Bach & Mozart - West Marin Ensemble & Instrumental Society

Join us for a lovely afternoon of Bach and Mozart. The program starts with the dazzling and uplifting Overture to Mozart's opera, The Abduction from the Seraglio. From there, our community orchestra plays Bach's ethereal Air from his Orchestral Suite No. 3 Pianist Jim Stopher headlines with our chamber orchestra playing Mozart's D Minor Concerto. Jim Stopher maintains an active career as a conductor, pianist, composer, and educator. At the College of Marin, he conducts the Symphony Orchestra and teaches classes in theory and musicianship. Enthusiastic about bringing music to residents of Marin County, Jim frequently appears as a recitalist and concerto soloist; recent performances have been with the Mill Valley Philharmonic, the Marin Symphony Youth Orchestra, and the Lucas Valley Chamber Orchestra. In 2023, he made his conducting debut with the Dallas Chamber Symphony, leading the orchestra in the finals of the inaugural Dallas International Violin Competition. He returned in 2024 and 2026 to conduct for the Dallas International Piano Competition. Recently Jim wrote Finger Fitness for Pianists, a wide-ranging book of 200 exercises to help pianists stay in shape, avoid injury, and sound their best. He is also the editor of 100 Hymns in Open Score and J.S. Bach: 100 Chorales in Open Score, two texts to aid rehearsal pianists, choral directors, and singers. Jim studied music theory and composition at Harvard University (BA), piano and conducting at the University of Arizona (MM), and orchestral conducting at the Peabody Conservatory (DMA). His original piano music can be heard on his 2018 album Tonal Recall. jimstopher.com