About the Chorus
The CHORUS OF THE BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO was founded in early 2003 by Ruben Valenzuela with the purpose of enriching the music offerings of San Diego by presenting historically informed performances of the music of the Renaissance, Baroque, and in particular the music of J.S. Bach. The chorus consists of the finest singers in San Diego, many of whom have longstanding experience with such ensembles and performers as Chanticleer, The Waverly Consort, The Philharmonia Chorale, American Bach Soloists, James Bowman, Julianne Baird, Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, and Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra. The chorus marked its debut with a performance of the Bach Johannes-Passion with the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra marking the first San Diego performance of a major Bach work featuring local artists with period instruments.
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Read about each of the collegium's singers by pointing at their name.
About the Orchestra
The ORCHESTRA OF THE BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO was founded in 2005 to act as the instrumental counterpart to the chorus and is the first period instrument orchestra to be established in San Diego. The orchestra features a core group of players who are active with such ensembles as the Academy of Ancient Music, American Bach Soloists, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, Portland Baroque Orchestra, and Philharmonia Baroque
Violin:Viola:Viola da Gamba & VioloneCello:Lute & Theorbo: |
Traverso & Recorder:Oboe:Trumpet:Bassoon:Timpani:Organ & Harpsichord: |
The * denotes a principal player
About the Music Director
Ruben Valenzuela is the founder and music director of the Bach Collegium San Diego.
Under his direction, the ensemble made its debut in 2003 with landmark period instrument performances of the Bach Johannes Passion in collaboration with the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, and the late Michael Eagan. He has led the Bach Collegium San Diego in varied and diverse programs encompassing the music of the high Renaissance, early and high Baroque, through German motets of the 19th century. Recently, under his guidance the Bach Collegium San Diego gave the first period instrument performance of Handel's Messiah in San Diego to high acclaim. As such, he has been influential in bringing historically informed performances of 17th and 18th century music to the San Diego music community .
In November 2007, he led the chorus of the Bach Collegium San Diego on their first international tour to the XV International Academy of Ancient Organ Music in Mexico City. In 1998, as a member of the Mexican Academy of Ancient Organ Music he had the rare opportunity to present a recital on the historic 17th century Sesma organ of Mexico City Cathedral, as well as lecture and publish a series of articles in the musicological journal Heterofonia.
His early music credits include collaborations with the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra and Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, in addition to working with many of the top early music specialists on the west coast. Recently, he was invited by Jung-Ho Pak to guest conduct the San Diego Chamber Orchestra in 2009 in performances of Haydn's Creation and an upcoming Handel series.
Mr. Valenzuela is the Director of the Music & Organist of St Peter's Episcopal Church Del Mar, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Musicology & Historical Performance Practice at Claremont Graduate University where he studies harpsichord and musicology with Dr. Robert Zappulla and Dr. Nancy van Deusen. He has received harpsichord coaching with Dr. Arthus Haas and Dr. Gwendolyn Toth in New York City, and includes among his chief collaborators conductor and tenor Stephen Sturk, and violinist Pierre Joubert. He is in demand as a conductor, organist, harpsichordist, musicologist, and continuo player.
About the Orchestra Leader Pierre Joubert studied music at the Birmingham Conservatoire and graduated with an A.B.S.M. Diploma on the violin. He was also awarded the Head of Schools Prize for his work in the field of chamber music. Upon graduating, he joined the BBC Midland Radio Orchestra and from 1982 to 1992 held the position of Assistant Concertmaster of the English String Orchestra. During his time with the E.S.O. he played in concerts in the U.K., Europe, and in 1989 a major tour of the U.S.A. conducted by Sir Yehudi Menuhin.
An interest in Baroque music led to the study of the Baroque violin and in 1988 he joined the Academy of Ancient Music directed by Christopher Hogwood. As a regular member of the A.A.M. he has given concerts in all of the main concert halls of Europe, Japan, South America and the U.S.A. and worked with Christopher Hogwood, Robert Levin, Andrew Manze, and Richard Egarr. He has played on a large number of commercial recordings for Decca Records and Harmonia Mundi, including concertos and orchestral works by Bach, Handel and Vivaldi, Symphonies by Haydn and Beethoven, concertos by Mozart, and operas by Handel, Haydn and Mozart.
In 1994, he joined the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under the direction of principal conductors Sir Simon Rattle and Franz Bruggen. He has played with the orchestra in all the major cities of Europe along with regular appearances at the Lincoln Center. Highlights have included a residency at the Salzburg Festival with Sir Simon Rattle, a U.S. tour with Cecilia Bartoli including Carnegie Hall, and concerts, radio and T.V. broadcasts with Franz Bruggen, Gustav Leonhardt, William Christie, and Sir Charles Mackerras.
Since moving to San Diego, he has lectured in music history at the University of California San Diego, regularly concertizes with the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, and collaborates with Ruben Valenzuela as the orchestra leader of the Bach Collegium San Diego. Future plans include appearances with Bach Collegium San Diego and tours to Europe and the U.S. with the Academy of Ancient Music.
Board of Directors: |
Advisory Panel: |