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Special Events
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Bach Collegium San Diego Nation

Nation is a collabo-
rative vocal band from
Minneapolis/St. Paul,
MN, pioneered by com-
poser/performers Joce-
lyn Hagen and Timothy
C. Takach. Blurring the
lines of pop, classical, a
cappella, singer/song-
writer, folk, and many other genres, Nation’s sound de-

fi es definition and commands attention from the stage.

Pioneers in their field of composing, entrepreneurship,
Founded in 2003 by artistic director Ruben Valenzuela, coaching youth and adults, and leading ensembles in the
Bach Collegium San Diego diversifies musical off erings spirit of collaboration, Takach and Hagen inspire choral

in the San Diego community and presents a wide vari- educators to stretch outside the box with rehearsal strat-
ety of historically significant works. The organization egies, programming ideas, improvisation, co-teaching,

engages many of the country’s finest singers and instru- and crafted experiences to honor and balance tradition

mentalists to bring world-class music to the greater San and innovation in these fast-paced times.
Diego area. Bach Collegium San Diego’s excellent pro-
gramming and exemplary talent have made it one of the Timothy C. Takach frequently works with youth and
premier early music ensembles on the West Coast and adults as a composer-in-residence, conductor, presenter,
one of the most dynamic ensembles in the United States. clinician, and lecturer. Applauded for his melodic lines
and rich, intriguing harmonies, Takach has received
Ruben Valenzuela is the founder and artis- numerous commissions and performances. Takach is
tic director of Bach Collegium San Diego currently composer-in-residence for The Singers–Min-
(BCSD). As a conductor, keyboardist, and nesota Choral Artists. He studied music composition at
musicologist, he has led BCSD in notable St. Olaf College, Northfi eld, MN, where he graduated
performances of music of the Renaissance, with honors.
early and high Baroque, early Classical period, as well as
music of the twentieth century. Valenzuela is regularly Jocelyn Hagen composes music that has been described
called upon as a guest speaker on an array of musical as “simply magical” (Fanfare Magazine) and “dramat-
topics encompassing music aesthetics, Mexican cathe- ic and deeply moving” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis/
dral music, music and rhetoric, and the music of J. S. St. Paul). She is a pioneer in the fi eld of composition,
Bach. Valenzuela holds a PhD in musicology from Cla- pushing the expectations of musicians and audiences
remont Graduate University and is also the director of with large-scale multimedia works, electro-acoustic mu-
music and organist of All Souls’ Episcopal Church, San sic, dance, opera, and publishing. Hagen’s commissions
Diego. include Conspirare, the Minnesota Opera, the Minne-
sota Orchestra, the International Federation of Choral
Music, Minnesota ACDA, Georgia ACDA, Connecti-
cut ACDA, Texas ACDA, and the North Dakota Music
Teachers Association.

120 CHORAL JOURNAL January 2022 Volume 62 Number 5