28th Anniversary Memories of the Bach Children's Chorus
“The Bach Children’s Chorus has given me a strong musical foundation. I have learned how to sing in harmonies, stay on pitch, be flexible with voice parts, and so much more from Mrs. Krogstad. I have found that I am at a great advantage among my musical peers due to these lessons I learned at an early age. I also have been able to experience the memories and friendships that BCC brings. These are things I will cherish forever.” - Jenna D'Angelo
“Our daughter, Audrey, has experienced many different educational opportunities. The environment that the BCC provides for the students is far and above, the most professional, nurturing and well-organized of any we have encountered to date. Karla’s dedication to the success of each student is evident throughout every aspect of the program. We are delighted to be able to provide such a wonderful opportunity for Audrey.” - Brian and Kelly Scudder
"The memory that I have of the choir is the interesting choral trips that we have been on, such as: Boston, Washington D.C., Virginia , NYC, Vermont, Canada, Baltimore and many others! The music that I did included American Folk, German, French, Italian and Spanish! Congratulations on your 25th season of the BCC, Mom!" - Ingrid Krogstad
"Becoming a member of the Bach Children’s Chorus was easily the best decision I made for my music career and my childhood. I had such a wonderful experience learning and growing in music and performance starting at a young age and those lessons carried me through to performing at the high school and college level. I am most thankful for not only the beautiful music but the way being in this special family improved my confidence in singing and in life. I have so many great memories of practicing with Karla’s CDs, large and small group rehearsals, and performing those magnificent pieces in fantastic venues around the country. I am so lucky to have been a part of this phenomenal group. Some of my best memories come from Nutcracker weekends over my 8 years in the chorus from spending time with friends to getting in the Christmas spirit around the piano! Thank you so much for the incredible gift of music, BCC." - Erin Breen
"My favorite memories include singing in the Nutcracker Ballet, practicing the lyrics to the songs in different languages, performing the National Anthem at a Yankees game, singing in the Messiah, The Planets, performing in the National Cathedral in D.C., and spending time with my BCC friends. Participating in BCC improved my musical skills, gave me a greater appreciation for different types of music, exposed me to other art forms, allowed me to visit different places in the U.S. as well as Canada, and improved my confidence. I also met some great friends I still have today.
Soon after finishing my time in the BCC, I was a Rotary Exchange student in Belgium for a year, where I got to use some of the language skills BCC helped me improve. After graduating high school, I studied in a dual degree program, which allowed me to spend two years studying at SUNY Geneseo and two years studying at La Universidad de las Américas Puebla in Mexico. I received degrees in International Relations and Spanish. Currently, I am a second-year law student at USC in Los Angeles." - Suzanna Friedman
“The love of music and the appreciation of classical and historical works from around the world fostered by the BCC is one of the most precious gifts that can be bestowed on a child, as it is a gift that they will carry with them for a lifetime. The attention to detail, the hard work and dedication, are skills that will translate to all other parts of their lives. Music is an integral part of every culture in the world and speaks to the heart and spirit of every human being.”- Dr. Clairissa Breen
"A great friend of mine recommended auditioning for the BCC in mid 2010 after I had performed a 30 second piece as part of a school play. I had almost turned down that role. But thank God I didn't. BCC not only taught me that it takes a lot of hard work and practice to "be good" at singing, but also allowed me to make some amazing friends during a lonely first year of homeschooling. I'll always appreciate that I got to be a part some of the great things that we did." - Daniel Finkelstein
"Throughout the seven years I spent with BCC, I performed countless pieces of music. Some I adored, some I tolerated, but all contributed to my musical education- and I remember many of them to this day, although I have not been a member of the group for four years now. The one that sticks out the most in my mind, however, is "Bist du bei mir." I will never forget the trauma my third-grade mind faced when the realization dawned that I needed to memorize a song in a whole new language just to become a member of the group. How on earth would I survive the rest if auditioning was so hard? But it was surprisingly easy for me. I listened to Karla's cd's religiously, and I learned quickly that it was no harder to memorize a song in a different language than it was to memorize something in English. And I never forgot that song, neither the music nor the words.
The strongest memory I have from my time in the Bach Children's Chorus is singing Bist du bei mir with a few other older members to a group of potential new members at an information session. Many of their faces echoed the emotions I'd felt at the idea of learning that piece, just as an audition. Afterward, I got a chance to speak with a few of them, and I made sure to reinforce that I had felt so afraid of that song, that I had broken down and told my mom there was no way I could audition. But I tried, and I learned it, and I got in. And I stayed in, because I loved having the privilege of singing such beautiful music with so many talented kids." - Elizabeth Rossborough
"I'll never forget the first time I heard the BCC's audition tape (or EBCC as it was called then-- I must be getting old). As soon as I realized I'd have to learn a German song, I threw myself on the couch in tears. I was sure I couldn't do it, ever! But (thanks in large part to Karla's extremely helpful recordings) I managed to learn Bist Du Bei Mir, and even today I get a little emotional when I hear it. Over my (many) years in BCC I learned songs in a lot of different languages, and BCC fostered a love of languages in me that continues to this day. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the chance to be exposed in my early years to music and language through BCC, and I'm so glad to see it's around to celebrate 25 years-- congratulations, and thank you so very much!" - Chelsea Wiggins
"I have so many wonderful memories of singing with the Bach Children's chorus! I loved performing in Handel's Messiah-- Even now when I hear the hallelujah chorus, I am immediately taken back to my BCC days and the thrill of participating in such a masterful piece of music!
Singing in the Nutcracker is another highlight that I am reminded of each time I go to Nutcracker performances each Christmas season... Nothing can quite compare to the magic of hearing live children singing instead of synthesized voices!
I am proud to be a part of the BCC alumni, and will always cherish memories of singing with the choir as well as watching my younger siblings experience the same thing I did!
Bist du bei mir and Come Unto Him will be forever favorites :) Karla, thank you for sharing your talents and for believing in all of us as children." - Alisha Bishop
"Great trips to NYC and Philadelphia, Saturday morning small group rehearsals around the piano with Karla at Eastman!" - Tim Auerhahn