Bach Festivals & Cantata Series
Junior Bach Festival, Berkeley, CA

Name:

Junior Bach Festival

Location:

Berkeley, California, USA

Venues:

The Crowden Music Center, Berkeley, CA
MusicSources, 1000 The Alameda, Berkeley, CA
St. John's Presbyterian Church, 2727 College Ave., Berkeley, CA

Years:

Since 1953 (Annual Festival)

Months:

March

Artistic Director:

Tirzah Mailkoff (1953-1961)
William Duncan Allen (1962-1981)
Sally Kell
James Gary
Mary Louise Hynes
Karla Lemon
Eric Hansen
Laurette Goldberg
Sharon Mann
Anna Carol Dudley
Margret Elson
Cheryl Keller
Ron McKean
Ken Durling (-2007)
Amy Brodo (since 2008)

Ensembles:

V/A

Website:

Junior Bach Festival

History & Mission:

Junior Bach Festival was founded in Berkeley, California in 1953. Carmel Bach Festival, then in its 18^th season, had inspired a young music student to ask her teacher, Tirzah Mailkoff, why there wasn't such a festival for children. In response, Tirzah and others founded the Festival and she became its first music director. Following her, the directorship has been assumed by other prominent Bay Area musicians, William Duncan Allen, Sally Kell, James Gary, Mary Louise Hynes, Karla Lemon, Eric Hansen, Laurette Goldberg, Sharon Mann, Anna Carol Dudley, Margret Elson, Cheryl Keller, Ken Durling, Ron McKean and Amy Brodo.
The Festival promotes the appreciation and performance of J.S. Bach's music by presenting annually a series of concerts showcasing young musicians under age 21 from all over northern California. Except for vocalists, performers are chosen from auditions by judges placed behind screens to assure impartiality. Judging is highly selective; generally, only 20 to 30 percent of the auditioners are invited to play in the Festival. Whether or not a participant is chosen, the audition procedure is regarded as a valuable experience. Students learn discipline and musicianship through having memorized, prepared and performed for the auditions. The festival is held in March, usually around J.S. Bach's birthday, the 21^st.
Since the mid 1980's, the Festival Association has also sponsored annual workshops in the fall for students and teachers, focusing on topics such as baroque style, proper ornamentation, and the relation of dance to J.S. Bach's music. A school outreach program was initiated in 1990.
Throughout the years many Junior Bach alumni have pursued careers in music, teaching and performing locally or in concert halls nationwide and worldwide. Their success indicates that the educational efforts of our organization for over 50 years have been indeed worthwhile.
Junior Bach Festival Association is staffed by volunteers, an elected Board and appointed Music Director. Both hard work and financial contributions enable our organization to continue its efforts to enrich the musical lives of young people.

Recent Festivals:

57^th Festival: Mar 19-28, 2010
58^th Festival: Mar 18-27, 2011
59^th Festival: Mar 23-Apr 1, 2012
60^th Festival: Mar 15-24, 2013

61^st Festival: Mar 21-30, 2014
62^nd Festival: Mar 13-22, 2015
63^rd Festival: Mar 18-27, 2016

Logo: