Bach: Cantata BWV 96 / Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn

Janelle Wagoner, originally from Chattanooga, graduated from Valparaiso University in May 2018 with a major in electrical engineering and a minor in music. While at Valpo, Janelle played in the Chamber Concert Band as the principal horn. She also founded the university’s STEM Woodwind Ensemble, Woodwind Quintet, and Low Brass Quintet. Janelle is currently employed in Chattanooga at Mesa Associates, Inc. as a Substation Protection and Control Engineer.

Janelle began singing in the Church of the Good Shepherd Cherub Choir in Kindergarten and has been singing in church and the Chattanooga area since. Janelle became a member of the royal School of Church Music in America in 2007, at the age of 11, and received the prestigious RSCM Gold Award in 2016. She joined the Chattanooga Bach Choir during its 2018-19 season.

Sara Snider Schone holds a degree in bassoon performance but is most regularly seen onstage as a lyric mezzo. She is a frequent soloist for concert and oratorio works across the Southeast in works such as Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, Mozart’s Coronation Mass, and Mozart’s Mass in C Minor. Her true passion is for opera, with recent roles as Santuzza in Cavalleria Rusticana, Donna Elvira in Don Giovanni, and the Secretary in The Consul. Sara is a champion for new works and has most recently been involved with Tim Hinck’s Cardboard Opera, which was created and performed at Walker State Prison in January 2023. Sara Snider Schone is the Founder and Artistic Director for Opera Tennessee, which produces both full operas and the open mic series Divas and Drinks. She is Executive Director for the Chattanooga Girls Choir and in her spare time enjoys working with The Chattanooga Music Club, Chorus Angelorum, Symphonic Tales, and Scenic City Bassoon Ensemble in various capacities. Sara lives in Chattanooga with her German Shepherd mix appropriately named Figaro.

American tenor Christopher Tenor Christopher Reames enjoys an engaging career as a concert artist and recitalist. He is a recent finalist in national competitions with the Joy in Singing, NY Oratorio Society, Art Song Preservation Society of NY, and NATS organizations. Christopher has performed operatic roles in Oberon, Lucia di Lammermoor, The Turn of the Screw, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Zaide, and Die Zauberflöte. Concert performances include The Creation, Elijah, Messiah, J. S. Bach’s Magnificat, Christmas Oratorio, St. John and St. Matthew Passions, as well as several sacred cantatas, often with the Chattanooga Bach Choir. Christopher is a former fellowship recipient at the Tanglewood and Aspen Music Festivals. Visit christopherreames.com for more.

After graduating in 2010 from UTC with a major in vocal performance, Zach earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Louisville in 2012. From 2012 to 2015 Zach sang opera and oratorio with Kentucky Opera and the Louisville Master Chorale. In 2015, Zach moved back to Chattanooga and started working at Unum in the Short-Term Disability department. He still sings professionally on occasion and is grateful for another opportunity to sing with the Chattanooga Bach Choir.