March 2020 Announcement

We regret to announce that the concert scheduled for April 5, 2020, will not take place as scheduled. This is in keeping with Gov. Brown’s orders limiting large events as recommended by government health officials to help contain the spread of the coronavirus. 
 
Much as we love sharing the music of Bach with you, it is even more important that we help to protect the health and safety of our audience members and our musicians. Please note:

 April 5 concert      Postponed to 2021
 May 17 concert    To be determined

The April 5 concert was to have been Part 2 of Bach’s St. John Passion and would have fallen on Palm Sunday. This work requires significant rehearsal time, and with the current uncertainties we have decided to reschedule this major work for next season. We now plan to perform it on March 28, 2021 (Palm Sunday) when it will again be liturgically appropriate. The guest speaker, Dr. Thomas Hall, has also agreed to re-book for 2021.
​
The May 17 concert was planned as preparation for the Leipzig Bach Festival this summer. As we await word from Germany, we are keenly aware of the changing situations surrounding world travel and large gatherings of people. Therefore we have not yet made a decision about holding the May concert.
 
It is perhaps worth noting that Bach’s music has survived other setbacks. After the death of Johann Sebastian Bach in 1750, his music fell out of favor. “Too difficult,” many musicians declared. “Let’s do something easier.” And so the music of this creative genius went silent for some 79 years until it was resurrected by Felix Mendelssohn, beginning with a performance of the St. Matthew Passion in 1829.  
 
We know that many of you would love us to still be performing the music of J.S. Bach now. But we must remember that Bach's music has truly stood the test of time. Our current setback is only temporary, and we look forward to performing more of this amazing music when the time is right. 
 
In the meantime, we encourage you to listen to Bach's music on whatever electronic device suits you, and please stay safe.