UK Chorale, Kentucky Bach Choir Preview Bach's Mass in B Minor

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Feb. 17, 2017) — This weekend the University of Kentucky Chorale will be joined by members of the Kentucky Bach Choir and a chamber orchestra for a performance of "Symbolum Nicenum" ("Nicene Creed" or "Nicene Credo") from Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B minor. The free public concert will begin 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at First United Methodist Church (FUMC), located in downtown Lexington at 200 W. High St.

Bach's Mass in B minor is considered one of the most beloved yet difficult works in the choral repertoire, rarely heard because of its demands and challenges. This concert is part of FUMC’s Voices Choral Concert Series and is a preview of the March 31 concert, where the work will be performed in its entirety. In addition to the "Symbolum Nicenum," the UK Chorale will be singing some rousing solo literature.

Conducted by Jefferson Johnson, director of Choral Activities at UK School of Music, the UK Chorale is the premier mixed choral ensemble at UK. While the majority of singers are music majors, there are a number of other academic disciplines represented within the ensemble. The 40-voice group prides itself in performing a wide variety of choral literature from Renaissance to 21st century. The UK Chorale has received regional and national awards — most recently an invitation to perform at the American Choral Directors Association convention with the Chattanooga Symphony in March 2016.

For more information about the UK Chorale, contact William White, administrative assistant for UK Choirs, at william.white@uky.edu.

The UK School of Music at UK College of Fine Arts has garnered a national reputation for high-caliber education in opera, choral and instrumental music performance, as well as music education, composition, and theory and music history.

The Kentucky Bach Choir's mission is to perform the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other master composers of like stature; enlighten, entertain and educate audiences about the life and work of Bach and his fellow master composers; present musical works through the single and combined talents of chorus and orchestra; and provide professional performing opportunities with high artistic standards for exceptional singers and instrumentalists.