Bach Fest offers many ways to hear the master.

Spend time around musicians and you will hear the most creative ways of communicating about sound. “If you can imagine a string of sausages with those little pinched places in between,” says David Gordon, Carmel Bach Festival’s education director, guiding counter tenor Jonas Laughlin in the first of six vocal master classes.

Gordon may be witty with his music analogies, but what is even more fascinating is the development of the singer’s aria after he hears it compared it to something so simple and humorous. After sitting in on one of these master classes, it is clear why this is one of Gordon’s favorite aspects of the Festival.

The classes are just some of the free events offered at the Carmel Bach Festival, and offer an opportunity to watch Gordon and the singers experiment with their pieces on a high artistic level. It’s an inspiring reminder that even the best musicians need to collaborate and practice.

After knowing these musicians for a very short time, Gordon works with those who are bold enough to be picked at in front of an audience in order to let the audience see what singers do to prepare themselves. The Carmel Bach Festival is the only program in the US that pays singers to study, coach and perform Baroque music. With the vocal master classes, Gordon’s light humor and lively interpretations helps make Baroque music more understandable.

“We have to take this music and convince the audience that it’s the most beautiful thing,” says Gordon. “It’s an unnatural act singing Bach, but we want it to appear natural.”