The Sonora Bach Festival will present its Youth Concert on Sunday, Oct.6 at 3 p.m., at the historic Church of the 49ers in Columbia. The performance will feature area instrumentalists and vocalists from age eight through high school. A reception in the church fellowship hall will follow.

Tickets, $5 for adults and under 18 free, are available online at the Festival website (sonorabach.org); by calling the Festival number 536-6330; at The Mountain Bookshop in the Junction Shopping Center in Sonora; and at the door.

The kickoff concert of the 2019 Sonora Bach Festival, the Youth Concert, will feature 25 young musicians from the Central Mother Lode chosen by competitive audition and recommendation by their private instructors. Local musicians and teachers Gail Buzzard, Jane Buzzard, and Joy Willow served as judges for the auditions. Performers were required to memorize their audition pieces. All those that auditioned received written comments from the judges; those selected to perform at the Festival also received a $50 award.

The concert of young instrumentalists and vocalists will offer solo performances as well as ensembles where the students rehearse together and prepare chamber music.

“We had some wonderful young people audition this year. It should make for a beautiful and impressive concert,” said Sandra Betti, Youth Concert Co-Coordinator and Sonora Bach Festival Board Member.

The selections performed by the 25 musicians will feature classical music from the Baroque period through the early Romantic era.

“This music, chosen by the students’ private teachers, not only exposes them to classical repertoire but also improves their technique as they work to overcome technical challenges,” said Youth Concert Co-coordinator and local music teacher, Makena Clark.

The Sonora Bach Festival is a series of four events held throughout the month of October. Run by a board of interested musicians and music lovers, the Festival presents concerts that provide performing opportunities for local and out-of-area musicians while providing attendees with opportunities to hear great classical music. The Festival, begun by pianist, composer and conductor Carl Wirth in 1974, continues to provide quality musical experiences for the Central Mother Lode region.

Future events in the Festival include Oct. 12, Gala Concert and Dinner; Oct. 20, the Local’s Concert; and Oct. 27, Bach’s Brunch.

More information is also available on the Festival Facebook page: Sonora Bach Festival.