Berkshire Bach Society Hosts Exploration of Bach's Spirituality

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) will present the third event in its quarterly BBS Portals series, Bach and God: Troubling Voices, featuring musicologist Michael Marissen.

The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 24, at the Kellogg Music Center on the campus of Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, and at 4 p.m. on Saturday, January 25, at The Koussevitsky Arts Center at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield.

Marissen, an expert on the music and religious beliefs of Johann Sebastian Bach, will explore the foundations of the composer's spirituality and the social norms of Lutheran Germany. Drawing on his books "Bach & God and Bach Against Modernity," he will discuss revelations that shaped his understanding of Bach, with musical examples illustrating his findings. The event includes a discussion and audience Q&A hosted by BBS Artistic Director Eugene Drucker.

Tickets for Bach and God are $35 for nonmembers and $30 for BBS members. For more information, visit www.berkshirebach.org/events.

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Berkshire Athenaeum Launches Reader Leaders Program for Teens and Kids

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Berkshire Athenaeum has announced its new "Reader Leaders" program, inviting teens aged 14-18 to volunteer as reading mentors for children aged 5-8. This initiative pairs youth to read together, fostering literacy and leadership skills.

A mandatory training session for teen mentors will take place on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, at 3:30 p.m. Following the training, monthly reading sessions are scheduled for Feb. 28, March 21, and April 11, from 3:45 to 4:30 p.m. Participants will read together, enjoy crafts, and share snacks during these sessions.

Interested teens can register by picking up a form at the library's Young Adult or Children's Departments or by emailing Young Adult Librarian Vanessa Justice at vanessa@pittsfieldlibrary.org. Forms must be signed by a legal guardian.

For additional information, contact the Children's Library at (413) 499-9480, ext. 5.

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