A tradition of excellence. Warm & welcoming ensembles. Comprehensive programming.

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2025-2026 Season Registration Available HERE

Programs Available for Students of All Ages

The Bel Canto Youth Chorus of The Bach Choir of Bethlehem provides opportunities for excellence in choral education and performance where all are welcome. Musicianship, leadership, and community are cornerstones of our ensemble. The Bel Canto Youth Chorus currently offers three choirs, each dedicated to musical excellence, with instruction appropriate to singers’ vocal development: Da Capo Treble Choir, Youth Chorale, and Concert Choir.

In addition to our core choral ensembles, we offer exciting workshops and programs for musicians of all ages. New this year is our Bach Buddies program, a 6 week session for children in grades K, 1, and 2 emphasizing healthy, developmentally appropriate singing while introducing the basics of choral singing with simple songs, rounds, games, and more! For high school students seeking music enrichment, we offer our Spring Semester Workshops, 6 week series in special music topics including choral composition and chamber ensemble singing. Find more about our 2025-26 season offerings here: https://tr.ee/iMKVsa

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 Christopher 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!

Auditions:
August 16th, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
August 17th, 2:30 PM – 5:00 PM
August 30th, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM
August 31st, 11:00 AM – 1:30 PM

2024-2025 Season:
During this upcoming season, the Choir will perform at the following concerts: Christmas (2) | Family Concert | Spring Concert (2)| 117th Bethlehem Bach Festival
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.

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.

Choral Scholars Program

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