Welcome to The  LutheranChurch of the Incarnate Word. Tonight we are honored to celebrate 30 Years of Music in the City - our Anniversary celebration of the Music Series, begun in the 1980-1981 season.

We are privileged to welcome back the former Music Directors from the past 30 years, in addition to members of the current music leadership.   

Richard (Rick) Erickson served at Incarnate Word from 1980 until 1992, and while in 

Rochester he taught at the Eastman School of Music. He received his Bachelor's Degree from the University of Wisconsin, Superior, and a Master's from the Eastman School of Music, in addition to the Performer's Certificate.  

Since  1992, he has served as Cantor and Organist at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. During his tenure, he brought Bach cantatas and other works to life in the context of worship through the Bach Vespers at Holy Trinity. 

In 1994 he founded BachWorks in New York, and he has recently conducted Bach events in Houston, Seattle, Tulsa, and Minneapolis. 

James E. (Jamie) Bobb is the Minister of Music at The First Congregational Church in 

Columbus, Ohio. Jamie holds a bachelor's degree of music in piano and organ performance from Capital University, and two master of music degrees from the Eastman School of Music. 

He joined First Church in June 2009 after serving as director of music at Incarnate Word since 1994. Under his direction the Senior Choir performed Johann Sebastian Bach's Passion according to St. John in 2001, and in 2002 they toured Sweden. 

Jamie was an Adjunct Professor of Organ at Nazareth College and Instructor in Sacred Music at Eastman. 

At the harpsichord, he has performed Bach's Goldberg Variations in Rochester, Boston, and Baltimore. He has appeared as soloist, conductor, and continuo player with Pegusus Early Music, The Publick Musick, and Rochester Bach Festival. Jamie is also known for his hymn festivals. 

Michael Unger has been the Director of Music at Incarnate Word since October 2009. 

Originally from Toronto, Canada, he has been in Rochester since 2002 where he has been pursuing Masters' and Doctorate degrees in organ and harpsichord at the Eastman School of Music, and was formerly the Director of Music at South Presbyterian Church. He currently teaches Eastman's graduate organ literature seminar classes. As an organist, he has been a prize winner in numerous national and international competitions,  

including First Prizes at the 2008 American Guild of Organists' National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, and the 2008 International Organ Competition in Tokyo- Musashino. He performs extensively in North America and in international venues. 

Elizabeth (Bess) Phillips has been section leader/soloist at The Lutheran Church of the Incarnate Word since 1996. 

Her versatile repertoire ranges from early music to contemporary opera and avant garde. She appears as soloist for various performing groups in the western New York area, and has been a featured soloist for The Britt Music Festival 

in Medford, OR and the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. Her versatile style is also evident in her work with the a cappella trio, F'loom, which performs and teaches throughout the U.S. , Canada , and in Europe. 

Lisa K. Frauens is a professional flutist and teacher who performs extensively as a soloist and chamber musician. Our string ensemble is comprised of local professional musicians and teachers, representing some of the finest baroque players in Rochester.