Berkshire Bach Society Program and Offerings

The Society recognizes the unique appeal of Bach's music to contemporary audiences: rather than providing isolated musical experiences, each exposure to Bach adds another vista to a universal experience, one with which listeners develop a deep personal relationship.

In this way, we all grow in our awareness that Bach's music embodies and points to a transcendent cohesiveness and sense of meaning that ultimately encompasses music in general, a balance of freedom and order that may be available nowhere else in today's world.

"So great was the rhythmic swing, pictorial effect and overall vitality that listeners near the stage seemed in danger at times of having the music dance right into their laps. You'd think the 280-year-old set had never been played before."
~ Andrew Pincus, The Berkshire Eagle

Program and Offerings

Each year the Berkshire Bach Society produces as many as eight instrumental and choral performances. An essential part of the mission of the Society is to present the widest possible spectrum of this body of work, including both well-known instrumental works and cantatas, as well as works that are superb, but not often performed.

Our concerts are given by wonderful artists: read our pages about the Berkshire Bach Ensemble and the Berkshire Bach Singers. These musicians are joined by high-caliber professional solo vocalists as the musical offering requires.

Performances have been held in diverse locations, including the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, First Congregational Church and St. James Episcopal Church in Great Barrington, MA; Tanglewood's Ozawa Hall in Lenox, MA; and Troy Savings Bank Music Hall in Troy, NY. The recently renovated Colonial Theater in Pittsfield, MA is a new venue, which is also enabling Berkshire Bach to contribute to the revival of that city. Among the most popular annual performances are the "Messiah Sing," offered free of charge to the entire community, and the always sold-out New Year's Eve concert. Berkshire Bach audiences annually total 2,500 and are growing.

Outreach Program

Berkshire Bach Society's Youth Outreach programs aim to invigorate music instruction and appreciation among children and teenagers. Since 1993, Berkshire Bach has sent its artists and educators to the area's public schools to assist young musicians and student orchestras, as well as to widen music appreciation among youth. When possible, an important aim of the youth music outreach is preparation for the performance of a major Bach work at a Berkshire Bach concert. As we are totally committed to enhancing the musical experience of area youth, students are admitted free of charge at all Berkshire Bach performances.

Community Response

A 2007 review by Clarence Fanto of WAMC (Northeast Public Radio) indicated that "BBS is one of the most serious-minded organizations in the northeast region, and is highly respected by critics and listeners alike for its dedication to keeping the music of Bach and his contemporaries front and center." Berkshire Eagle music reviewer Andrew L. Pincus commented about an outreach program which resulted in a performance at Ozawa Hall where "one hundred and twenty students sang and played baroque works with thrilling understanding and conviction." This is what makes us a cultural imperative.