Instructor to conduct concert in Germany

David Kassler

Echo staff report

Rochester Community and Technical College’s Interim Choir and Band Instructor and Conductor, Dr. David Kassler, will be traveling to Wittenberg, Germany, to conduct a special concert with the Rochester Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Choir as part of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation.

Kassler and the Good Shepherd choir will be joined by the Wittenberg Castle Church Chamber Choir. The combined choirs will perform on Oct. 8 in the Castle Church

With roots dating back to the 15th century, The Wittenberg Castle Church is said to be the church where Martin Luther posted his famous “Ninety-five Theses” in 1517. Luther is a pivotal figure in the Protestant Reformation, and as such, was excommunicated from the Catholic Church by Pope Leo X in January 1521.

Aside from teaching music and directing the RCTC bands and choirs, Kassler is also director of music at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Rochester.

Kassler assumed the interim director position of RCTC’s director of bands and choirs when Chuck Blattner, longtime RCTC music instructor and conductor, retired earlier this year