BETHLEHEM, Pa. — The Bach Choir of Bethlehem, a cornerstone of American classical music and choral heritage, has officially unveiled its eagerly anticipated 2026–27 concert season. This landmark year carries profound significance for the organization as it marks the fifth anniversary of Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Jackson at the helm. Balancing timeless masterpieces with visionary contemporary commissions, regional science collaborations, and an unprecedented international spotlight, the upcoming season positions the historic ensemble not only as a guardian of Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental legacy, but as a vibrant, forward-thinking cultural ambassador.
The 2026–27 roster of events spans ambitious holiday celebrations, multi-disciplinary educational partnerships, rigorous vocal competitions, youth programming, and a historic pilgrimage to Germany for the tercentenary of the St. Matthew Passion.
Executive Overview: A Landmark Year Under Christopher Jackson
As Christopher Jackson enters his fifth season as Artistic Director and Conductor, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem continues to redefine what it means to be a historic arts organization in the 21st century. Under Jackson’s tenure, the choir has deepened its engagement with historical performance practices while remaining fiercely committed to expanding the classical canon through contemporary works, educational outreach, and international exchange.
The 2026–27 season is constructed around a central theme of continuity and reinvention. It traces the profound ripples of Bach’s influence across centuries—from Mendelssohn’s 19th-century reinterpretations to contemporary choral compositions by Benedict Sheehan and Joby Talbot—while actively nurturing the next generation of classical vocalists through the Biennial Bach Vocal Competition and the robust programming of the Bel Canto Youth Chorus.
Furthermore, the season is underscored by a monumental global milestone: the choir’s invitation to serve as the sole North American ambassador at Leipzig’s prestigious Bachfest in June 2027. This honor cements the Bethlehem ensemble’s standing among the world’s elite interpreters of sacred baroque music.
Detailed Chronology of the 2026–27 Season
Fall 2026: Community, Competition, and Holiday Splendor
The season’s extensive community programming kicks off early with the beloved, free “Bach at Noon” series. Running from September 8, 2026, through April 13, 2027, these accessible midday concerts offer local audiences regular immersion in Bach’s cantatas and instrumental works. Performances rotate between the historic Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown, reinforcing the choir’s deep roots in the Lehigh Valley.
On October 24, 2026, the organization will host the 13th Biennial Bach Vocal Competition for American Singers, presented in collaboration with the American Bach Society. This vital national competition serves as a critical stepping stone for emerging talent. Finalists will perform before a live audience and a distinguished panel of judges comprising Christopher Jackson, celebrated mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, soprano Jessica Beebe, and keyboardist/scholar Matthew Dirst. Beyond prestige, the first-prize winner will be awarded a $3,000 career development grant and a coveted performance contract as a featured soloist with the Bach Choir in a subsequent season.
Youth and education take center stage in late autumn. On November 22, 2026, the Bel Canto Youth Chorus presents its seasonal program, “For This Joy.” The concert highlights the flexibility and technical prowess of young voices through a dynamic contemporary setting of “Lobe den Herren.”
The holiday season officially commences on December 12 and 13, 2026, with the choir’s signature Christmas celebration. This year’s program pairs the timeless jubilation of J.S. Bach’s “Jauchzet, frohlocket!” (from the Christmas Oratorio) with an exciting, contemporary musical setting of Charles Dickens’ classic “A Christmas Carol” by composer Benedict Sheehan. This juxtaposition of baroque grandeur and modern storytelling promises a deeply moving holiday experience for Lehigh Valley audiences.
Winter 2027: Science, Scholarship, and Youth Excellence
The new year opens with a focus on education and accessibility. On January 24, 2027, the choir hosts its annual Scholarship Recital. All proceeds from this event are directly funneled into supporting student access to high-level choral education, ensuring that economic barriers do not prevent talented youth from participating in the Bel Canto programs.
February brings an innovative, multi-disciplinary experience on February 20, 2027, with the Greg Funfgeld Family Concert: “Harmony of the Spheres.” Presented in creative collaboration with the neighboring Da Vinci Science Center, the program explores the fascinating intersections of music, astronomy, and physics. Audiences will be treated to ethereal choral interpretations of Eric Whitacre’s “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine” and “Goodnight Moon,” bridging the gap between artistic expression and scientific inquiry.
