Youth performer Lauren Chesoa and Connie Weiner, music instructor and owner of The Strings Studio, tune Chesoa’s instrument before her performance at a youth recital and art exhibition hosted as part of Bachfest Marquette. The recital took place Saturday at the Marquette Arts & Culture Center. (Journal photo by Trinity Carey)

MARQUETTE — Marquette Area Public Schools students celebrated the work of composer Johann Sebastian Bach Saturday by performing his pieces and presenting artwork influenced by his music at a youth recital and art exhibition.

The event — which was the second to last installment of Bachfest Marquette, a season-long celebration of classical music and the legacy of Bach — took place at the Marquette Arts & Culture Center at the Peter White Public Library and featured both piano and string instrument performances. Between performances, attendees could browse various paintings and artwork while listening to Bach’s music in MAPS art teacher Jake Fether’s classroom.

Local musician and festival coordinator Nancy Railey, was curious to see the impact of Bach’s music when creating.

“I think you can see that there are elements in the visual art that you can hear in the music: lines, colors, some of them are darker looking because a few keys of the pieces were in minor keys — so the art really does reflect a different aspect of the music,” Railey said.

The event also gave the students a chance to share their hard work over the last few months with the public, Railey added.

“It’s so important, because they are the ones who have been actually learning his music from scores,” Railey said. “I think to play Bach is more difficult than playing other composers, and I’m so proud of them for working on these pieces with their teachers.”

As BachFest begins to wrap up, Railey is grateful the festival was able to occur and many were able to celebrate and learn about Bach, who is so fundamental to great musicianship, she said.

“It’s just been a dream come true,” Railey said. “At times, there have been some difficult moments, but everyone has been so wonderful. All the performers were just so generous to take part in this. I’m very happy.”

The final BachFest installment will take place at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 15 and at 3 p.m. Dec, 16, with a performance of Bach’s Magnificat from the Marquette Choral Society at St. Peter Cathedral.

For more information, visit BachFest Marquette on marquette365.com.

Trinity Carey can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 243.