Saturday, June 11 – Saturday, June 18, 2022

The Illinois Bach Academy will culminate in a performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion on Saturday evening, June 18 in Foellinger Great Hall in Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets for the 7:30 PM performance on June 18th will go on sale on May 3, 2022 on the Krannert Center website.

The Academy faculty includes some of the country’s leading experts in the study and performance of 17th and 18th-century music including Baroque violinists Nancy Wilson and Leah Gale Nelson; conductor Andrew Megill; and members of Fuma Sacra, one of the country’s finest professional vocal ensembles specializing in early music, as well as members of the Fuma Sacra Baroque Orchestra.

The Academy is designed for musicians of all experience levels, united by their interest in the music of Bach. Each day begins with the IBA participants gathering for a lecture exploring the historical and liturgical context of the works being studied. The rest of the morning and early afternoon are spent in rehearsals. In the late afternoon, participants divide into tracks with daily events geared toward their particular interest and experience. (see descriptions of the various tracks available below). The week also includes seminars on Baroque performance practice, as well as related concerts, including an IBA Faculty recital. The week’s work will culminate in a final concert.

“I have greatly enjoyed the IBA for each of the past three years, and I’m looking forward to attending again this year. It’s a wonderful experience for anyone interested in exploring some of the world’s greatest choral music, performing with a world-class ensemble, learning about J.S. Bach’s music and life from world-renowned experts, and making new friends who share your passion for making great music.”

Andrew Walsh
Bay Village, OH

Participant Tracks
SINGER. This track is ideal for passionate amateur and experienced choral singers, with the ability to read music, as well as music teachers and undergraduate music education and performance students who want to learn about and perform major Bach works, Participants in the SINGER track, will be divided into small groups for voice lessons and German diction classes. Acceptance is on a rolling basis with no requirements beyond the application form.

YOUNG ARTISTS. This track is ideal for undergraduate or graduate music majors (or recent graduates) with significant vocal experience. Participants in the YOUNG ARTIST track will be mentored by members of Fuma Sacra, receive daily coaching on solo and small ensemble repertoire which will be performed on an evening recital. In addition to coaching and singing in the choir, the Young Artists will understudy arias from the cantatas being studied, coach with Andrew Megill and Nancy Wilson. A maximum of a double quartet of singers will be admitted in this track through a recorded audition process (for audition requirements email Andrew Megill at amegill@illniois.edu). Read more about the Young Artist Track.

CONDUCTORS. This track is ideal for conductors with some experience. In addition to participating in the choir, participants in the CONDUCTOR track will attend lectures with Andrew Megill on score study and analysis, rehearsal technique, working with instruments, performance practice, and recitative conducting. Only eight conductors will be admitted to this track. Contact Andrew Megill at amegill@illinois.edu to express interest.

MUSICOLOGY: The musicology track is designed for those who have a love for music history, and a desire to more fully understand Bach’s world and the relationship of his music to his time and place. In addition to participating in the choir, musicology students will enjoy daily seminars exploring Bach’s world in greater detail. Acceptance is on a rolling basis with no requirements beyond the application form.

INSTRUMENTALIST: Admittance to this track is by audition only, and is reserved for highly skilled professional instrumentalists who want to expand their knowledge of Baroque performance practice. Participants in this track receive daily coaching with Nancy Wilson and Leah Nelson on solo and chamber music repertoire, and will play as part of the orchestra in the final performance. If you are interested in this track, please contact Andrew Megill at amegill@illinois.edu.

Professional Development hours are available to teachers without any additional fees. Indicate your preference in the application.

Subscribe to our list to receive email updates on our summer Choral Programs

Learn more about Choral Music at the University of Illinois.