Concordia Seminary announces the 19th season of its Sunday afternoon concert series, Bach at the Sem. Four concerts will be performed in the Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus on the campus of Concordia Seminary at 3:00 p.m.

In the first concert on October 10, Artist-in-Residence and Conductor Robert Bergt will lead The American Kantorei, Chamber Chorus, soloists, and orchestra in J. S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor, performing the Kyrie and Gloria in Excelsis. The Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei will be performed in the second concert on December 5. The chorus of 30 singers and orchestra of 21 musicians perform with modern concepts yet they incorporate styles and performance that is informed by the Baroque techniques.

During the October 10 concert,  Dr. Emily Truckenbrod (SIU-Edwardsville faculty member) will make her debut with The American Kantorei as soprano soloist.

On February 13, 2011, Organist Dennis Bergin will perform four of Johann Ernst’s and Antonio Vivaldi’s concerti as transcribed by Bach. On April 17, Palm Sunday, The American Kantorei will perform Cantata 4, Christ Jesus Lay in Death’s Strong Bands. The Magnificat will conclude the season on this day.

The American Kantorei is a choral and orchestral ensemble dedicated to the performance of church music from the Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, and Neoclassical periods. The works of J. S. Bach form the core of its repertoire. Music Director and Conductor Robert Bergt is known as a symphonic and chorale conductor with a specialization in the music of Bach and other masters of the Baroque Period. Bach at the Sem is funded largely through the generosity of individual supporters.

For more information concerning Bach at the Sem or to be added to the Bach at the Sem mailing list, contact Concordia Seminary, 801 Seminary Place, St. Louis, MO 63105; 314-505-7362; bach@csl.edu; or visit the Concordia Seminary website at www.csl.edu.