Dana Marsh Named New Artistic Director of Washington Bach Consort

Washington Bach Consort, America's premiere Baroque chorus and orchestra, announces the appointment of their new Artistic Director, Dr. Dana Marsh. After the tragic passing of their beloved Founder and Artistic Director, J. Reilly Lewis, in June of 2016, the Consort has been without a formal Artistic Director. For their 40th season in 2017/2018, the Consort underwent a unique auditioning process with the intent of filling the role both for the season and beyond. They compiled a Search Committee to identify five candidates and presented a full season of concerts, each lead by one of the candidates. The process was fully documented by media partners at Classical WETA 90.9 FM and can be found here.

They invited their patrons to give feedback during this process. Ultimately, the search committee chose from the pool of candidates based on feedback from the audience, musicians and board. "It is a testimony to the importance and reputation of our Consort and of our founder that all the candidates we considered for our Artistic Director, from the initial pool of 40 international applicants to our five finalists, all represented the highest level of scholarly knowledge and artistic mastery. We are grateful that our musicians and our patrons engaged with us so deeply in this search - their advice and input helped inform and validate our ultimate selection," says Stephen Wright, Washington Bach Consort Board President.

"Ultimately the challenge was to find a worthy successor to our founder, J. Reilly Lewis - someone to lead us as the next chapter of the Consort story unfolds. Dana Marsh's long and varied early music career involving both performance and leadership of ensembles in the U.S. and U.K. were important considerations. More important however, was the very enthusiastic support he received from our musicians and our very sophisticated audience members. We feel very fortunate to have found him," says Charles Reifel, head of the Consort's Artistic Committee and Treasurer of the Board of Directors.

"I can't think of a higher honor than the artistic helm of an organization like this. I look forward to building on Reilly's profound legacy, to elevate both the quality and profile of this valuable community of musicians." says Marsh.

As their much anticipated announcement goes live to the public, so does their single ticket sales for their 2018/2019 season. Those interested can purchase tickets on the Consort's newly renovated website (www.bachconsort.org), and watch a commissioned video featuring Marsh by Key In Films. The first concert of the season will be Sunday, September 16th. As part of their Series at National Presbyterian Church, the Consort will present the aptly themed Handel & Bach: Sing a New Song. A look at the full season is included below.

Founded in 1977 by acclaimed music director, Dr. J. Reilly Lewis, Washington Bach Consort is committed to ensuring that current and future audiences experience and appreciate the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and his contemporaries. Washington Bach Consort believes in nurturing the appreciation of J.S. Bach's music through the use of responsible stewardship, education and diverse community outreach efforts. As the nation's premier Baroque chamber chorus and orchestra, the Consort is guided by the principle of performing classical music with period instruments at the highest standard of artistic excellence, so that the joy, magnificence and universality of Bach's music may live on, and that his legacy be ensured.

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