering a traditional liberal arts program integrated with both professional and pre-professional courses of study. With an emphasis on diversity, community, and curricular innovation, the College’s primary mission is to endow students with the education, skills, and values appropriate for global leadership and service. Whittier College is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI).
Whittier Law School, which is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools, is located on a separate campus in Orange County.
