On behalf of the 1891 Fredonia Opera House, I want to extend our sincerest appreciation to all those who supported the Bach & Beyond Baroque Music Festival — our 24th — in June.

Because of the support from organizations and individuals, our visiting musicians were well-housed and fed, our ticket prices remained affordable, and we were able to present world-class performances of the greatest music ever written.

Our June 1 Bach BBQ, Bake Sale and Basket Auction fund-raiser that helped support the Festival also was a tremendous success! The event netted more than $3,600 while helping to promote the Festival, which was held June 14-16. A special thank you to everyone who provided delicious baked goods for sale, to the volunteers who helped sell the baked goods and serve the BBQ lunches, to the individuals and businesses who donated baskets, to Hector and Michelle Alverio who prepared the BBQ lunches and to everyone who came to the park to purchase a lunch or dessert or take a chance on winning a basket.

Thank you to our Festival Benefactors, Concert Sponsors and contributors, to the New York State Council on the Arts for its grant support, to those who housed our Festival musicians, to those who hosted musician dinners throughout the week, and to the area media which covered the Festival and helped us spread the word. Thanks, also, to Maestro Grant Cooper and the 24 phenomenal instrumentalists and vocalists whose talents comprised the Festival programs. Finally, thank you to the more than 400 people who attended one or more of the concerts.

The Bach & Beyond Festival is the single largest programmatic undertaking for the Opera House each year, both in terms of logistics and cost. This year proved especially challenging, with the most-ever out-of-town musicians needing housing, and with several large works on the program requiring focused planning and coordination. Without the support of all those outlined above, the Festival could not be presented.

One Festival subscriber commented “we eagerly anticipate the Bach & Beyond Festival each year; and we are never disappointed. Maestro Cooper and the musicians present such marvelous performances. We can only imagine the painstaking organization and preparation that goes into presenting such a wonderful weekend!”

To all those who helped us earn such accolades, we say “Thank you!” We are privileged to operate in such a generous, supportive community!

Rick Davis is executive director of the 1891 Fredonia Opera House.