It is not often that we celebrate the 325th anniversary of someone's birth. Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685, and his impact is still felt in the music created today. Every musical form - solo, vocal and orchestral works, chamber music, even jazz - all owe something of their vitality to Bach. Whether it is on your ring tone, the background of a commercial or the first music you play in the morning, Bach is alive and well and some of our region's organizations are partnering to celebrate his big birthday!

Please join the Bach Society, The Schubert Club and Minnesota Public Radio as we celebrate the gifts of Johann Sebastian Bach in concerts, a live broadcast, and a party. The events all take place between March 16 and March 21, 2010 and you won't want to miss a single one!

Tuesday, March 16

7:30 pm
The Schubert Club presents Neuss Chamber Orchestra (Program includes music of Bach)
Sundin Music Hall, Hamline University, St. Paul
Tickets: $20/$17 srs./$12 students
651.292.3268 for tickets
Info: schubert.org

Thursday, March 18

7:00 pm
Bach Birthday Party
One of the greatest composers of all time only turns 325 once, so let's celebrate! We're throwing Johann Sebastian Bach a birthday party to rival anything seen today with a night of music, food, drinks and celebration at the Dakota Jazz Club and Restuarant. Join us for music from the Bach Society of Minnesota, local cello and percussion ensemble Jelloslave, and classical music pioneer and cellist Matt Haimovitz. Happy Birthday, Bach!

Tickets: Includes admission and entertainment. Food and drinks available for purchase. $30 regular price. $25 for members of MPR, subscribers to the International Artist Series of The Schubert Club and current donors to Bach Society of Minnesota and Dakota Jazz Club

Dakota Jazz Club & Restuarant
1010 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55403-2403
612.332.1010 or www.dakotacooks.com for tickets.

Saturday, March 20

9:00 am - 10:00 am
Live Broadcast on Classical MPR
Presented by TCAGO
Cathedral of Saint Mark
519 Oak Grove Street, Minneapolis
Performers include Raymond Johnston, St. Mark's Cathedral Choir, and the Bach Society of Minnesota
Admission: Free

10:30 am - 11:30 am
Presented by TCAGO First Unitarian Society
900 Mount Curve Avenue, Minneapolis
Keyboard music (organ and piano)
Admission: free

1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Presented by TCAGO
Saint Olaf Roman Catholic Church
215 Eighth Street South, Minneapolis
Michael Ferguson and Lawrence Lawyer, organists
Admission: free

2:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Westminster Presbyterian Church Chapel
1200 Marquette Avenue, Minneapolis
Melanie Ohnstad, organ and Karen Wasiluk, flute
Admission: free

4:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Presented by TCAGO
Central Lutheran Church
333 12th Street South, Minneapolis
Carolyn Diamond, Roger Ruckert, Aaron David Miller, organists
Admission: free

7:30 pm
St. Mark's Cathedral Choir and Orchestra
present Bach's Komm, Jesu, Komm and Magnificat in D.
St. Mark's Cathedral, Minneapolis
Admission: $15

Sunday, March 21

4:00 pm
University of St. Thomas Brass Choir, Chris Volpe, director with David Jenkins, organist
Music of Bach for Brass and Organ
Admission: free
Info: 651.962.5793

4:00 pm
Summit Hill Brass Quintet with Aaron David Miller, organist
House of Hope Presbyterian Church
797 Summit Ave., St. Paul
Admission: free
Info: 651.227.6311

4:00 pm
Ken Cowan, organ recital (Program includes music of Bach)
Hennepin Avenue Methodist Church
511 Groveland Avenue, Minneapolis

8:00 pm
Bach Society of Minnesota presents Death and Taxes with Paul Boehnke, director
Darryl Taylor, countertenor
University Lutheran Church of Hope
601 13th Ave SE Minneapolis
Tickets: $20/$16 sr./student
Info: 651.602.9507 or bachsocietymn.org