Events

Instrumental Master Class and Continuo Workshop

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
11:10 a.m.-1 p.m., Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218

For the first half, guest artists Leif Woodward, cello, and Anna Washburn, violin, will coach Cal Poly students in instrumental repertoire from the Baroque era, with a focus on historically informed performance. During the second half, the guest artists will coach students in effective continuo playing, which is the foundation of all Baroque music.

Free admission

Vocal Master Class

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
3:10 p.m., Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218

Guest artist John Buffett will coach several Cal Poly voice students in repertoire from the Baroque era.

Free admission

Akademie Lecture-Demonstration: Music for the Golden Hour

Thursday, Jan. 23, 2025
7:30 p.m., Cal Poly Davidson Music Center, Room 218

Music Department Chair Alicia M. Doyle will present a lecture titled "Music for the Golden Hour" which will explore the evolution of service music for Vespers from chant to J.S. Bach. Guest performers will demonstrate the lecture concepts. 

Free admission

Chamber Concert: Buxtehude — The Italian Influence in Northern Germany

Friday, Jan. 24, 2025
7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo 

Bach Week welcomes back the world-class musicians of Tesserae Baroque! A period instrument ensemble specializing in repertoire of the Renaissance and Baroque periods. The music of Dietrich Buxtehude was a profound influence on Bach’s style. In this program, Tesserae and festival bass John Buffett will explore works by Buxtehude and his contemporaries alongside selected early Italian works — which in turn had a profound influence on the early German style. Featuring vocal cantatas alongside virtuosic instrumental works, this program traces the thread between the early Baroque style and the music of J.S. Bach.

Members of Tesserae Baroque:

• Anna Washburn, baroque violin
• Leif Woodward, baroque cello
• Aaron Westman, baroque violin
• Alexandra Opsahl, recorder
• Ian Pritchard, harpsichord

Tickets ($22 general, $12 students) 

Special ticket price for both Jan. 24 and 25 concerts ($30 general, $15 students)

Bach Week Finale: Magnificat

Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025
Two performances!
2 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo 
7:30 p.m., First Presbyterian Church of San Luis Obispo 

Members of Cal Poly’s Chamber Choir, Symphony and faculty will join with guest artists to perform works based on the Magnificat text, a canticle from the traditional Vespers service that shares the song of Mary from the Gospel of Luke. 

Tickets ($22 general, $12 students) 

Special ticket price for both Jan. 24 and 25 concerts ($30 general, $15 students)