Bluffton to host Bach Festival

Bluffton University's annual Bach Festival will include the traditional Bach's Lunch Friday, March 18, and the Bach Festival Concert on Sunday, March 20. Both events are free and open to the public.

The Sunday concert will open at 2:30 p.m. in Yoder Recital Hall with the second annual Mosiman Young Artist Competition. Ten Bluffton students auditioned for the competition on Feb. 21.

The three finalists chosen to perform at the concert are James Brake, a junior from Ohio City, Ohio, on vibraphone; soprano Sarah Diller, a senior from Bluffton; and Kitanya Murray, a junior from Findlay, Ohio, on saxophone. The winner, to be announced at the end of the concert, will receive a $100 cash prize.

Conducted by Dr. Mark Suderman, professor of music and director of choral activities at Bluffton, the concert will feature a performance of portions of Bach's "Mass in B Minor" by the Bluffton Choral Society, a choir comprising community members and Bluffton students, faculty and staff; university choral groups Accent! and Bel Canto; a chamber orchestra; and soloists Helen Allen, soprano; Jaime Hartzell, mezzo-soprano; Jonathan Jurgens, tenor; and Errin Brooks, baritone.

Bach's Lunch will begin at noon Friday in the Gilliom Room of Mosiman Hall, where students will perform in an informal setting. Individuals may bring their own lunch.

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