Bach Around the Clock 2026
2026-03-21 09:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Christ Lutheran Church, 2807 North Augusta Street, Staunton, VA, 24401, United States
A free community-wide marathon celebration of the music and majesty of Johann Sebastian Bach. From sunup to sundown, you’ll hear superb string soloists, renowned organists, guitarists, pianists, choirs, & brilliant ensembles, performing the inspiring and moving works of “the immortal god of harmony.“

VENUE & DIRECTIONS
Christ Lutheran Church — 2807 North Augusta Street Staunton, VA 24401

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE
We invite you to be a vital part of Bach Around the Clock! As a free event that attracts everyone from Baroque music connoisseurs from across the state to local families eager for cultural programming, we rely on supporters like you to underwrite each performance segment. You can sponsor a programming segment, helping us bring this inspiring event to life and ensuring that world-class performances remain accessible to all. As an Hour Sponsor, you will be recognized in event materials and during your sponsored hour—demonstrating your commitment to music, community, and artistic excellence. Claim your segment today and help keep Bach’s brilliance alive for all to enjoy!

SPONSOR A PROGRAM SEGMENT

9:00 AM: PreludioGreat beginnings to Bach’s solo works, featuring members of the Heifetz Ensemble in Residence: Emma Servadio & Carson Howell, violins; Yeh-Chun Lin, viola, and Austin Topper, cello, with additional guests.

10:00 AM: Bach At The Top of the PopsHeifetz President & CEO Benjamin K. Roe explores how Bach’s works have inspired everything from classical revivals to modern pop.

11:00 AM: Club BachMembers of Staunton’s Thursday Morning Music Club in a program of works by JSB for recorder and flute.Ruth Chodrow, recorder; Cynthia Lumme, keyboard; Laura-Jean Brand, flute; Ellen Schorsch keyboard

11:30 AM: Bach for Gamba Heifetz alumna Yeh-Chun Lin and faculty pianist Yandi Chen perform the stirring Viola da Gamba Sonata No. 1 in G Major, BWV 1027.

12:00 PM: Bach and the BoysVocal and keyboard works by JSB and his sons, featuring Mezzo-soprano Kaitlyn Townsend and pianist Tracey Schimmel Reed.

12:30 PM: Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 6The Shenandoah Chamber Players present Bach’s energetic 6th concerto, featuring four violas!

1:00 PM: Bach Da Spalla, Part IRenowned Heifetz alum Andrew Gonzalez. a master of the rare “shoulder cello,” performs the complete Cello Suite No. 5 in C minor, BWV 1011 on the compelling sound of the six-string Baroque instrument.

1:30 PM: Bach’s French Suites, Part IPianist Lawrence Quinnett plays Bach’s charming French Suites Nos. 1, 3, & 5.

2:30 PM: Bach for BrassThe elite local ensemble Nickel Plate Brass performs great works of Bach.

3:00 PM: Bach from the Balcony Members of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Chapter of the American Guild of Organists perform some of JSB’s great organ works on Christ Lutheran’s magnificent Op. 24 Taylor & Boody Organ. Featuring organists Gen Bolena, Gabriel Rhys Simerson, Larry Smith, Barbara Moore, and Florence Jowers.

3:50 PM: A Bach Birthday Coffee and Cake Break!March 21 is JSB’s 341st birthday, and we’ll celebrate with some Kaffee und Kuchen fit for Bach the Koenig!

4:05 PM: Bach at the KeyboardPianist Lawrence Quinnett is front and center with the Heifetz Ensemble in Residence to play Bach’s sprightly Keyboard Concerto No. 3 in D Major, BWV 1054.

4:30 PM: Bach’s French Suites, Pt. IIPianist Lawrence Quinnett resumes his survey of Bach’s French Suites Nos. 2, 4, & 6.

5:00 PM: Bach Da Spalla, Pt. IIHeifetz alum Andrew Gonzalez returns to the BATC stage to perform the complete Cello Suite No. 6 in D major on the viola da spalla.

5:30 PM: The Goldberg VariationsMembers of the 2026 Heifetz Ensemble in Residence – four outstanding recent alums of the Heifetz Summer program – present Bach’s epic Goldberg Variations in the remarkable arrangement for string quartet by Heifetz Artistic Director Nicholas Kitchen.

6:30 PM: Feature Organ Recital: Daniel AuneThe resident organist at the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University & Christ Lutheran Church, Baltimore, performs an assortment of Bach’s organ works

8:00 PM The Grand Finale: Now Thank We All Our God Our day-long celebration comes to a rousing end with the BATC Chamber Choir, soloists and orchestra performing the Cantatas 196 (“Der Herr denket an uns,” 79 (“Gott her Herr is Sonn und Schild,” and the final audience choral “Nun danket alle Gott” from Cantata No. 192. Music Director Paul D. Weber leads the ensemble.

PREVIOUS HIGHLIGHTS
