The Bach Choir of Bethlehem Unveils 2026-27 Season
By Afton MarkayThe Bach Choir of Bethlehem announces its 2026-27 season, marking Artistic Director and Conductor Christopher Jackson’s fifth season.
Concert Season
The Christmas celebration features J.S. Bach’s “Jauchzet, frohlocket!” and a new musical setting of “A Christmas Carol” by Benedict Sheehan.
Performance Dates: Dec. 12 & 13, 2026
The Greg Funfgeld Family Concert “Harmony of the Spheres” is presented in collaboration with Da Vinci Science Center. The program explores the intersection of music, science and space with Eric Whitacre’s “Leonardo Dreams of His Flying Machine” and “Goodnight Moon.”
Performance Date: Feb. 20, 2027
The Spring Concert features Joby Talbot’s “Path of Miracles.”
Performance Date: March 21, 2027
119th Bethlehem Bach Festival
This year’s Festival follows Bach’s influence across generations with instrumental performances, chamber concerts, choral concerts, and conversations with leading scholars. There will be performances of Mendelssohn’s 1841 adaptation of “St. Matthew Passion” and Bach’s “Mass” in B Minor. Soloists include sopranos Sherezade Panthaki and Katelyn Grace Jackson, mezzo-soprano Meg Bragle, tenor James Reese, and bass-baritone Edmund Milly.
Performance Dates: May 13-16, 2027
Tour
The Choir will serve as the sole North American ambassador in a multinational performance commemorating the 300th anniversary of the St. Matthew Passion at Bachfest Leipzig.
Performance Date: June 2027 (TBA)
Bel Canto and Community Events
The free “Bach at Noon” series takes place at Central Moravian Church in Bethlehem and St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in Allentown.
Performance Dates: Sept. 8, 2026 – April 13, 2027
The 13th “Biennial Bach Vocal Competition for American Singers” takes place in collaboration with the American Bach Society. Finalists will perform in front of a live audience and judges Christopher Jackson, Meg Bragle, Jessica Beebe, and Matthew Dirst. The first-prize winner will receive a $3,000 career development grant and an opportunity to perform as a soloist with the Bach Choir in a future season.
Performance Date: Oct. 24, 2026
The Bel Canto Youth Chorus presents “For This Joy” which features a contemporary setting of “Lobe den Herren.”
Performance Date: Nov. 22, 2026
The annual Scholarship Recital is next. Proceeds support access to choral education.
Performance Date: Jan. 24, 2027
Bel Canto concludes its season with “A Garden Path” joined by collaborative partners from the Wilson Area School District.
Performance Date: April 11, 2027
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