The Eastern Mennonite University/Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival  Gala Concert has become one of the most exciting and unique annual concert events in the Valley. This year’s gala, themed Shared Stories, will be a spectacular evening of warmth, brilliant music making, and joy celebrating the beauty of our unique and collective stories. The concert will feature electrifying world music, a host of exciting guest artists, beautiful choral singing, orchestra, wind band, and more. Adding to the excitement of this one-of-a kind event, international recording artist Tony Melendez will headline the evening performing classic hits and sharing his inspiring story as a guitarist born with no arms. The evening also features the world premiere of a one-of-a-kind innovative and eclectic new work “Our Story” featuring the coming together of folk and world musicians from all different styles. Some of the artists include Appalachian Trio After Jack, Ukrainian Bandurist and electric guitarist Alex Lagoda, African Soul Artist Makinto, The Harrisonburg Kurdish/American String Ensemble and more. Full of touching moments and an exciting fusion of different world music styles, this premiere is not to be missed!  This is sure to be an unforgettable night of beauty, exhilaration, community, peace, and joy. A concert this special is too good not to share with as many people as possible. Therefore, in addition to the gala, guest artist band After Jack will perform programs for over 1,000 K-8th grade students throughout the Harrisonburg and Rockingham County school system in conjunction with the Kennedy Center sponsored arts education non-profit, Any Given Child – Shenandoah Valley, which is dedicated to making the arts accessible to students throughout the region.

This event is sponsored by Everence, Any Given Child, and Virginia Mennonite Retirement Community.