Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750) is widely regarded as one of the most important composers of church music and certainly the most important composer of Lutheran church music. St. Mark's tradition of Bach Vespers - the singing of a Bach cantata as the musical offering within a Lutheran service of evening prayer - is twenty years old. This year we continue the tradition by singing cantata no. 180,
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele (Deck yourself, my soul, with gladness)written for the 20th Sunday after Trinity.
Singers from the community are heartily invited to sing for this service which will be accompanied by a chamber orchestra comprised of members of the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra. Rehearsals will be held on Saturday mornings from 10 - 12. The dates of the rehearsals are October 15, 22, 29, and November 5th (dress rehearsal). We would be happy and honored to have you sing with us. There is no charge to sing, but we do need to know you are coming to be sure we have enough scores! Please contact Tony Cruz (vespers@comcast.net) for more information.
Hiring an orchestra, purchasing scores, and other costs require us to ask for monetary donations to present this important music and continue the tradition. Your contributions are welcome!
Photo Credit: Bill Daugherty from Bach Vespers 2007
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
