Part of the Society’s strong appeal to audiences is its wide range of programming that presents varied historic periods in contrasting and entertaining musical styles. The May 22 program in St. Charles will illustrate that practice of combining periods and styles exquisitely performed to delight its audience. The program will begin with two motets by Mendelssohn and Bach, followed by French, English, and Russian music. After intermission the chorus will sing contemporary sacred and secular music, including spirituals. The concert will end with two deeply loved favorites which both lift and touch the heart, “Londonderry Air” and Leonard Bernstein’s “Make Our Garden Grow.”
Dennis Sparger has served the Bach Society as Music Director and Conductor since 1986. His professional training includes a 1981 Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Illinois, following a bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Eastern Illinois University. Dr. Sparger also serves a larger constituency as associate producer and writer of JOY!, a weekly program of sacred choral music heard on KFUO-FM CLASSIC 99.
A non-profit organization, the Crescendo Concert Series was a joint project initiated in 1999 by St. John United Church of Christ, St. Charles Presbyterian Church, and First United Methodist Church. It has been supported for the past six years through generous grants by the Arts and Culture Commission of the City of St. Charles, by corporate sponsors such as Target Stores, Whittaker Homes, and Parkside Meadows Retirement Community, by individual donors, and by advertising purchased by local businesses and merchants.
Individual adult tickets are $12 and student tickets are $5. They can be purchased by sending a check or money order and a self-addressed stamped envelope to the Crescendo Concert Series, P.O. Box 1613, St. Charles, MO, 63302-1613 or at the door. Group rates are available by calling (636) 724-2507. For additional information consult
Said George Morris, president of the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors, “The Bach Society of St. Louis brings to our city some of the finest choral singing to be heard in this area. People of St. Charles City and County have shown that they are eager for first-class performances by professional musicians and ensembles.”
Morris continued, “2005-2006 promises to be an exciting year of performers from afar. Next season’s Jupiter Quartet is based in Boston. Home base for the New Pro-Arte Guitar Trio is England. Manhattan Brass comes from New York, Chanson was formed in Minnesota, and Andres Diaz, renowned cellist, lives in the Philadelphia area.” All concerts are on Sundays at 3:00 p.m. at various venues throughout St. Charles. Also, new next season will be introduction of pre-concert talks beginning at 2:30 p.m. conducted by Nancy Rubenstein, PhD, who has taught music history and appreciation at local universities and currently serves on the Crescendo Concert Series Board of Directors.
Season tickets for next year, the best value offering five concerts, are $50 and may be purchased at this concert or by mail order. Morris concluded, “Ticket revenue is only a small part of the income needed to present a concert series, even when conducted entirely by volunteers. We are also grateful for generous gifts from individuals and from our advertisers and co-sponsors of some concerts. We encourage lovers of fine music to support our efforts.” Tax-deductible donations can be made by sending checks to the Crescendo Concert Series.
