Bach Vespers Thank You!

This is a “thank you” post. Such posts are hard to write – I’m always afraid that I will forget to include someone in this long list.

Photo by Mark Weber

A little history: Jim Rindelaub started the Bach Vespers tradition at St. Mark’s in 1990. The first cantata was sung as part of a Liturgical Arts Week. In addition to workshops on handbells, liturgical dance, calligraphy, and drama, the week included rehearsals and a performance of Bach’s Cantata No. 7, Christ unser Herr zum Jordan kam.

Since 1990, about 19 of Bach’s cantatas have been performed at St. Mark’s as part of a Vespers (Evening Prayer) Service.

This year’s cantata was Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen. It included Lutheran hymns and music from David Cherwien’s setting of Evening Prayer, Stay with Us, Lord.

My first thank you is to the singers from the community, about 30 of them, who joined us for this event. They rehearsed for three Saturday mornings from 10:00 – 12:00, “wood-shedding” the parts, learning how to sing in German, and rehearsing liturgical music and hymns. There was one final dress rehearsal which included the orchestra and soloists on the morning before the service. I have no doubt that most of them spent considerable time outside of rehearsal learning the music. Thank you to all of you!

First Rehearsal!

Thanks also to our outstanding soloists: Kimberly Beasley, Timothy Keatley, and Clinton M. H. Weinberg. Kimberly Beasley is an Associate Professor of Voice at Jacksonville University and Timothy Keatley is a voice student there. I was happy to have these two JU connections since JU is also my alma mater. Clinton M. H. Weinberg is Artist-in-Residence at Flagler University where he teaches Applied Voice and directs the pep band. He’s also a long-time friend who I’ve been trying to have sing for Bach Vespers for several years. Thank you to each of you for your preparation and beautiful performances.

Lto R: Kimberly Beasley, Timothy Keatley, Clinton M. H. Weinberg

Thank you to our orchestra. Each year Ellen Olson has secured top-notch players for this event. Many of our instrumentalists return year after year for this special event. Thank you to Edie Hubert (organ), Melissa Barrett (violin), Andy Bruck (violin), DJ Cheek (viola), Ellen Olson (viola), Betsy Federman (cello), Patrick Bilanchone (bass), and Eric Olson (oboe).

Members of the Orchestra at dress rehearsal

Anita Renfroe

The music before the service was also lovely, so thank you to Anita Renfroe who played two harpsichord pieces, one each by Handel and Scarlatti. She was then joined by Eric and Ellen Olson for a trio sonata by G. P. Telemann. The three Baroque composers were well-represented and would have been pleased to hear their music so beautifully played.

Every Evening Prayer service needs a leader. Thank you to Pastor Daniel Locke for fulfilling this role with reverence and good singing!

Frank S. has been our German diction coach for nearly as many years as Bach Vespers has been in existence. Thank you, Frank!

Lynette and Renee hosting the reception.

The service was followed by an elegant reception hosted and coordinated by Renee R. She had help

that evening from Lynette and Mark W., and from Francine Baker.  Singers, instrumentalists, and guests enjoyed mingling and relaxing together because of their efforts. Thank you for a delightful reception!

Thanks be to God for the gift of salvation by grace through Jesus Christ. This gift gives us a reason to sing.

The Full Ensemble, photo by Mark Weber

Finally, in the words of J. S. Bach, the Fifth Evangelist: