Sonora, CA…The Sonora Bach Festival announces that it will be presenting 3 events in May: The Salon Concert, May, 15, with guest guitarist Larry Ferrara; a Guitar Master Class May 14, featuring Mr. Ferrara and talented classical guitar students; and The Locals Concert, May 22 at the Church of the 49ers. All events begin at 3:00. Tickets are available online or at The Mountain Bookshop in The Junction Shopping Center. More information is available at the festival website: sonorabach.org or by calling 209 536-6330.

After two years of Covid-related cancellations and a single event last October, The Sonora Bach Festival board is thrilled to announce that Bach is FINALLY back. Diane Wright, Executive Chairperson, said, “I speak for the entire Board when I say we are excited to be back to provide opportunities for our community to hear, once again, live performances of wonderful classical music.”

Last fall’s festival was reduced to the Youth Auditions with a small audience for each performer consisting of 10 family members or friends. Students were still adjudicated by a board of three local musicians and 20 scholarships were awarded, but no concert was held. Shiloah Stone-Fenn, one of the Youth Concert coordinators said, “We were happy, after 18 months, to provide something for our young musicians to work towards. They had spent so much time in isolation that we wanted to boost their spirits and motivate them to keep playing”.

This spring’s festival will open on May 14 with a classical guitar Master Class with San Francisco State professor and soloist Larry Ferrara. The event, will feature Mr. Ferrara and young, classical guitar students. Mr. Ferrara will offer feedback and suggestions. The class will be offered cooperatively with the St. James’ Concert Series. Local guitarist and owner of Kiel’s Music Studio, Will Kiel said, “Our concert series is looking forward to this collaboration with the Bach Festival in supporting classical music in our community. It is great being able to finally get back to public performance. Plus, as Larry’s former student, I know it will be a wonderful, supportive experience for the students”.

The event will be held at the Universalists Unitarian Fellowship Building at 19632 Mono Way, at 3:00. Admission is $5 at the door.

The Festival’s Salon Concert will follow the next day featuring Mr. Ferrara as a soloist and in concert with local flautist, Sandra Betti. “This event will be unusual for a “salon” concert,” said event co-coordinator Diane Wright. “Instead of the usual home-setting we thought we would take advantage of Hurst Ranch’s offer and use their renovated and glamorized barn. It is a popular and fun event center with concrete floor and hanging chandelier, excellent sight lines and an intimate feeling. We thought it would be quite a delightful afternoon experience”.
In addition to the concert local chef David Ingraham of “Chef Dave Cooks” will provide refreshments. Advanced reservations, for sake of food preparation, are helpful and highly recommended. Hurst Ranch will provide wine.

The last event will be the Local’s Concert on May 22. The concert will be held, as in the past, at the Church of the 49ers in Columbia at 3:00. Performers will include talented local performers performing classical vocal and instrumental music. Admission is $15.

More information is available on the festival webpage sonorabach.org.

Event occurs on 05/14/2022 from 03:00 PM to .