“Bach on BART” 2023: Free Classical Concerts (Oakland)

Every year for Bach’s birthday a spontaneous, global community of musicians unites to sow the seeds for future generations of classical music lovers and share their joy and inspiration for their art form.

There are four core elements to Bach in the Subways performances, per the organization’s website:

1. The music of J.S. Bach is performed anywhere, anytime.
2. The performance is open & accessible to all – a musical gift for anyone who wants to hear it.
3. No admission fee is required, no money is accepted by the performers, and no other commercial transactions occur immediately before, during, or after the performance.
4. No musician is ever charged to perform for Bach in the Subways.

BART has been participating in Bach in the Subways since 2015. In the time since, dozens of musicians young and old have performed throughout our system, bringing joy – and gorgeous melodies – to riders, some of whom may have never heard Bach performed live.

The first performers to take the proverbial stage for BART’s Bach in the Subways lineup were members of the Junior Bach Festival, a Berkeley-based nonprofit that champions the study and performance of the German Baroque composer’s music for young musicians.

“We are a volunteer organization that brings together audiences, teachers, families, performers, and the public for the enjoyment of Bach’s music,” said Lisa Grodin, Junior Bach Music Director. “Professional judges select the performers through supportive, unbiased auditions, and no one is turned away from any offerings for lack of funds.”

Bach in the Subways performances will be held at BART stations through March 31. Visit bachinthesubways.org/san-francisco for the dates and locations of upcoming performances.

SAN FRANCISCO PERFORMANCES

KJ Focus
Powell BART Station, Powell Street, San Francisco, CA, USA
March 21, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Solo
INSTRUMENT: Saxophonist
PROGRAM: All of them

Musicians from the Junior Bach Festival
Downtown Berkeley BART Plaza, Shattuck Avenue, Berkeley, CA, USA
March 21, 2023 | 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Soloists and ensembles from the Junior Bach Festival
INSTRUMENT: Winds, strings, voice, mixed ensembles
PROGRAM: Various!
WEBSITE: http://juniorbach.org

Erik Bell
Rockridge BART Plaza, Keith Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA
March 23, 2023 | 3:50 PM – 5:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Solo
INSTRUMENT: Guitar
PROGRAM: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring (’cause you gotta), Various Prelude, Minuets and stuff

Eliott Jacob
El Cerrito Del Norte BART, Cutting Boulevard, El Cerrito, CA, USA
March 25, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 12:15 PM
PERFORMANCE: Solo
INSTRUMENT: Piano
PROGRAM: Invention #1, Invention #8

prism
Rockridge BART Plaza, Keith Avenue, Oakland, CA, USA
March 25, 2023 | 1:00 PM – 2:30 PM
PERFORMANCE: Quartet
INSTRUMENT: Violin & 3 cellos

Alina’s Music Studio
Journey Downtown, Main Street, Vacaville, CA, USA
March 26, 2023 | 1:30 PM – 2:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Other
INSTRUMENT: Violin ensemble

Stacy Hughes
Dublin / Pleasanton BART Station, Owens Drive, Pleasanton, CA, USA
March 28, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Solo
INSTRUMENT: Violin
PROGRAM: Various pieces by Bach

Larry Ferrara and David Melamed, guitar duo
Glen Park BART Station, Diamond Street, San Francisco, CA, USA
March 28, 2023 | 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Duet
WEBSITE: http://www.musicappreciation.com

Joe Trombone
Berkeley, CA, USA
March 31, 2023 | 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
PERFORMANCE: Solo