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The American conductor and organist, Ruben Valenzuela, studied music at Loma Linda University (B.Mus in Church Music & Organ) and San Diego State University (M.A Musicology), and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Musicology & Historical Performance Practices at Claremont Graduate University.
Ruben Valenzuela is Founder & Music Director of the Bach Collegium San Diego. Under his direction, the ensemble made its debut in 2003 with landmark period instrument performances of J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion (BWV 245) in collaboration with the Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra. He has led the Bach Collegium San Diego in varied and diverse programs encompassing the music of the Renaissance, early and high Baroque, through German motets of the 19th century. In 2008, he led the first San Diego period instrument performance of J.S. Bach's B minor Mass (BWV 232) to high acclaim. As such, he has been influential in bringing historically informed performances of 17th and 18th century music to the San Diego music community. In 2008, he led members of the Bach Collegium San Diego on their second international tour to the XVI Festival Internacional del Órgano Barroco [Mexico City] including a performance in Mexico City Cathedral. This past November, he returned to this festival with performances in Zamora, Michoacán and Mexico City.
Ruben Valenzuela’s early music credits include collaborations with the Los Angeles Baroque Orchestra, Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra, working with many of this country’s leading early music specialists and most recently working with Richard Egarr of the Academy of Ancient Music, UK on George Frideric Handel’s Theodora. Other recent engagements include guest conducting the San Diego Chamber Orchestra [Orchestra Nova] in their 2009 performances of Haydn’s Creation. From 1998 to 2001, he took up music research at CENIDIM [Centro Nacional de Investigación, Documentación e Información Musical, Carlos Chavez] with a focus on the genesis and transmission of the Libro que contiene onze partidos del M. Dn. Joseph de Torres culminating in a series of lectures and an article in Heterofonia. He also serves as Director of Music/Organist at St Peter's Church, Del Mer, California.
Ruben Valenzuela is a versatile musician who is in high demand as a conductor, organist, harpsichordist, musicologist, and continuo player, and is highly regarded for performances that combine scholarship and an inspired musicianship. Currently, he is involved in preliminary research for a doctoral dissertation in the field of Novo-hispanic music. |
