BACH Music Ensemble (1996-) | University of Illinois Archives

Name: BACH Music Ensemble (1996-)

Historical Note: BACH was founded in 1996 as the only professional musical ensemble of Illinois, outside of Chicago, that specializes in performing Baroque music. Since then, the ensemble has performed many concerts in the Champaign-Urbana area. It was first led by Chester Alwes, professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, who specializes in the performance practice of early music. Alwes was succeeded by Joseph Baldwin in 2017 and then by Sarah Riskind in 2021. The ensemble has performed in many local places of worship in the Champaign Urbana area, including the chapel of St. John the Divine, Faith United Methodist Church, Holy Cross Catholic Church, the Sinai Temple, Grace Lutheran Church, and St. Patrick Catholic Church. The ensemble has performed many masterworks of the choral canon, including Brahams' German Requiem, JS Bach's B Minor Mass, and CPE Bach's Magnificat.

Sources: See www.baroqueartists.com for more information.

Note Author: Nolan Vallier