About Us
The Bach Cantata Choir's mission is to sing the entire set of cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach over a period of 30 years (view cantatas performed to date). We are a choir of about 50 members plus an orchestra of between 8 to 15 members depending upon the concert.
We perform approximately five concerts each year – two or three cantatas per concert. Most concerts are on Sunday afternoons at 2:00 p.m. at the Rose City Park Presbyterian Church at NE 44th & Sandy Blvd. in Portland, Oregon (map), except where noted. Concerts are free (free-will offering accepted) unless advertised otherwise.
The Bach Cantata Choir is a legally organized non-profit corporation under Oregon law, and is a registered 501(c)(3) corporation with the IRS. Donations to the choir are fully deductible for income tax purposes.
Ralph Nelson, Artistic Director
Ralph Nelson, a graduate of Amherst College, studied composition and conducting in France under Nadia Boulanger. He also studied with Helmuth Rilling at the Oregon Bach Festival. He directs the Holladay Park Plaza Singers, and the choir at First Immanuel Lutheran Church. He sang with the Portland Symphonic Choir for over 40 years, and was previously its Executive Director. He is a frequent Artist-in-Residence at schools throughout the Portland area.
John Vergin, Accompanist
John Vergin has been the Bach Cantata Choir’s accompanist and continuo player since its inception. After attending Reed College, he continued in music and theater activities as voice teacher, actor, singer and musician, with groups including Bravo Vancouver, the Choral Arts Ensemble, and the Portland Baroque Orchestra. His compositions have been sung by Cantores in Ecclesia, The Choral Arts Ensemble, In Mulieribus, and the Bach Cantata Choir. Vergin has been a liturgical musician all his life, and currently holds positions at St. Rose of Lima, and Holy Rosary churches.