Students of Olivet University's Jubilee College of Music attended a master class by Bach specialist Jeffrey Thomas at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

Jeffrey Thomas, Artistic and Music Director of the American Bach Soloists, conversed with JCM students after the master class, giving thoughtful inspiration on Bach and his music. 

"As a church musician, J.S. Bach thought that he was a theologian more than a musician," explained Thomas. "After he passed away, more than 80 theology books were found on his bookshelf. He had made a lot of notes on those theology books. He always had [a] message to deliver."

Jubilee student Xin Li, shared after the conversation. "I felt the conductor had a very deep perspective on the baroque works. I also realized how important it is to understand composer's life and philosophy in order to understand their music," said Li. 

With the American Bach Soloists, Thomas has directed and conducted recordings of more than 25 cantatas, the Mass in B Minor, Musical Offering, motets, chamber music, and works by Schütz, Pergolesi, Vivaldi, Haydn, and Beethoven.