Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas

05/07/2026

Bach Ensemble Artistic Director Carlton Monroe delivered this reflection before the March 22 Vespers.

"Sailing experience comes in many forms, but two have shaped my thinking — ocean sailing and lake sailing — and the contrast between them turns out to be a surprisingly useful lens for tonight’s cantata."

https://bachensemble.org/2026/05/01/bach-reflection-3-22-26/

05/05/2026

Bach Ensemble Artistic Director Carlton Monroe's Reflection from last April's Vespers service.

"Human beings, from our beginnings, have been pattern-seeking creatures."

https://bachensemble.org/2026/05/05/bach-reflection-4-26-2026/

04/28/2026

https://open.substack.com/pub/bachtalk/p/the-opposite-of-sorrow?r=2k2ch&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

On seeing patterns and finding meaning

04/27/2026

A beautiful close to the season.

The final Bach Vespers of the 2025–2026 season took place Sunday, April 26 at 5:00 p.m. at St. Thomas in Terrace Park, featuring The Bach Ensemble Orchestra and Chorale under the direction of Carlton Monroe, with Michael Unger performing the organ recital. The program included J.S. Bach’s Christ lag in Todes Banden (BWV 4), Moses Hogan’s Abide with Me, and William Byrd’s Haec Dies—a fitting Easter-season conclusion full of resurrection, reflection, and joy.

It also marked the close of a milestone season for the ensemble: seven Bach Vespers services and four Friday evening concerts

A season rooted in timeless music—and a strong foundation for what comes next.

04/22/2026

Michael Unger will perform the prelude organ recital before this Sunday's Vespers at St. Thomas. The recital begins at 4:30.

Originally from Toronto, Canada, Michael Unger is an award-winning organist and harpsichordist who performs as a soloist and chamber musician across North America, Europe, and Asia. Since 2013, he has served as Associate Professor of Organ and Harpsichord at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music.

A First Prize winner of the American Guild of Organists’ National Young Artists’ Competition and the International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo, he has also earned top honors at the International Schnitger Organ Competition in the Netherlands. He has appeared at major festivals and conventions worldwide and collaborated with ensembles including the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Cincinnati Opera, and Collegium Cincinnati.

His recordings on Naxos and Pro Organo have received international acclaim, and his performances have been broadcast on programs including Pipedreams and With Heart and Voice. He currently serves as organist of Cincinnati’s historic Isaac M. Wise – Plum Street Temple.

04/20/2026

Joy, brilliance, and resurrection in full voice ✨

Here’s the final movement of J.S. Bach’s Easter Oratorio—a radiant celebration of hope and triumph. With soaring voices and jubilant orchestration, Bach captures the wonder of Easter in music that still inspires centuries later.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this unforgettable performance at St. Gertrude Catholic Church. The Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas is your Cincinnati home for the genius of J.S. Bach.

Join us this Sunday at St. Thomas at 5:00 for the final Vespers of the 25-26 Season.

04/18/2026

Wow! What a performance of Bach's Easter Oratorio. Thank you to all the patrons who attended last night, and to the wonderful Bach Ensemble musicians.

Next up - the last event on our 25-26 season, a Bach Vespers on April 26.

04/17/2026

The four-hour countdown has begun! The Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas' joyous Easter Oratorio is presented tonight - 7:30 at St. Gertrude Catholic Church. Prepare to be inspired!

https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/st-thomas-episcopal-church/resurrection

04/14/2026

Just three days until the Resurrection Concert.

Bach’s Easter Oratorio is music of joy—but not a simple kind. It’s the kind that comes on the other side of something.

I’m especially excited to share this program with you.

Join us.

🎟 Tickets:https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/st-thomas-episcopal-church/resurrection

04/10/2026

In the Easter Oratorio, Johann Sebastian Bach transforms the Resurrection into sound: soaring voices, dancing rhythms, and the triumphant brilliance of trumpets and timpani. From its exuberant opening to its joyful final chorus, this music doesn’t reflect—it proclaims. Hear it next Friday at St. Gertrude Church - 6543 Miami Ave Cincinnati, OH 45243 - performed by the Bach Ensemble at St. Thomas under the direction of Carlton Monroe.

https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/st-thomas-episcopal-church/resurrection

Pre-concert lecture at 6:30.