The Bach Festival Society of Winter Park is kicking off its 91st season this fall, continuing its legacy as one of Central Florida’s most loved arts institutions. Under the leadership of Artistic Director and Conductor John V. Sinclair, a choir, orchestra, and guest soloists will present a season that reimagines the influence of Johann Sebastian Bach for today’s audiences starting October 19.
History
The Bach Festival Society was founded in 1935 by Rollins College faculty members and music professors who wanted to bring the music of J.S. Bach to Central Florida.
“Anybody who’s ever studied music has been inspired by J.S. Bach,” said John V. Sinclair.
Initially, the society’s performances were informal and small-scale, but they quickly gained popularity. Within a few years, they began selling tickets and fundraising to support their concerts.
The society’s founder, Christopher Honaas, made a pivotal decision in the 1940s to expand the repertoire beyond just Bach’s work. Honaas established a new mission: “We will do music that could have been inspired by J.S. Bach.”
Sinclair said because of this mission, musicians and composers like himself study his theory and how he wrote. The society continues this tradition, offering a lineup of more than 20 performances that range from beloved masterworks to new interpretations designed to resonate with a new generation.
When Dr. Sinclair started 36 years ago, the festival lasted for only three days with a few concerts. Now, the season is packed with diverse events spanning several months. The choir has also grown in both size and quality.
A Conductor’s Connection
John Sinclair came to Central Florida to teach at Rollins College with the understanding that he would eventually take over leadership of the Bach Festival. “It’s my job to pick music that speaks to the spirit and the intellect at the same time,” said Sinclair.
He believes his job as Artistic Director is to be a cheerleader for classical music. “And it’s not hard to defend, but people have got to come and try it. You know it’s an acquired taste, but once you taste it, it’s like you’ve had this greatest dessert.” said Sinclair. He encourages people to experience it for themselves and you might find yourself wanting more.
The Annual Bach Festival
The 91st Bach Festival season starts on October 19 and is filled with a variety of exciting performances. Here are some of the highlights:
- Daniel Adam Maltz: The season opens with a performance by an internationally known fortepianist, who performs on the type of instrument Mozart and Haydn would have used.
- Date: Sunday, October 19, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Voctave: The 10th Anniversary Tour: The Bach Festival is presenting Voctave, an acapella group that lives locally but performs all over the country and internationally. The society has presented the group since its origin, and this performance celebrates its 10th anniversary.
- Date: Saturday, October 25, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Carmina Burana & Rhapsody in Blue: This production will be performed at Steinmetz Hall and will feature a full orchestra and a 200-singer choir performing Carmina Burana. The concert will also include an Iconic American classic, Rhapsody in Blue, with pianist Byeol Kim.
- Date: Sunday, November 2, 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM
- Vespers, Sergei Rachmaninoff: A personal favorite for Dr. Sinclair, this performance will feature the Bach Vocal Artists, a professional vocal ensemble.
- Date: Friday, November 7, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- A Classic Christmas: This annual tradition is nationally broadcast on PBS. The concert, conducted by Sinclair, features the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra joined by guest soloists. The program consists of classic and contemporary holiday music. These performances are held in Knowles Memorial Chapel at Rollins College to capture the magic of the holiday season.
- Dates: Saturday, December 13, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM; Sunday, December 14, 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM or 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
- Colin MacKnight: A unique organ concert featuring rising star and award-winning organist.
- Date: Friday, February 6, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- VOCES8: A rare Central Florida appearance by the acclaimed British vocal ensemble VOCES8. The group is known for its wide-ranging repertoire, which includes early English choral music, jazz, musicals, and pop arrangements.
- Date: Sunday, February 15, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Serving the Community
While the society has grown over the years, some of its core traditions remain. The volunteer choir is a cornerstone of the organization, with members coming from all walks of life- from medical doctors and accountants to students and professors- and from as many as nine different counties.
The Bach Festival society makes an effort to stay connected with the Central Florida community. They are actively involved in free community events, such as Christmas in the Park and the city’s Fourth of July program. They are also often called upon to perform for government occasions, like the Orange County Mayor’s “State of the County” address.
Sinclair believes in making music accessible to everyone. “Singing is from cradle to grave, and my job is to make sure there’s opportunities for people to sing as early as they want to and as late as they want to,” said Sinclair.
They also have a large educational program, offering clinics and workshops for high school and middle school choirs, as well as maintaining children’s youth, and senior citizen choirs.
The Timeless Appeal of Classical Music
When asked if it’s difficult to keep classical music relevant in the modern world, Dr. Sinclair explains that he sees music in terms of “food groups.” He said, “What we hear on the radio is we hear a lot of Twinkies,” which are fun but lack nutritional value. Classical music is like a “protein,” timeless and full of substance. He believes that taste often changes over time, and when it develops, people often gravitate toward the finest of a genre, and in music, that seems to be classical music.
He shared a story about meeting Art Garfunkel, who called Bach’s Mass in B Minor “the greatest piece of music ever written.” When Dr. Sinclair expressed his surprise, Garfunkel simply replied, “You got to grow up sometime.”
“Our seats may be reserved, but we are not,” Sinclair said. The Bach Festival Society is an organization that offers something for everyone, Sinclair encourages the public to give them a try.