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Schedule of the Day:
9:00 AM - Participant arrival and check in
9:30 AM - Introductions, talk about history and style
10 AM – 12 PM - Choir and orchestra rehearse separately
12:00 PM - Lunch break
12:45 PM - Tutti rehearsal
3:00 PM - Play through
3:30 PM - End of workshop

March 29, 2025, Saturday | 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
Lutheran Church of the Redeemer
285 Dale St N, St Paul

Tickets: $40 (lunch included)

Parts will be available to download on December 2, 2024.

Bach’s Funeral Music Repertoire:

Johann Sebastian Bach:

BWV 106 - Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit

  • Sonatina (Instrumental only)

  • Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (Chorus)

BWV 54 - Widerstehe doch der Sünde (Alto solo with orchestra)

BWV 131 - Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir - Opening Chorus (Chorus with orchestra)

BWV 170 - Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust (Alto solo with orchestra)

Mozart: Ave Verum Corpus (Chorus with orchestra)

Bach & Friends Workshop

The popular Bach & Friends Workshop is a day-long musical event where enthusiasts of all skill levels can come together to explore the works and historical context presented by expert leaders. Participants will then have the opportunity to perform these compositions as a group. All voices and instruments are welcome!

Bach & Friends Workshop

Marco Real-d’Arbelles, Associate Artistic Director

Award-winning conductor Marco Real-d'Arbelles serves as Associate Artistic Director of the Bach Society of Minnesota and creator of "Outside the Box" series. He recently conducted sold out performances of The Cradle Will Rock with Minneapolis-based An Opera Theatre. He is also Music Director for Bold North Baroque Opera and Opera on the Lake. Born in Nicaragua, raised in Miami, where he made his debut, he has since worked with operas and orchestras in North and South America, Europe, and Asia.

Carey Shunskis, Soprano, Co-Director of Bach & Friends Workshop

Carey Shunskis is a choral conductor and soprano specializing in Early Music. Carey sings with Bach Society of Minnesota, MPLS (imPulse) and VocalEssence and is the current Music and Program Director of ComMUSICation, a non-profit uplifting the voices of youth through music. Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, Carey sang with the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston.

Full Day Schedule:

9:00-9:30, Arrival and Registration

9:30-12:00, Sectionals: Intro..etc

12:00-1:00 pm, Lunchtime Conversation

1:00-3:30, Music Together

Music Selections:

I.  Gloria

II. Et in terra pax

IV. Gratias agimus tibi and the following propter magnam

VI. Domine Fili unigenite

XI. Cum Sancto Spiritu

All other instruments are welcome! Don't see your instrument listed? No problem! Write to us at marco.realdarbelles@bachsocietymn.org so we can work out what to play.

Singers, please check out the videos below to help you learn your part. 

Music Parts by Instruments:

Don't see your instrument listed?

Write to marco.realdarbelles@bachsocietymn.org and we'll assign you a part!

All instruments welcome!

Music Selections:

Zadok the Priest fromCoronation Anthems by Handel

Happy We from Acis and Galatea by Handel

Time is Supreme from Triumph of Time and Truth by Handel

Abridged version of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto 3, 1st movement

Abridged version of Bach's Brandenburg Concerto 5, 1st movement

What is Bach & Friends Workshop?

Bach and Friends workshops are aimed at the many amateur musicians in our communities. In a single day, singers and instrumentalists gather to learn and perform Baroque masterpieces. Sectional rehearsal in the morning, followed by lunch, then combining forces to make glorious music! 

Participant Age?

No limit! School age, college student, community player, church choir singer, community choir singer, etc... All are welcome!

What level of music reading/playing does it require?

Parts are downloadable above. If you've had experience in a choir or a small ensemble, you can do it!

What if I play an instrument that is not listed?

No worries, contact us and we will sort it out with you together!

What if I am only available for half of the day?

We strongly recommend you participate for the whole day, but missing a little bit in the morning or afternoon would be excused.

What does the registration fee include?

Lunch and a whole lot of fun (well, if you love Baroque music!).

*Contact us if the registration fee is the only barrier keeping you from participating in our workshop; scholarships are available upon request.

What's provided for lunch?

Sandwiches, wraps, vegetables, salad, fruit, cookies, chips, snacks, and sparkling water.

Is advanced registration required?

It is strongly encouraged, so we know how much food to prepare. 

How comfortable are the seats?

You will be sitting on individual chairs, not in the hard oak pews. There are several moveable upholstered seats for those who may need them. You can also walk around or stand up whenever you feel like it. It's a low-key day of music-making and sharing!

Is the building accessible?

Yes.

Other Questions?

Contact us at 612-440-6219 | marco.realdarbelles@bachsocietymn.org

Questions & Answers about the Workshop:

Photo taken from May 2023 Workshop, tutti rehearsal in the afternoon.

 

“My kids said I was going to music camp for adults. They were right. It was great fun!” 

– Past participant

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