Members of Los Angeles choir moved by performing in Bach's town

Published: 2005-12-12

LEIPZIG, Germany (CNS) -- They were only 20 minutes into their first rehearsal at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig -- where Johann Sebastian Bach is buried and composed his finest sacred choral works -- when the members of Our Lady of the Angels Cathedral Choir began to fully comprehend the significance of the moment. "Many of us had a 'Look where were are!' moment of realization," said choir member Peggy Cribbs. "We were moved to be singing Bach's music in Bach's church." In November, the Cathedral Choir was one of four select choirs invited to participate in the inaugural "Soli Deo Gloria" Bach Choral Festival, along with ensembles from England, Japan and Korea. This was the first tour for the ethnically and age diverse Cathedral Choir, which sings Sundays at 10 a.m. Under music director Frank Brownstead, they prepared months to master Bach's complex music in German.

Copyright (c) 2005 Catholic News Service /U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The CNS news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed, including but not limited to such means as framing or any other digital copying or distribution method, in whole or in part without the prior written authority of Catholic News Service .