The winter schedule concludes with the Spring Concert on March 21, 2027, featuring a performance of Joby Talbot’s mesmerizing and structurally immense “Path of Miracles.” A contemporary a cappella choral work that traces the physical and spiritual journey of the Camino de Santiago, Talbot’s piece demands immense stamina and nuance from the ensemble.
Spring 2027: The 119th Bethlehem Bach Festival
The undisputed crown jewel of the regional cultural calendar arrives May 13–16, 2027, with the staging of the 119th Bethlehem Bach Festival. For over a century, this festival has drawn music lovers, scholars, and critics from across the globe to the Lehigh Valley.
The 119th edition will meticulously trace Bach’s monumental influence across generations. The multi-day festival features a rich tapestry of instrumental performances, intimate chamber concerts, large-scale choral masterpieces, and enlightening pre-concert conversations led by prominent Bach scholars.
A major highlight of the festival will be a performance of Felix Mendelssohn’s historically significant 1841 adaptation of J.S. Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion,” shedding light on how the Romantic era rediscovered and reinterpreted baroque masterpieces. This will be complemented by a transcendent performance of Bach’s monumental “Mass in B Minor.”
To execute these demanding masterworks, the festival has assembled an extraordinary roster of guest soloists, including acclaimed sopranos Sherezade Panthaki and Katelyn Grace Jackson, celebrated mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, dynamic tenor James Reese, and commanding bass-baritone Edmund Milly.
Summer 2027: International Ambassadorship in Leipzig
The 2026–27 season reaches its crescendo in June 2027 (dates TBA) when The Bach Choir of Bethlehem embarks on an extraordinary international journey. The choir has been selected as the sole North American ambassador to participate in a multinational performance commemorating the 300th anniversary of the St. Matthew Passion at the legendary Bachfest Leipzig in Germany.
Performing the masterwork in the very city where Bach lived and worked—and where the St. Matthew Passion was first premiered in 1727—represents the ultimate validation of the Bethlehem choir’s artistic rigor. It is a rare and historic distinction that places the American ensemble on the world’s most revered baroque stage.
Supporting Context, Metrics, and Community Impact
Founded in 1898, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem holds a unique place in American musical history. It was the first American choir to perform Bach’s Mass in B Minor in its entirety (1900) and the Christmas Oratorio (1901). Over a century later, the organization maintains a multi-faceted operational footprint that extends far beyond its major festival dates.
- The Bel Canto Youth Chorus: Serving children and teenagers across the region, Bel Canto provides rigorous vocal training, fostering confidence, discipline, and community. Their season includes collaborative concerts, such as their spring finale, “A Garden Path,” performed alongside student partners from the Wilson Area School District on April 11, 2027.
- Economic and Cultural Footprint: The Bethlehem Bach Festival alone draws thousands of tourists to the Lehigh Valley annually, injecting vital revenue into local hospitality, dining, and retail sectors.
- Educational Outreach: Programs like the “Bach at Noon” series and the Biennial Bach Vocal Competition ensure that classical music remains free, accessible, and actively supportive of the next generation of American professional singers.
Future Outlook: Looking Beyond the Tercentenary
As The Bach Choir of Bethlehem looks toward the horizon, the 2026–27 season serves as a vital bridge between centuries of heritage and the future of choral art. By combining the rigorous scholarship required to perform Mendelssohn’s adaptation of the St. Matthew Passion with the fresh, narrative-driven energy of Benedict Sheehan’s A Christmas Carol and Joby Talbot’s Path of Miracles, the organization proves that early music is not a static museum piece, but a living, breathing art form.
The upcoming pilgrimage to Leipzig in June 2027 will not only honor three centuries of musical history but will also project the artistic excellence of the Lehigh Valley onto the global stage. Under the steady and visionary leadership of Christopher Jackson, The Bach Choir of Bethlehem enters its fifth consecutive year of his tenure stronger, more ambitious, and more globally relevant than ever before.
Subscription packages, festival tickets, and individual event registrations for the 2026–27 season will be made available through the official website of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem.
