Chorus Information
San Francisco Bach Choir
Magen Solomon, Director
Information last updated: 2014-08-08
Status:
Archived
Basic Information
| Description: | Auditioned volunteer chorus, performing with professional instrumentalists and soloists |
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| Web Address: | http://www.sfbach.org |
| Year Estab: | 1936 |
| Mission: | The San Francisco Bach Choir sings rarely performed choral works and reinterprets the established repertoire to promote a deeper appreciation of the music by the choir members and audiences throughout the greater Bay Area. Our innovative programming emphasizes the historical and cultural contextof the works, using appropriate choral styles and period instruments. |
| Emphasis: | 16th through 18th century composers including Bach, Handel, Praetorius, Schütz, and their contemporaries, with an occasional excursion into earlier and later periods and traditions. |
| Size: | 60–90 |
| Concerts/Year: | Four (one to two performances of each) |
| Skills Required : | The San Francisco Bach Choir is for people who do not earn a living through their singing, but who still want to use their talent and training making |
| Auditions: | Yes. See website www.sfbach.org for details |
| Dues: | $80 + $20–30 music fee per concert quarter (4) |
| Payments to Singers: | none |
| Dress: | Women: long, black dress or dressy pants; men: tuxedo. (Singers provide their own outfits) |
| Rehearsals: | Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., Calvary Presbyterian Church, 2515 Fillmore Street (at Jackson), San Francisco |
Categories
| Type of Music: | Classical Church/Sacred Early Music Christmas |
Type of Chorus: | Mixed Adult |
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| Rehearse City: | San Francisco | ||
| Region: | San Francisco | ||
| Audition Req'd: | Y | ||
Chorus Contact Information
| Mailing Address: | 2443 Fillmore Street #195 |
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| Phone: | 1-855-473-2224 (toll-free |
| Email: | info@sfbach.org |
Other Information
| Discography: | Ceremonies and Celebrations
Grand antiphonal music by Heinrich Schütz, Michael Praetorius, Jacob Handl, and other composers from Northern Germany's colossal baroque that the choir presented at Grace Cathedral in May 2002 under the direction of David P. Babbitt.
Christmas Music of Michael Praetorius
Glorious works for multiple choirs of voices and instruments, prepared by director David P. Babbitt and first performed by the SFBC during our In Dulci Jubilo! concerts of December 1995. Recorded at the Chapel at St. Vincent's School for Boys in San Rafael, CA.
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| History: | The San Francisco Bach Choir has been an important part of the Bay Area's cultural life for nearly eight decades. One of the oldest continually-performing community choirs in the western United States, SFBC has played a major role in establishing choral music as a serious art form in Northern California, and has introduced many singers and listeners to the works of J.S. Bach. During the tenure of founding director Waldemar Jacobsen, 1937–1979, SFBC was one of the few choruses in the Bay Area offering musicians the opportunity to perform great choral works in their entirety. Upon Mr. Jacobsen’s death in 1979, Richard Kamprath served as SFBC’s second Artistic Director until 1981.
Organist and Lutheran liturgist David P. Babbitt assumed leadership of the choir 1981. Mr. Babbitt gradually expanded the choir's programming focus to specialize not only in the music of J.S. Bach, but in the rich choral and polychoral heritage of composers of the late 16th and early 17th centuries whose music deeply influenced Bach's creative genius. Mr. Babbitt often used multiple choirs arranged in antiphonal formation throughout the performance space, including works for as many as 40 different voice parts. He also began the choir's historically informed performance practice and added a period instrument orchestra to the choir's concert presentations. He held his position with the choir for 24 years until his death in 2006.
Harpsichordist and conductor Corey Jamason served as Artistic Director from 2007–2014, bringing his professional experience as an active soloist and chamber music collaborator, and as Historical Performance Director at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Mr. Jamason continued the choir’s traditional focus on baroque sacred music with a deeply informed approach to the style of that period. His interest in community outreach moved the choir to develop several new programs, including free tickets for youth, senior discounts, educational programs in schools, and the Senior Community Choirs Project.
In July 2011, Managing Director Sharon Gustavson retired after 25 years in that role. The SFBC Board of Directors created the Sharon Gustavson Concertmaster Chair in honor of Ms. Gustavson's many years of dedicated and inspired service to the Choir. Martha Westland was appointed Managing Director of SFBC in July 2011.
Magen Solomon assumed leadership as Artistic Director in June 2014. Dr. Solomon comes to SFBC with over 35 years of experience leading major choral arts organizations, having directed professional and volunteer choirs of all sizes, and with a distinguished record of graduate and undergraduate teaching, among many other musical accomplishments. The choir is inspired by her expertise, energy, and profound personal devotion to the music of J. S. Bach.
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| Comments: | Auditions conducted periodically throughout the year. More information available on our website www.sfbach.org |