Sonoma Bach

Sonoma Bach Sonoma Bach builds a community of music-lovers to share the experience of Medieval, Renaissance, Baro Seraphim.

Sonoma Bach’s mission is to bring together and nurture a community of music-lovers in our beloved Sonoma region to share in the magnificent experience of early music. We know that this music from the distant past—sacred and worldly, vocal and instrumental, solemn and joyful—can speak powerfully to today’s audiences, and we reach out not only to those already familiar with its pleasures and beautie

s and traditions, but also to those for whom the music is brand-new. Our resident ensembles—including three vocal ensembles and our period-instrument orchestra—prepare and perform an annual series of eight concert sets, featuring the finest repertoire presented in imaginative programs designed to bring to life the magic of the music and to connect compellingly with our audiences. Most of our concerts take place in the Green Music Center’s 240-seat Schroeder Hall, with its live acoustics, intimate audience experience, and wonderful Brombaugh pipe organ. In addition, we offer site-specific concerts designed for special places in Sonoma County, such as our annual concerts in the domed and frescoed Church of St. Sonoma Bach offers a variety of opportunities for learning and exploration for singers, instrumentalists and listeners alike. Our classes, workshops and lectures focus upon four broad areas: Individual skills (such as vocal technique and sight-reading); ensemble skills; knowledge of repertoire; and ‘the big picture’: What does it all mean, and how can I connect? We believe passionately in the power of music to bring people together, to help us work through life’s challenges, and to serve as a catalyst for positive change. When people make music with and for each other—with skill, with style, with love—we believe that our world becomes better. Sonoma Bach is proud to have been serving our community for 25 years through this essential activity of music-making, and we look forward eagerly to continuing our efforts for many years to come.

Midsummer Night Sings: Bob WorthJoin us on July 15 to sing selections from one of the most revered works in the choral r...
06/10/2026

Midsummer Night Sings: Bob Worth

Join us on July 15 to sing selections from one of the most revered works in the choral repertoire, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, led by Director Bob Worth, a longtime champion of the piece. Whether you’re a seasoned chorister who has sung it many times or are discovering it for the first time, come experience the joy of music, community, and a midsummer evening shared in song.

Penngrove Clubhouse
385 Woodward Ave., Penngrove

$15 per session | $40 for all 3

July 15 – Bob Worth: Highlights from Bach’s Mass in B Minor
July 22 – Amanda McFadden: American Spirituals
July 29 – Magen Solomon: Bach’s Mass in G, Jesu meine Freude & Cantata 131

All scores provided (but feel free to bring your own score for this one)!

🎟️: https://pci.jotform.com/form/250365491876164

Singer Spotlight: Erica DoriErica’s connection to Sonoma Bach goes back more than two decades, beginning as a student an...
06/03/2026

Singer Spotlight: Erica Dori

Erica’s connection to Sonoma Bach goes back more than two decades, beginning as a student and singer with Bob Worth at Sonoma State University in 2004. After earning her teaching credential in 2009 and spending nine years teaching music at Windsor High School, she reconnected with Bob during a chance encounter at Peet’s Coffee in Cotati and joined Circa 1600 in 2018. She’s been singing with us ever since.

A woman of many talents, Erica sings, conducts, and plays drums, guitar, and keyboard. She performs with the Silver Belles Caroling Group, rock band, Bangers and Smash, and various church ensembles throughout the North Bay. Each year she leads the Healdsburg Community Band’s Fourth of July concert in the plaza.

Despite her many musical pursuits, Erica considers singing with Circa 1600 her most rewarding musical experience, finding deep emotional and spiritual fulfillment in the ensemble’s thoughtfully crafted programs. We’re grateful to have her beautiful alto voice and general fun personality as part of our Sonoma Bach community!

Spend your summer singing with Sonoma Bach! Midsummer Night Sings 2026 invites singers of all levels to gather for three...
05/27/2026

Spend your summer singing with Sonoma Bach!

Midsummer Night Sings 2026 invites singers of all levels to gather for three joyful evenings of choral music-making. Each session offers the chance to dive into fantastic choral music in a welcoming, no-pressure environment. Whether you’re a longtime chorister or simply love to sing, join us for music, community, and the magic of midsummer evenings shared in song.

Penngrove Clubhouse
385 Woodward Ave., Penngrove

$15 per session | $40 for all 3

July 15 – Bob Worth: Highlights from Bach’s Mass in B Minor
July 22 – Amanda McFadden: American Spirituals
July 29 – Magen Solomon: Bach’s Mass in G, Jesu meine Freude & Cantata 131

All scores provided!

🔗: https://pci.jotform.com/form/250365491876164

That’s a Wrap!The journey down our One Long River of Song has come to and end! Whether you attended a concert, sang in o...
05/20/2026

That’s a Wrap!

The journey down our One Long River of Song has come to and end! Whether you attended a concert, sang in one of our choirs, volunteered your time, donated, brought a friend, or supported us in countless other ways, We couldn’t do it without you!

Music is never created alone. It exists because people come together to listen, sing, support, encourage, and share in something beautiful together. The community that surrounds Sonoma Bach means so much to us, and it’s clear how much it means to you all as well.

