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Join us for Bach's Birthday Bash on Saturday, March 21, with 

 host Michael Barone. This year's celebration includes five free, hourlong concerts at venues in St. Paul, as well as a live broadcast of the first concert at 9 a.m. Central that you can listen to on YourClassical MPR.

Bach's birthday comes around every year on March 21. The occasion calls for a celebration of this most remarkable of musical talents, and Minnesota Public Radio's Michael Barone (host of 

) decided that Johann Sebastian Bach deserved something special. A number of years ago, he and colleagues from the Twin Cities chapter of the American Guild of Organists arranged a Bach's Birthday Bash, and the idea blossomed.

The event has become something of a local tradition, with enthusiasts from all parts of the state participating or just listening.

This year's activities feature five free, hourlong public concerts of Bach's music, presented at five venues and churches in St. Paul during the morning and afternoon of Saturday, March 21.  

Co-sponsors include the Twin Cities Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and YourClassical MPR. 

9 a.m. at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church (700 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul):

 The first concert will be aired live at 9 a.m. Central by YourClassical MPR. You can hear it on KSJN 99.5 FM in the Twin Cities and live-streamed using the audio player above. Performers include organists Brenda Sevcik, Dean Billmeyer and Celina Kobetitsch; pianists Gideon Scheeler; and guitarist Lukas Murdych.

Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church (1900 Stanford Ave., St. Paul):

 Performers include organists Joel Anderson and Bruce Jacobs; flutist Jeeyoun Kang; pianists Sujin Cho and Jeana Ogren; the Elm Ensemble; conductor Sally Messner; and saxophonist David Milne.

(Summit Avenue at Lexington Avenue, St. Paul):

 Performers include organists Samuel Libra, Emily Roth, Noah Strom and Daniel Schwandt; and violist Samantha Lee.

2:30 – 3:30 p.m. at St. Clement Episcopal Church (901 Portland Avenue, St. Paul):

 Performers include organists Catherine Rodland, Amy Maakestad, Graeme Schields and Nicholas Kees.

4 – 5 p.m. at House of Hope Presbyterian Church (797 Summit Ave., St. Paul):

 Performers include organists Wolfgang Rübsam, David Jenkins and Nils Halker; and pianist Jacob Marvets.

Twin Cities American Guild of Organists event page

Building upon a curiosity which began in his teens, Michael Barone has been involved with the pipe organ for more than 40 years. As host and senior executive producer of Pipedreams, produced and distributed by American Public Media, he is recognized nationally for his outstanding contributions to the world of organ music.  Pipedreams began in 1982 and remains the only nationally distributed weekly radio program exploring the art of the pipe organ. Michael's talent and commitment have been recognized with numerous awards, including the American Guild of Organists President's Award in 1996, the Distinguished Service Award of the Organ Historical Society in 1997 and the 2001 ASCAP-Deems Taylor Award. In November 2002 he was selected for induction to the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.  He also hosts broadcasts of the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and The New Releases on Minnesota Public Radio.


Michael Barone

You're invited to be a part of Bach's Birthday Bash on Saturday, March 21, with ‘Pipedreams’ host Michael Barone. This year's celebration includes five free, hourlong concerts at venues in St. Paul, as well as a live broadcast of the first concert at 9 a.m. Central that you can hear or watch online. 


Join us for Bach's Birthday Bash on March 21 in St. Paul

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