Music for Advent and Christmas is featured at the next Bach at the Sem concert on Sunday, Dec. 13, at 3:00 p.m., in The Chapel of St. Timothy and St. Titus at Concordia Seminary. The American Kantorei chorus and orchestra, under the direction of Seminary artist-in-residence Rev. Dr. Robert Bergt, performs a concert of J.S. Bach’s music for Advent and Christmas. This concert will also celebrate the 85th anniversary of KFUO radio. The Rev. Dr. Paul Devantier will greet the audience with a message of thanksgiving to God for all the opportunities that KFUO-AM and FM have had in bringing the Gospel and great gift of music to the St. Louis region during these years. He also wishes to thank all the contributors for their gifts which have supported the mission and purpose of KFUO through eight and a half decades.

Appropriately the great music of Bach and Handel will be performed as it is dedicated to the same purpose and mission much like that of KFUO. Part I of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio, and his gorgeous Sinfonia for Christmas, are performed by The American Kantorei in the concert. Five great choruses from Handel’s Messiah conclude the concert. Robert Bergt will conduct the chorus and chamber orchestra of The American Kantorei.

As a special offering to the public, the Concordia Historical Institute will open its doors to the He Qi art exhibit “Look Toward the Heavens” between 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.

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. Conductor and music director Robert Bergt is known as an international Bach scholar, especially in understanding the centrality of the German chorale to all of Bach’s musical compositions for worship.

Bach at the Sem is made possible through the generous support of patrons and donors. An offering is taken at each concert in support of the creation and encouragement of fine live performance. Special limited seating within sight of the stage is reserved for school-age music students accompanied by an adult.

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; or e-mail bach@csl.edu.