Everybody Sing 'Ah!'

:: Heartfelt notes from youth

:: Donation inspires change

:: Program encourages excellence

:: Youth passion for classical music

:: Read entire story

But it’s not just about stellar performances or star soloists. “This is more than just making music for simple, naïve, artistic excellence,” says Armstrong. “It’s about producing music and art so that it transforms lives. It builds bridges. It makes us better human beings.” A handful of youth programs in the U.S. offer this level of vocal training and performance, but most are all about solo performances. Few emphasize the ensemble experience, or community, as the Stangeland Family Youth Choral Academy does.

“What I think is so distinctive about the Oregon Bach Festival,” says Armstrong, “and the thing I’ve been drawn to is, first of all, this is really a family. We expect them to reach the highest level of excellence they can—not for selfish reasons, but to become better people and to share a musical experience that enriches others. They walk away from these ten days as stronger and better people. It’s not second-class citizenship to be in an ensemble. I think this is unique, and part of what Maestro [Helmuth] Rilling [Bach Festival artistic director] has talked about for years, building community.”