This program segment is generously sponsored by Dan Layman & Pamela Fox

Music Director Paul Weber once again leads the combined forces of the Staunton Bach Orchestra, the BATC Chamber Choir, soloists, and guest artists in an inspiring final hour, the centerpiece this year being Bach’s Cantata No. 21: “The concluding chorus is a veritable coup de thêatre. In a dazzling declamatory outburst Bach suffuses his canvas in a radiance of colour, unleashing three trumpets and timpani for their first and only appearance in the cantata. This hymn of praise is in the form of a prelude and fugue whose jubilant, even heroic character brings one of Bach’s most powerful cantatas to a resonant concluding ‘Alleluia!’” – Author Nicholas Anderson

SEE THE FULL PROGRAM WITH CANTATA TEXT HERE

Cantata BWV 21: Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis ("I had much grief")

Extended Chorale BWV 129.5 Gelobet sei der Herr, mein Gott

Audience Chorale BWV 128.5: Gelobet sei der Herr ("To God with Joyful Song")

2025 BATC Chamber Choir and Orchestra 
Paul Weber, conductor
Sheila Dietrich, soprano
Charles Humphries, countertenor
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Adrian Smith, bass
Jeanette Zyko, oboe
Wanchi, concertmaster
Jihyun Baik, violin 2
Jiwon Kim, viola
Hun Choi, cello
Lorenzo Nigrelli, double bass
Ryan Romine, bassoon
Chris Carrillo, Christine Carrillo, Clint Linkmeyer, trumpet
Charles Nesmith, timpani
Florence Jowers, continuo organ
Soprano: Nancy Dennis, Sarah Grove-Humphries, Lillie Harner, Kate Harrington, Kaitlyn Townsend
Alto: Laura Douglass, Sean Dye, Sarah Hamilton, Lauren Johnson, Marina Pratt, Anne Stanford, 
Tenor: Daniel De Tablan, Chris Mayfield, Aaron Reichert, Matt Thomas, Joel VanderZee
Bass: Ryan Michael Blake, Sam Johnson, Sam Kauffman, Shane Siebken, Gabriel Simerson

Paul Weber, Music Director
Paul Weber received a doctor of musical arts degree in choral conducting from The University of Iowa, a master of musical arts degree in composition from Yale University, and a master of music degree in organ performance and composition from Washington University, St. Louis.  His composition teachers have included Krzysztof Penderecki, Jacob Druckman, Bruce MacCombie, Ralph Schultz, Jan Bender, and Roland Jordan.  He has studied choral repertoire and conducting with Tamara Brooks, Richard Bloesch, Jon Bailey, Joseph Flummerfelt, and Robert Bergt.  Prior to his tenure at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Weber held conducting positions at Thiel College, Greenville, Pennsylvania, and The College of Idaho, Caldwell, Idaho.
He was in the first graduating class of Christ Seminary-Seminex and received a master of divinity degree through the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago which named him a Distinguished Alumnus in 2011.  He attended Concordia College, Bronxville, New York, and Concordia Senior College, Ft. Wayne, Indiana, before registering at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis, Missouri.  He was ordained in 1979.  His ministry has included two pastorates in western Pennsylvania.  Weber is married to Florence Jowers, former University Organist at Lenoir-Rhyne and Conductor of the Lenoir-Rhyne Youth Chorus. They are the parents of three adult children:  Erin, Jeffrey, and Amanda.