FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
July 18, 2005

Contact: Olivia Haine
407-646-2182

Winter Park, FL — The Bach Festival Society is pleased to announce the election of the Reverend Eric Ravndal III as President of the Board of Trustees.

As a Board Member of the Society for the past year, Ravndal brings a great wealth of expertise to this historic organization. Close friend and cousin to former President John M. Tiedtke, he has been a long-term patron of the Bach Festival family.

Ravndal received his B.A. degree from Harvard College before settling in Winter Park. He subsequently began a 13-year real-estate career which included working as managing broker for the Winter Park Land Company and operating his own real-estate firm. He then moved to Wisconsin to attend Nashotah House, a theological seminary of the Episcopal Church, earning his Master of Divinity degree. Rev. Ravndal retired after having served as an Episcopal priest for 18 years.

Joined by his wife, Sarah, who has been a member of the Bach Choir for the past seven years, Ravndal "commends the capable and dedicated staff" and looks forward to his partnership with Artistic Director Dr. John Sinclair and Executive Director Dr. Joseph Nassif.

The Bach Festival celebrates its 71st year as one of the nation's leading musical festivals and the longest running fine arts program in the state of Florida.