Watch a summary of the first concert in the Bach Cantata Series at Duke University Chapel. Find the series schedule here: https://chapel.duke.edu/music#Bach. The cantatas were explicitly designed to be theologically rich, educational, and inspirational for one purpose - to glorify God and refresh the human soul. In the same way, this series provides a modern connection with this great music of the past, exploring both the theological underpinnings of the pieces, as well as their sheer musical brilliance. Each month will feature a Bach cantata with other meditative sacred and instrumental music. The Bach series will offer time of reflection, sanctuary, and peace, regardless of one's religious background. The centerpieces of the first program -- held September 11, 2016 at Duke Chapel -- include J. S. Bach’s cantata #135, Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder (Ah Lord, I am a poor sinner) and Dietrich Buxtehude’s grandiose motet Gott, hilf mir (God, help me). Both selections explore the theme of repentance, which is found in the Gospel reading for September 11th from Luke 15:10, “there shall be joy before the angels and God over a single sinner who repents.” The chorale tune of Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder is one people will likely recognize as the tune to “O Sacred Head Now Wounded,” a familiar hymn most often heard during Lent and Holy Week. This hymn tune can be heard in 3 musical selections, the organ chorale, cantata, and finally the Quartet in Gm that will end the performance.

The Chapel’s Vespers Ensemble, along with the Cappella Baroque orchestra, presented the Bach Vespers concert Friday, Oct. 16, in Goodson Chapel at Duke Divinity School. In line with the Chapel’s mission to bridge faith and learning, the concert was constructed to provide an opportunity to hear J. S. Bach’s music in its original context of a worship service. The 80-minute program was presented according to the order of a Lutheran vespers service at the time of Bach, and drew upon music from Bach and contemporary composers. This video slideshow presents highlights from the concert. Read the concert program: http://issuu.com/brianschmidtmusic/docs/bach_vespers_program__issuu_/1 . CREDITS Conductor Dr. Brian Schmidt Organist Christopher Jacboson Presiding Pastor Dr. Anne Gidion Soloists Samantha Arten Thomas Isaac Collins Lydia Greene Nathan Jones Ryan Koter Michael Lyle Meredith Pysnik Choir The Duke Vespers Ensemble Orchestra Cappella Baroque Players Producer and Editor James Todd Photography Chrislyn Choo Sound Engineer Josiah Brock Videography Michael Burns

The Baylor International Choral Conducting Masterclass and Young Artist Program (ICCM) has a mission to provide intensive professional training for emerging young conductors and singers aspiring to be leaders in professional choral music. To learn more about the Baylor ICCM, please visit the website: www.baylor.edu/music/iccm Conducting Faculty Brian A. Schmidt Stefan Parkman Richard Sparks Vocal Coaches and Professional Artists in Residence Natalie Campbell Mark Diamond Joseph Hubbard Aaron Humble Elizabeth Johnson Knight Tom McNichols Clara Osowski Amy Petrongelli Randall Umstead Jamie Van Eyck Jennifer Youngs

The Baylor International Choral Conducting Masterclass and Young Artist Program (ICCM) has a mission to provide intensive professional training for emerging young conductors and singers aspiring to be leaders in professional choral music. To learn more about the Baylor ICCM, please visit the website: www.baylor.edu/music/iccm **The soundtrack for the video above is taken from the live concert of the ICCM Masterclass Choir conducted by Christopher Mason. Saturday, June 7, 2019. "Angelus Domini" (op. 133, no. 4) by Josef Rheinberger. Conducting Faculty Brian A. Schmidt Stefan Parkman Richard Sparks Vocal Coaches and Professional Artists in Residence Natalie Campbell Mark Diamond Joseph Hubbard Aaron Humble Elizabeth Johnson Knight Tom McNichols Clara Osowski Amy Petrongelli Randall Umstead Jamie Van Eyck Jennifer Youngs

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Marcel Tyberg was a composer tragically killed in the Holocaust. The South Dakota Chorale (SDC) will breathe new life into Tyberg's lost choral works and perform them for the first time since he was captured and killed at Auschwitz. Following the performances, SDC will record them for international release on the PENTATONE label. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Marcel Tyberg was an Austrian-born composer living in Abbazio, Italy (modern day Croatia) in the mid 20th-century. Fearing he may be persecuted due to his Jewish ancestry (he was 1/16th Jewish) and rumors of the Nazi Gestapo coming into their region, he gave his compositions to a trusted friend, Dr. Milan Mihich, who handed them down to his son Enrico. The music was kept in Enrico's basement for decades and only recently heard in the last 10 years when the Buffalo Philharmonic performed and recorded the symphonies. Tyberg's choral music (only 2 Masses exist today) has not been heard and will receive its modern premiere when the SDC revives these works in January 2016. ABOUT US: The South Dakota Chorale is a world-class professional choir based in Sioux Falls, SD. We are committed to enriching the cultural life of our region and also recording incredible music to share with the rest of the world.

The Duke Vespers Ensemble leads a weekly evening choral worship services at Duke Chapel. It also records professional albums and performs concerts at the Chapel and elsewhere. The group is a chamber ensemble focused on the performance of Renaissance polyphony and related genres. Learn more here: https://chapel.duke.edu/worship/music/choirs#vespers_ensemble.