HOUSTON, TX (September 2, 2014) Bach Society Houston announces the engagement of Rick Erickson as its new Director, effective for the 2014-2015 season.
A native of northern Wisconsin, organist Rick Erickson served since 1992 as Cantor at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in New York City where he directed the renowned Bach Vespers series. The oldest series of its kind in the United States, the New York Times called Holy Trinity “New York’s temple to Bach” during his tenure, and under Mr. Erikson’s direction, it was regarded as perhaps the most acclaimed Bach program in the United States.
“I’m excited and honored to be named Director of Bach Society Houston, and I look forward to joining the early music scene in Houston!” said Mr. Erickson enthusiastically. He will also serve Christ the King Lutheran Church as Director of the Church Choir.
He has appeared in the United States, Germany, Sweden, Australia, and New Zealand as organ recitalist, hymn festival leader, conductor, and lecturer. Mr. Erickson has performed for conventions of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Lutheran Church Musicians, among others. A noted hymn improviser, Erickson has recorded for Naxos, JVrecordings, Deux-Elles, and Augsburg Fortress. The New Yorker has hailed his playing as epitomizing “exemplary Bach.”
Mr. Erickson holds degrees from the University of Wisconsin, Superior, and the Eastman School of Music, from which he also holds the Performer’s Certificate.
The Bach Society’s season begins on September 28 when its first event will be an Organ & Voice program to introduce Mr. Erickson to his new audience. It begins at 6:00 pm and is open to the public at no charge. The event takes place at Christ the King Lutheran Church at 2353 Rice Blvd. Mr. Erickson will play selections from J.S. Bach, Johann Krebs, Georg Böhm, and Dieterich Buxetehude on the church’s magnificent Bach organ, one similar to those that Bach himself knew and played.
Bach Society Houston was founded in 1982 for the purpose of presenting exemplary, historically-informed professional performances of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other composers in his legacy. It maintains its own choral ensemble – the Bach Choir, features some of Houston’s finest early music specialists, collaborates extensively with early music groups in the Gulf Coast area, and also presents guest ensembles and soloists from around the world.
For additional information please contact:
Laurie Hewett
713-553-4420
lhewett@bachsocietyhouston.org
www.bachsocietyhouston.org