Performers invited to join Elgin's first 'Bach Around the Clock'

In March 2018, the Concerts for a Cause Ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Elgin will host Elgin's first "Bach Around the Clock" festival to support the Ecker Center for Mental Health and to celebrate Bach's 333rd birthday.

The church will host a 12-hour concert of Bach's music performed by area musicians and vocalists. The performances will begin at 9 a.m. March 3 and conclude at 9 p.m. And, yes, there will be cake!

"Bach Around the Clock" is celebrated in several cities around the country. The local event is meant to recognize the genius of Bach and the amazing musical talent found in the Fox Valley while supporting our neighbors who struggle with mental illness.

All performers will be volunteer and receive an all-day pass to the concert plus other amenities.

A registration form is available at www.fumcelgin.org.

If you are interested in being a part of this special celebration, complete the form and submit it to the Concerts for a Cause Ministry. After your form is received, someone from the ministry will contact you.

The church sanctuary has a 7-foot Steinway grand piano that will be used during the festival. The sanctuary also features the Austin Pipe Organ which was built in 1924 with 20 ranks. It was rebuilt in the 1960s and expanded to 40 ranks with 3 manuals. The organ was upgraded in 2006 to 60 ranks of pipes with the addition of 150 digital ranks. The digital pipe ranks are powers by 1600 watts of power driving 37 speakers strategically placed thoughtout the sanctuary. The Rogers 4 manual organ work with existing pipe work and has an auto tuner that makes the digital pipe sounds follow the tuning of the pipes. This also applies when using one of the 1,200 midi sounds available.