The Bach Society at Christ the King Lutheran Church celebrates its twenty-fifth anniversary this season. Founding Music Director Robert Lynn related the story of the Society’s inception to current Music Director Albert LeDoux:
In the Beginning . . .
The early eighties in Houston were filled with “early music” activity. Much of this activity took place in what is now the parish hall of Christ the King Lutheran Church. There were programs by Houston ensembles Musica Nova, Houston Baroque Ensemble, Houston Harpsichord Society, and the Historical Instrument Society. The dedication of the new nave on September 26, 1982, provided a focal point for much of this activity as we were able to perform using new methods learned at a Bach workshop.
In July of 1982, four members of the Lynn family took part in a Bach workshop held at the University of Michigan under the leadership of harpsichordist Edward Parmentier and two Dutch singers, Max van Egmont and Harry Gevaerts. Michael Lynn, son and baroque flutist, was also on the faculty. Sarah, daughter and soprano, later was a choir member and soloist with the Bach Society at Christ the King Church. Inspired by the workshop, the Lynn’s performed Bach cantatas, using as much of the original performance style as possible.
Shortly after returning home from the workshop, I was approached by Carroll Shaddock (full of new ideas, then as now) to discuss the possibilities of establishing a Bach Society at Christ the King, primarily to present Bach Vespers. Having so recently learned all there was to know about presenting Bach cantatas, I agreed to become music director for this Society. Fortunately, I was able to draw on excellent musicians (13 singers and 12 instrumentalists) primarily from local early-music groups, who after four rehearsals, ambitiously presented Cantata 21 in the first Bach Vespers service, on November 7, 1982. Among the singers in the first Vespers was Elaine, my wife, who also served as chief constructive critic.
It is a great satisfaction for me to see and hear the continuance of the Bach Society and its increasing diversity of presentations.
Robert Lynn
Click here for information on the twenty-fifth aniversary celebration.