TOP CHESTER CHOIR SAY FAREWELL TO LONG SERVING MUSICAL DIRECTOR WITH BACH CONCERT

One of Chester's leading choirs is set to wish its long-serving conductor a happy retirement with a special concert in the historic surroundings of St John's Church in Chester.

The concert, a performance of Johann Sebastian Bach's "Mass in B Minor" will be staged at St John's Church in Vicar's Lane on Saturday 22nd March at 7.00pm. Chester Bach Singers will be joined by the 18^th Century Sinfonia period orchestra and a number of soloists. The performance will be the final CBS concert to be conducted by esteemed musical director Martin Bussey who is retiring from his post with the choir after more than 38 years. 

"Mass in B Minor" was completed by Bach in 1749, just 1 year before his death, and was, to a large extent, based on earlier work including a Sanctus which Bach had composed in 1724. Sections that were specifically composed to complete the Mass in the late 1740s include the "Et Incarnatus est" part of the Credo. As usual for its time, the composition is formatted as a Neapoliton Mass consisting of a succession of choral movements with a broad orchestral accompaniment, and sections in which a more limited group of instrumentalists accompanies one or more vocal soloists. 

Speaking about the special concert, Helen Crich, the Chair of Chester Bach Singers said:

"We are delighted to be staging this very special performance of Bach's "Mass in B Minor" in the historic surroundings of St John's Church, Chester's original Cathedral. What better way to wish a very happy retirement to the wonderful Martin Bussey who has served as Choir MD for over 38 years. We're not saying farewell to Martin completely though as there are exciting plans in the pipeline involving the choir and one of Martin's new compositions of which, we hope there will be more news very soon. We hope as many people as possible will join us at St John's Church to give Martin the send-off he thoroughly deserves."

Full details of Chester Bach Singers performance of Bach's "Mass in B Minor" can be found at: 

www.chesterbachsingers.org.uk 

...where tickets (admission price includes complimentary refreshments) can be booked online.

Pictured - Conductor Martin Bussey who is retiring as Musical Director of Chester Bach Singers after more than 38 years.