Thank you for helping us fill this season with beauty, connection, and song. Speaking of connection, we can’t wait to tell you more about our 2026-2027 Season, “Only Connect”. More on that soon, but be sure to get ready for another Sonoma Bach Adventure!

Season Closer: Music for Modern Times!This weekend, we’re diving headfirst into the music of the 20th and 21st centuries...
05/13/2026

Season Closer: Music for Modern Times!

This weekend, we’re diving headfirst into the music of the 20th and 21st centuries

Join Circa 1600 for a program featuring the shimmering colors of Debussy and Ravel, the powerful works of Hindemith, Britten’s unforgettable Rejoice in the Lamb with organ accompaniment, and works from living composers shaping today’s choral world.

We’re excited to present the final concert in our “One Long River of Song” season for you all!

Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University
Saturday, May 16 at 3PM
Sunday, May 17 at 3PM
*Pre concert lecture 35 minutes before concert*

🎟: http://sonomabach.vbotickets.com/event/season_finale_music_for_modern_times/168112

Bach Talk: Music for Modern TimesJoin Bob Worth and Amanda McFadden Thursday, May 7th, for an online BachTalk introducin...
05/06/2026

Bach Talk: Music for Modern Times

Join Bob Worth and Amanda McFadden Thursday, May 7th, for an online BachTalk introducing Circa 1600’s season finale, Music for Modern Times. This program moves beyond early music into the 20th and 21st centuries, featuring works by Debussy, Barber, Hindemith, Britten’s evocative Rejoice in the Lamb (set to texts by Christopher Smart), as well as contemporary selections from Arvo Pärt and other living composers. 

Bob and Amanda will also reflect on the season as a whole, tracing how the journey has unfolded, and offer a brief preview of the ideas shaping the 2026–27 season, Only Connect.

Zoom link can be found on sonomabach.org day of event.

Rejoice in the Lamb!Did you know Benjamin Britten wrote Rejoice in the Lamb in 1943 for the 50th anniversary of St. Matt...
04/30/2026

Rejoice in the Lamb!

Did you know Benjamin Britten wrote Rejoice in the Lamb in 1943 for the 50th anniversary of St. Matthew’s Church in Northampton? The text comes from the wonderfully eccentric poet Christopher Smart, who actually wrote it while in an asylum. One of its most famous moments celebrates a cat named Jeoffry (yes, really), blending humor, devotion, and striking musical color in a way only Britten could.

Join Circa 1600 for Music for Modern Times as we bring this extraordinary work to life alongside a vibrant program of 20th- and 21st-century music featuring the magnificent Brombaugh organ and of course, ca****la works.

Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University
Saturday, May 16 at 3PM
Sunday, May 17 at 3PM

🎟: http://sonomabach.vbotickets.com/event/season_finale_music_for_modern_times/168112

A Bold Step Forward We’re closing out our season, “One Long River of Song” by exploring the sounds of the 20th and 21st ...
04/22/2026

A Bold Step Forward

We’re closing out our season, “One Long River of Song” by exploring the sounds of the 20th and 21st centuries. From the shimmering impressionism of Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel, to the striking intensity of Paul Hindemith, this program is full of color and contrast.

We’ll also dive into the brilliance of Benjamin Britten, including Rejoice in the Lamb, alongside music by Samuel Barber and today’s living composers. And… just maybe… a touch of jazz to send the season out in style.

Saturday, May 16 at 3PM
Sunday, May 17 at 3PM

Schroeder Hall, Green Music Center, Sonoma State University

🎟: http://sonomabach.vbotickets.com/event/season_finale_music_for_modern_times/168112

What a Weekend!We’re so proud of our concert this weekend, featuring the Bach Choir and Live Oak Baroque Orchestra perfo...
04/15/2026

What a Weekend!

We’re so proud of our concert this weekend, featuring the Bach Choir and Live Oak Baroque Orchestra performing the music of Johannes Brahms for two sold-out audiences.

Now we continue toward the final chapter of our season-long journey, One Long River of Song, as Circa 1600 explores music of the modern era.

Join us May 16 & 17 at Schroeder Hall at 3 PM to experience works by Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, and more!

🔗 : http://sonomabach.vbotickets.com/event/season_finale_music_for_modern_times/168112

This Weekend: Johannes Brahms!Join us as we present the extraordinary music of Johannes Brahms in the beautifully resona...
04/08/2026

This Weekend: Johannes Brahms!

Join us as we present the extraordinary music of Johannes Brahms in the beautifully resonant Schroeder Hall. We’ll perform the brief but intense Schicksalslied, followed by the deeply moving Ein deutsches Requiem, sung by our nearly 60-voice choir and accompanied by our nearly 20-piece Orchestra.

Tickets are very limited for both performances so don’t wait, this will sell out!

Schroeder Hall, Sonoma State University
Saturday, April 11, 2026 at 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 12, 2026 at 3 p.m. (almost sold out!)

Bachgrounder lecture 35 minutes before each performance

🔗: http://sonomabach.vbotickets.com/event/spring_returns_johannes_brahms_and_the_geometry_of_hope/168111

Address

PO Box 656
Cotati, CA
94931

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Sonoma Bach posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Sonoma Bach:

Share