Audition for The Bach Choir of Bethlehem
Auditions Now Held Year-Round!
Please check this page for updates and email Dr. Christopher Jackson to schedule your audition: cjackson@bach.org
Celebrating our 125th Anniversary Season!
The Bach Choir of Bethlehem is the oldest Bach Choir in the United States, and gave the first American performances of Bach’s Mass in B Minor and the Christmas Oratorio. Since its founding in 1898, The Choir has been attracting thousands of national and international visitors every May to its annual Bethlehem Bach Festival.
Our Choir members love music – and come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some of them are in their 20’s … a few are in their 70’s and the rest are in between! Their lifestyles, professions and activities may differ but their musical connections are identical: a commitment to hard work and excellence – to deliver a season of glorious music to our audiences.
Audition for Chris Jackson, artistic director and conductor
The audition consists of each singer performing one or two songs or arias of contrasting nature (your choice), some vocalization, and sight-reading. An accompanist is provided. If you have any questions about the audition process, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We highly encourage you to sign up!
Choral Scholars Program:
High School vocalists are encouraged to audition for our Choral Scholars program. High school seniors who would like to join us as Choral Scholars for the coming season will have an amazing year of musical training and an unforgettable experience. The audition for the Choral Scholars is the same as the adult choir.
** NEW!** Collegiate Choral Scholars – we are especially excited to welcome college students to audition for The Choir. The connections our singers make with professional musicians, music educators, and local choir members are truly life-changing. Those looking for a unique musical experience or to help prepare themselves to enter the world of professional music as a performer, conductor, or educator should strongly consider auditioning. Contact Dr. Christopher Jackson for more information. cjackson@bach.org
2022-2023 Season:
During this upcoming season, the Choir will perform at the following concerts: Christmas (2) | Family Concert | Spring Concert | 115th Bethlehem Bach Festival (2 weekends)
Choir members also have the option to perform at our weekday Bach at Noon Concerts, held ten times a year in Bethlehem and Allentown, and at our Bach to School assemblies, presented during the academic year at schools in our region.
Click Repertoire to read more about the concerts planned for this season.
Auditions take place at The Choir’s office in Historic Downtown Bethlehem:
Heckewelder House
440 Heckewelder Place
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Rehearsal Schedule:
Choir rehearsals take place on Monday evenings throughout the season at 7:30 pm in the Fellowship Hall of the First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem.
Complete season rehearsal schedule will be available at your audition.
2023 Zimmermann's Coffee House Audition
The Coffee House will be one of the events at the 115th Bethlehem Bach Festival in May 2023. College and high school students may audition on February 18th & 25th, 1:00pm – 5:00pm at The Bach Choir Office located at 440 Heckewelder Place, Bethlehem PA 18018. Auditions are open to individuals and ensembles who play or sing Baroque music. The judges are Dr. Christopher Jackson Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s Artistic Director and Conductor; Larry Lipkis, professor of music and Composer-in-Residence at Moravian University; David Macbeth with Lehigh Valley Charter High School for the Arts; and Leela Breithaupt, Bach Choir of Bethlehem’s Executive Director. Final auditions / dress rehearsal will take place on Saturday, April 29 (Time is TBD) at Peter Hall, Moravian University.
Eligibility requirements:
- Baroque and classical era music for solo instruments, voices or ensembles. We encourage a variety of 17th and 18th century music, including music from generation of Bach’s sons.
- Please prepare 5 – 7 minutes of music
- If your audition selection requires an accompanist, one can be provided.
- Letter of Recommendation from your teacher
To schedule an audition, please call or email Alexis Van Billiard at 610-866-4382 Ext. 110, alexis@bach.org .
Audition for The Bel Canto Youth Chorus
Founded in 1993 and and celebrating our 30th Anniversary Season, The Bel Canto Youth Chorus is comprised of auditioned treble singers, and has developed an international reputation for performing diversified choral repertoire at the highest standard of musical excellence and style.
Auditions for all choirs (ages 8-17)
We are currently seeking singers who thrive on taking a “deep dive” into the music they are singing, including historical context, relevance to contemporary issues, and of course, solid musical and vocal training. Some highlights:
- The 2020-21 Stand Up program has provided a foundation for our participation next fall in a special conference focused specifically on African American Choral Music, Bent But Not Broken, in Wilmington, DE.
- Our 2021-22 season culminated in a performance of Bach’s Saint Matthew Passion at the 114th Bethlehem Bach Festival.
- Our summer travel in June 2022 extended the focus of our Stand Up program, as we joined with youth choirs from Washington DC and Wilmington DE in a tour that traced Harriet Tubman’s journey from Maryland to her home in Auburn, NY.
These wide-ranging musical experiences create intelligent and expressive singing musicians. Our holistic approach to choral instruction is ideal for any child who loves to sing and is seeking musical enrichment. Our in-person rehearsals will continue to observe the most current, researched-based recommendations for any COVID-19 safety protocols.
Learn more about auditioning for Bel Canto Youth Chorus by clicking HERE.
In-person auditions are held in historic downtown Bethlehem at The Bach Choir Office:
440 Heckewelder Place
Bethlehem, PA 18018
Auditions are low-key and very welcoming! To speak to someone about Bel Canto, please contact us at 610-866-4342, ext. 116, or email belcanto@bach.org. For Tuition and Fees information, please click here.